In California, what price water? The largest ocean desalination in the Western Hemisphere is under construction with north of $1bn backing and 3 years until
completion. For the San Diego County, the deal comes down to paying $3 bn over
30 yrs for about 7% of the county’s water needs. The bond is rated BBB-…Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/01/business/energy-environment/a-costly-california-desalination-plant-bets-on-future-affordability.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0
Open-access for the most traditional publishing: Nature Publishing group bought a controlling statke in
Frontiers (80-90% acceptance rate and free access), another move that flies in
the face of traditional academic publishing. [Note: but the prestige and the
career-defining clout, will that go away with presumably high-quality content?]…Source:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2013/02/scientific-publishing
Felix Salmon’s opinion: Argentina will default in 2013…again:
Or, the 5th time within the
past 30 years—but while it’s willing and financially capable, it refuses to pay
$1.4bn to Elliott Associates (hedge fund that seized Argentina’s 1800’s
battleship, if you recall). [Note: one of those court cases that everyone ends
up losing]…Source: http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2013/02/28/argentina-will-default-in-2013/?dlvrit=60132
Summary on Elon Musk’s TED talk: a few key points: (1) “All modes of transport will
become electric”, (2) “I’m confident solar will beat everything hands down,
including natural gas. If it doesn’t, we’re in deep trouble”; (3) “Utilities
have been this monopoly and people haven’t had a choice. It’s the first time
they have had competition…It’s empowering.”. [Note: some question shareholder
friendliness, but certainly inspirational]…Source: http://blog.ted.com/2013/02/27/transforming-transportation-elon-musk-at-ted2013/
Private tanks in American garages: Tank brokers estimate that there are several hundred
to 1,000 private tank owners in the U.S.. The price-tag goes north of $200k, Tanks
generally aren't street-legal, so owners usually drive them off-road or on
other private property. Some say local authorities sometimes make exceptions
for parades, a quick test drive or a trip to the gas station. [Note: AWESOME]…Source:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324432004578302480951570270.html#.US9CKK3geJw.twitter
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