Last summer, Americans watched in disbelief as the average cost for fuel in the United States surged to a ghastly $4.11 per gallon—the peak on July 17 for regular gas—and $4.84 per gallon for diesel fuel, according to the American Automobile Association’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report. While last year’s high prices sparked a near panic, the commodity boom of 2008 turned to bust late in the year as the recession took hold. Today’s fuel prices ($2.65 per gallon average at press time) are far lower than at their 2008 peak, and this has helped rebuild confidence. However, costs once again ...