$300 Oil? What opportunities will it create locally?

Oil prices have nearly touched $100 and there seems to be no end in sight for the rise of oil prices. Unless there is a serious world-wide economic downturn, I don't see how prices could come down, although lower oil prices would certainly be better for world economies.

High energy costs spark new businesses in cities
Once prices rise to a certain level, if that is indeed what happens, electricity prices may rise substantially as will gas prices for cars and natural gas prices for heating homes. One may, therefore, expect to see opportunities in electricity resale, natural gas resale, and transportation services within cities. The question is, how can these new markets be satisifed with businesses?

High energy costs and business opportunities in Waterloo, Ontario
In Waterloo, I beleive we already have electricity resale services going door to door as well as natural gas retail services. What these services will be offering at the moment is fixed hedged prices on expected future prices or fluctuations in prices. If prices rise substantially, however, I believe that we will see people, mostly higher income people, start moving on a fad basis to alternative forms of energy like solar. With regard to higher gasoline costs, we may see community cabs or co-operative motor pools develop with drivers hired by communities to keep individual transportation costs down. In the short term, however, I believe that individuals will simply pay higher gasoline bills to have the convenience of their personal cars.

The Vital Role of the Internet in the Post Oil Economy
The Internet could be a valuable tool in the introduction, if not launching, of these energy-saving services as people may go on-line to learn more about the services, compare prices, and pay for them.