paulk8756

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    • Study Shows Ethanol Energy Efficiency Is Growing [view article]
      So if corn ethanol is so viable, what about sugar? Sugar ethanol contains 6X (!) the energy of corn at a comparable cost. The U.S. has ample acreage to produce sufficent sugar to replace e-85 entirely.

      If your goal is to promote renewable vegetable based fuels to replace our dependence on foreign oil, then, you should be touting sugar, NOT corn for this purpose. But you WON'T, which means you're all about the corn industry, NOT energy independence.       Oct 08 11:12 AM
    • The Light at the End of the Tunnel Is Energy Efficient [view article]
      Charles,

      Consumers have ALWAYS used energy efficiently. As Boone Pickens (who knows a helluva lot more about this subject than almost anyone else alive) likes to say, "The LOWEST COST energy solution wins every time." (This has been true since man left his cave, incidentally.)

      The only thing that ever changes is the PRICE POINTS, then. Hence, when the price of oil goes high enough, substitutes such as natural gas and electricity become viable as substitutes for transportation.

      It's the MANDATES and the TAX POLICIES we have to be careful of. We don't have to go very far before in this direction before we begin to DISTORT REAL PRICES in the marketplace. Thus, we end up with disasters like e-85, the manufacture and use of which is indefensible.

      Let's hope solar does better, although it hasn't shown any such inclination to this date. The initial PRICE has always limited its applicability. Don't let your desire to be a good carbon samaritan cloud your economic judgement about its real economic efficiency.

      While your heart's in the right place, your bias may be tilting your perspective, which may not be help our society's quest to achieve greater energy independence. Over time, it may only make this situation that much worse.




      Oct 08 11:01 AM
    • Food for Thought: How Green Are Biofuels? [view article]
      While the increased cost and stagnant supply of oil available to the world is cause for alarm, it's not the end of civilization. It's the time it takes us to convert to other sources of energy that are causing such economic dislocations, which are temporary.

      Take the U.S. for instance. We have a 100+ year proven, recoverable supply of oil's cousin, natural gas, at our disposal. And a virtually unlimited supply of NG's nephew, gas hydrates, available after that.
      It's also cheaper, more abundant, environmentally friendly, secure, and lends itself seemlessly to transportation, unlike any of the so-called alternative sources of energy.

      We will only have an energy crisis if our government continues to adopt misguided, stupid, centralized energy policies. Even then, as Dr. Stiglitz and PM Churchill would surely concur, the markets will find a way to overcome such unwise attempts at intervention on their own eventually.
      Oct 07 11:44 AM
    • Lessons to Learn From Mortgage Lending in Australia [view article]
      Mark,

      The WSJ is the second NY-based publication I stopped reading, after the NY Times. The IBD is still pretty good, though. As are the Daily News and the Post, albeit for different reasons. I tired of the politically inspired diatribe in the former two, but I really miss the classic American journalism contained in the latter.
      Oct 07 09:49 AM
    • States Facing Critical Budget Shortfalls [view article]
      Of course the more profligate of our political subdivisions will approach our even more profligate central government so they can avail themselves of the illusory benefits of deficit spending, as well.


      But where would it end? Even the tiniest of municipal entities, such as firehouses and local libraries, would want to get in on this run of "free" money.

      Sooner or later, the only logical answer is FISCAL DISCIPLINE. Unfortunately, the Big Spenders in Washington haven't learned that yet. But one way or the other, they will!



      Oct 07 09:27 AM
    • Expected Inflation at a Six-Year Low (Unadjusted) [view article]
      Yes, rampant DEFLATION in the value of consumer durables (houses and autos come to mind) will do that for you. But it's a point worth noting. Thank you. Oct 07 09:16 AM
    • Lessons to Learn From Mortgage Lending in Australia [view article]
      Mark,

      I must be missing something in the comments from this Aussie chap. U.S. mortgage instruments are CERTAINLY recourse debt, as are ALL other types of domestic consumer lending.

      Now if he meant to say that our mortage credit standards were too lax, or that lenders didn't pay close enough attention to delinquencies and chargeoffs on consumer credit reports, I can understand that.

      But to suggest that any of this was somehow NON-RECOURSE debt is simply factually incorrect. Besides, he should be worrying more about his own country's fiscal condition, which is PLENTY challenging, rather than misstating ours.       Oct 07 09:10 AM
    • Two Exciting Brazilian Oil Stocks [view article]
      Agreed. These are two terrific prospective energy investments. Assuming the world's economy doesn't tank so badly that oil companies have to give their production away again, that is. Oct 06 11:54 AM
    • Good COP: Conoco Touts Better Batteries, Cleaner Coal [view article]
      Good stuff! All this R & D is great, and will serve us well some day. However, what we need is more ACTION on low-cost, real world energy solutions RIGHT NOW if we're going to survive our present growing economic malaise.

      Of course, our Congress is out campaigning instead of working on this in Washington. Obviously, that's their No. l priority, rather than taking steps that will lower prices at the pump and help achieve American energy independence.


      Oct 06 11:47 AM
    • How the US Slowdown Is Slowing Down China [view article]
      So China and the rest of the BRIC's will suffer a lower rate of growth by having to sell more their production internally. They have a sufficient population to make this work successfully. Surplus international trade is nice, but not absolutely necessary. Indeed, this is a good time for them to recalibrate their economic strategies. Oct 05 12:40 PM
    • Auto Industry Recovery Once Again Postponed [view article]
      Good luck to both you guys! I have a suspicion we'll need it. Oct 03 11:16 PM
    • Auto Industry Recovery Once Again Postponed [view article]
      IXL,

      You're EXACTLY right about the hidden cost of mandates. They are the stealth regulations that may well bring our economy down with or without the bank bailout.

      I lived on Capitol Hill when they were just getting started 35 years ago, and it was easy to see where they would take us eventually. The evil genius behind them was that they only attacked one industry at a time, albeit almost indirectly. So voters never caught on, and they still haven't for the most part.

      Before our present economic malaise is over this time, however, we'll have to confront them directly if we're going to make any real headway.

      That is, if we don't go in the OTHER direction and regulate our economy out of existence entirely. At the moment, unfortunately, that seems to me to be more likely.

      (That's another reason why I like NGV's, actually. We've built them already, they're proven, and they fit into the present regulatory scheme. And Boone Pickens and Aubrey Mc Clendon are executing their plans to refuel them conveniently as we speak.)

      Oct 03 11:14 PM
    • Auto Industry Recovery Once Again Postponed [view article]
      Sting,

      Fair enough. NGV's may not be a panacea for everyone, but nothing else is either. The problem is we're importing half a TRILLION dollars worth of foreign oil each year, and NG is the only viable substitute available. (Indeed, we have a proven 100 year supply!) .

      But just because it's been around a long time, doesn't mean it isn't a superior product to gasoline. The EPA says the Civic GX tested cleaner than the Prius Hybrid. (I don't have a problem with modern 60+ mpg diesels by the way. Bring 'em on, too!)

      I would question your notion that NG isn't cost competitive with gasoline, however. (Even if it weren't, of course, it's still DOMESTIC.) On an eqivalency basis you burn a bit more to go the same distance, but it costs 40% or more less to start with. In fact, NGV owners in OK and UT (who live in proximity to NG production, granted) fill up today for less than $1 per gallon.

      It's interesting to note that the only other alternative, EV's, have actually existed for quite awhile themselves. The only difference being they have NEVER WORKED, and they can't operate heavy duty vehicles in the first place. That's probably why 7 MILLION NGV's exist worldwide, compared to a handful of electrics.

      It is also true that the new Hybrids may be different. Great! Between them and NGV's, we can survive quite nicely. But at a cost of $45K (including its $15K REPLACEABLE battery pack, the Volt and its ilk are destined to be "boutique" vehicles throughout our lifetimes.

      And even without our present financial squeeze, TIME is one luxury not currently on our side when it comes to resolving our transportation dilemma. NGV's are ready to go, and the alternatives are only dreams in laboratories somewhere.

      In truth, I like it ALL. Drilling for oil, NGV's, hybrids, sugar (NOT corn) and switchgrass ethanol for transport. Along with wind, solar, hydro, nuclear and clean coal for electricity. Longer term, gas hydrates can do it all.

      But we've got to still be alive and kicking (which is now perhaps in doubt) just to get there!




      .       Oct 03 10:50 PM
    • Alternative Energy, Regular Guy Stuff and Rainbow Stew [view article]
      John,

      I don't run out of sophomoric questions easily (ha, ha!).

      So if li-ion batteries can provide backup power for something as daunting as the electric grid, why aren't they well suited for PEV's?
      (I say that as an advocate of 60 year old NGV's, and I believe in their current state of technology EV's are stupid.)

      I've read about where lithium is mined (Chile and China) and that it's a relatively rare element. It would also seem to be an ideal candidate to become the basis for a new OPEC (OLEC?).

      But I suspect there is more to it than that, isn't there?       Oct 03 05:42 PM
    • Alternative Energy, Regular Guy Stuff and Rainbow Stew [view article]
      That's fascinating, John. Thank you! Oct 03 05:21 PM
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