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Fuel Costs May Affect Gary, Ind., Airport Budget

Posted on: Tuesday, 6 September 2005, 18:00 CDT

Sep. 3--Gas prices aren't affecting travel at the Gary/Chicago Airport right now, but the cost of fuel means a rise in the airport budget.

"Call me Tuesday," airport director Paul Karas said, somewhat facetiously, when asked Friday about the impact of spiraling gas prices to the airport.

Karas said even if gas prices go down from here, he is anticipating at least a $10,000 increase in the budget.

"If it (the cost of gas) continues to rise, it could be a $25 to 50,000 increase," Karas said. "That doesn't even speak to natural gas used for heating the building."

The supply of fuel isn't a problem because the airport's fuel comes from supply depots in Texas and pipeline systems west of the Gulf of Mexico area ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

"But you watch the news and see spot closures of supply depots, and who knows?" Karas said. "That's where the lack of an energy policy proves to be a worry."

Like all businesses, airports have to work from plans and budgets, Karas said. Our nation, however, runs without any comprehensive energy policy.

"The administration has ordered oil to be released," Karas said. "That will make no difference to the price of aviation fuel or gas for weeks or months, if at all."

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Times, Munster, Ind.

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Source: The Times

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