51.   Congressional Republicans have criticized the Clinton administration as failing to address the soaring fuel costs.

52.   Consumers have been reluctant to switch to cleaner-burning cars and trucks because few service stations sell alcohol and the fuel costs more to use.

53.   Delta was also hindered by rising fuel costs and a separate labor dispute at its Comair regional airline.

54.   Delta was hurt less by higher fuel costs than most carriers because of an aggressive hedging program that locked in below-market prices in advance.

55.   Deregulation and competition from upstart airlines, coupled with rising fuel costs, started an economic decline.

56.   Delta also had higher fuel costs in the fourth quarter.

57.   Earnings growth was led by lower operating and fuel costs and improved output from power plants.

58.   Edwardson said he thinks fuel costs will come down slightly in the fourth quarter.

59.   Energy prices surged, raising the prospect of higher fuel costs, and rising interest rates raised concern that corporate profits could be hurt for many companies.

60.   During rate cases, fuel costs are considered along with other expenses to arrive at the final rates.