Economic Outlook

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Fuel is vitally important. For suburban communities I prefer oil heat with a full 1,000-gallon tank buried in the yard. Natural gas lines can be blown up. I don't think the difference here is great, but given the choice I would go for oil. Only a few people will be able to afford or to house their own gasoline generating plants, but where possible this is a good idea. Power failures are almost certain. Fireplaces are fine if you have a supply of wood or live in a wooded area. New woodstoves are very efficient.

TRANSPORTATION

All the means without the fuel are useless.

I expect service stations to be closed. Under these conditions, there will be a complete breakdown of truck transportation. It could last a few weeks or a few days. There is no accurate way to predict its duration.

Transportation fuel can range from ferry cans in small garages to 1,000-gallon tanks in yards, acreages, or retreats. Already it is getting late for the big tanks, at least for the filling of them. Probably you will run into times when it can be done. If you have the tank installed, I think you will get

the fuel if you are willing to pay the price. But the time is getting late ... maybe very late.

In the case of a buried tank, it should be well concealed-overgrown with lawn or garden-and the outlet should be equipped with a standby hand pump inside an adjacent building or shed, or disguised by an ornamental fixture. Tell nobody about the fuel. You will simply defeat your purpose or make enemies of those friends who have been grasshoppers instead of ants.

Everyone should have two to tour metal ferry cans (5 gallons) full. You might want to leave in a hurry at a time no service stations are operating. I realize there is a certain danger in the case of rear-end collision, but under the circumstances you will have to decide which risk you would rather take.

You should have at least one bicycle (more for families) as well as a moped, and a small Honda equipped with a carrying basket might be a great asset.

I have already dealt with the fuel situation sufficiently to make these conclusions obvious. Diesels are best, but everyone can't go out and get a diesel. Having only a gas guzzler will be bad, chaos or no chaos. Nevertheless, for those who can afford it, one big car could come in mighty handy if a family is to be moved.

It all gets down to your personal circumstances. I could wish we might prescribe the same remedy for all. But it doesn't work that way. This book is for the pragmatist. We must take things as they are, and work from there.

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