THESE DAYS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO AVOID THE STING OF RISING ENERGY COSTS. WE???VE BEEN FEELING IT AT THE GAS PUMP FOR SOME TIME AND NOW ALSO ARE COPING WITH INCREASED COSTS TO HEAT OUR HOMES. According to the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Energy Information Administration, the global demand for fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, continues to grow much faster than the supply.