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Rapidly rising fuel costs are increasing concerns among analysts that the economic recovery could be jeopardized as consumers are pinched by rising prices at the pump and for other goods.

Fuel prices have now jumped so high that we all need to pay close attention. Not that we can do much about these skyrocketing prices, except pay and grumble.

Just as the U.S. economy seems to be growing some serious muscle, international events are threatening to intervene in what has become a period of steady business improvement.

There are worrisome signs that commodities speculators are returning to the nation’s fuel markets, pushing prices higher than the normal forces of supply and demand would warrant.

President Obama’s recent announcement that he was kicking off a major effort to improve the fuel efficiency of commercial vehicles was welcome news to the trucking industry.

An economist with lots of experience in freight transportation has some interesting things to say that directly challenge the railroad industry’s extensive advertising blitz apparently aimed at convincing Americans that their way is the green way.

News Flash: Since the administration has rejected any move to raise fuel taxes, it’s incumbent on the Department of Transportation to work with Congress to select another funding source for the nation’s infrastructure needs.

There was further evidence last week of the growing link between fuel prices and Wall Street, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose above 10,000 for the first time in a year, and the price of crude oil exceeded $75 a barrel for the first time since September 2008.

Our latest little honeymoon with fuel prices likely will end soon, as recent increases in the cost of crude oil work their way down to the retail pump.