CHEYENNE - With no letup in sight to higher fuel costs, people are going to have to change their driving and travel habits, Gov. Dave Freudenthal said Wednesday.

During his regular news conference, the governor said he is concerned about the impact of high fuels costs on all segments of the population and the nation's financial health, which is on the brink of a recession if not technically in one.

The nation in the past was able to climb out of a recession through a drop in energy costs, he said. That "stepping stone" out of a recession may not exist this time.

Even if the United States moderates its demand for fuel, India and China, without some change in their national policies, will not diminish theirs.

"I don't know how long the national economy can absorb the energy costs,� the governor said. �I really like oil around $80, maybe $85. You get into this over $120, you get a ripple effect.�

The higher fuel costs will get passed through to airline passengers and small businesses and consumers in general.

Even before�the jump in gas prices, state agency officials began talking about setting up �voice-over-the Internet� for state agency people to use and cut down travel out of Cheyenne to meetings. Freudenthal said he used that technology to communicate with his daughter, Hillary, who has been working in India on health care in rural areas for a nonprofit group.

He said he also foresees the need to adjust�state travel budgets which were set when fuel prices were lower.

He reiterated his opposition to a federal tax holiday proposed by Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, and Sen. Hillary Clinton, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president.

He said it is an �opportunistic idea� that doesn't do anybody any good. While consumers may get a free half tank of gas from the three-month tax holiday, about $9 million of highway projects won't get built and thousands of construction jobs won't be filled.

In�reference to the need for people to change their habits, the governor said, �I don't know if I'm ready to give up my pickup truck, but I will drive it less and try to be more organized when I do drive it.�

Before the news conference, the governor signed a bill proclaiming May 10-18 as �National Tourism Week in Wyoming."

Diane Shober, director of the state tourism department, said�that despite high fuel costs, she is optimistic about the peak summer season, given the number of inquiries to her office.

Contact Joan Barron at joan.barron@trib.com or by phone at 307-632-1244.