If anything, this current 'crisis' is probably the best thing to happen to us. I've been saying for 15 years that if the US had to pay for gas like the Europeans did, we would've had sustainable energy platforms a decade ago. Now that it's starting to drag on the economy in a major way, and it's hitting Joe Sixpack in the wallet on a daily basis, it's time to put the spotlight on the issue.

i am a brit and i pay £0.923 per litre which works out as $6.429 per US gallon you've had it so cheap for so long that there is no incentive to conserve.
i, petrol (gas) is finite
ii, possibly it is having a green house effect (the US administration says that's nonsense and just about every other government on the planet signed up to Kyoto to limit emissions)
iii, I don't like nuclear but we have to do something now and despite the nuclear waste and all the other problems of nuclear not to mention issues of countries like Iran jumping from a power program to a weapons program. I am a tree hugger who likes his motorbike, computer, iPod and a modern industrial way of life. A modern lifestyle is very energy expensive.
iv, more refineries! cheaper gas! stick your head in the ground and pretend there's no problem
v, Or we can make some tough choices
vi, time America woke up and smelled the coffee
vii, $6.42 per gallon is slightly high by UK standards

UK fuel price reports

RE: Atlanta may run out of gas.