The spike in oil prices has hit rural Alaskans especially hard, because they rely mostly on fuel oil for heating. But some rural residents are paying more than others—at times 100% more. Alaskans who depend on fuel oil to heat their houses and generate electricity have been hit especially hard by the high and rising price of oil. Prices for the first fuel deliveries of spring 2008 have already left many Alaskans wondering how they'll pay the much higher fuel bills.

But some rural residents pay much more than others—at times 100% more. The costs of buying and refining crude oil are at the base of fuel oil prices—but what are all the other things that make fuel oil so much more expensive in some places than in others?

ISER recently studied that question. To learn what we found, see the research summary or check out our new interactive map.