Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Oddly Relevant Apr-9-2013


Study: The coal industry is in far more trouble than anyone realizes: (1) the cheap natural gas as substitute, everyone knows that, (2) new, stringent EPA rules on sufur dioxide, particulate matter, and mercury—56% of US coal fleet could become more expensive than nat-gas.
Note: Can’t help but think there is a turn-around trade there among the survivors as supply gets stifled and consolidations take place. Where to look? Maybe the coal exporters since the world’s coal consumption is not stopping any time soon.

Measuring presidential budget success: [Note: beautiful interactive chart, and Truman’s budget basically got shafted every time]…Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/04/09/interactive-presidents-rarely-get-the-budget-they-want/

Four charts that show the U.S. spends too little on energy research: (1) Healthcare is taking the helm instead, (2) big focus on renewables and efficiency, but there’s also money for nuclear power and fossil fuel, (3) Federal energy R&D is lower than what a variety of experts have argued is necessary to tackle climate change [note: but the real question is, is that the government’s job?]…Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/04/09/three-charts-that-show-the-u-s-spends-too-little-on-energy-research/

Unions need a modern, consumer-friendly approach: unionized % of paid workers hit 96-year low @ 17.5% in 2011. Its labor intensive nature of organization and firms’ outsourcing capabilities kept hurting the enrollment numbers [note: trends toward automation, higher standards of living, and arguably more focused education obsoletes the model]…Source: http://www.economist.com/news/international/21575752-unions-are-trouble-some-are-learning-new-tricksfrom-bosses-unions-inc

No comments: