Contributing Member of the Energy & Industrials Councils

All News Analyses by this Author

President Obama Presides Over a Key Shift in Thinking on Emissions Reductions

May 21, 2009

Analysis of:Obama to Toughen Rules on Emissions and Mileage | www.nytimes.com

President Obama announced sweeping changes in the auto industry in regards to fuel efficiency that heralds a shift in thinking in the Federal Government from a silver bullet solution to an integrated multi-pronged approach that combines energy efficiencies with existing fossil fuels and renewable energy technology. Firstly for those who are stilling looking for a "silver bullet" solution to Greenhouse Gas reductions need to grab a beer and let go of the notion that there is a silver bullet solution whether it be Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) or the Hydrogen Economy. Secondly I applaud the Obama administration for taking the approach that 1) energy efficiencies are important and vital in the process; 2) that the recognition that fossil fuels are here for a long period of time yet and 3) the message this sends to the community as a whole to seek out energy efficiency systems.

Clean Energy Job-Creation has Opportunity Today & Throughout 2009

March 27, 2009

Analysis of:Obama Cautious on When Strong Job-creation Returns | www.washingtonpost.com

President Obama’s caution in stating that job creation may not resume until later 2009 and into 2010 fails to grasp the current opportunities available in clean(er) energy production.  It appears that President Obama’s administration is focused on the emerging and developing technology that may or may not succeed in a real world commercial application at the expense of implementing proven technologies to produce cleaner energy, more energy self sufficiency and sustainability and even unskilled level job creation.

Clean Energy: Obama’s Stimulus Package Requires An Adjustment

March 24, 2009

Analysis of:Obama Lays Out Clean-Energy Plans | www.washingtonpost.com

Clean energy stimulus packages sustainability in the past has failed not because they did not promote R&D or develop new technology; rather they failed due to not promoting the paradigm shift through commercialization.

Climate Change Issues Warm-up as the Obama Administration Hosts European Ministers

March 19, 2009

Analysis of:Europe, US to work together on global warming | www.washingtonpost.com

Action on climate change is here to stay whether you believe it is caused by human intervention or not.  Burying your head in the sand will only cause long-term difficulties for industry, the investment community and foreign relations.

A New Parameter is Required in Reviewing Investment Within the Energy Sector

March 5, 2009

Analysis of:Washington New Center of Global Warming Battle | www.calgaryherald.com

The global warming, climate change battle is going to take aim squarely at the current energy sector.  Energy producers and high energy users that require the investment community must address new parameters in their risk mitigation strategies to address the new US – Obama administration’s reality. 

A Carbon Emissions Cap & Trade System Can Achieve Reductions & Be Economic.

February 27, 2009

Analysis of:U. S. likely to introduce cap and trade: economist | www.calgaryherald.com

The Cap & Trade system for carbon emissions proposed by President Obama will set absolute targets for industry and can be achievable economically.  The system will need to include Canada and eventually Mexico.  The system requiring all industries producing carbon emissions to reduce emissions should be addressed now even though the economy is downturned.

There Are Hidden Gems In Renewable Energy

December 16, 2008

Analysis of:Alternative energy ideas power down | www.delawareonline.com

Economic renewable energy projects require a targeted approach; they must solve specific problems without government subsidies.  There are excellent renewable energy projects to invest in that solve legislative issues while at the same time provide a shelter from the current economic storm.

CCS: The Realities

November 25, 2008

Analysis of:Aussie bill sets up CO2 sequestration framework | www.ogj.com

There are three key requirements of CCS (Carbon Capture & Storage): 1) Legislation that addresses rights, liabilities and requirements of sequestration; 2) Economics and process; and 3) Geological locations for success.

Concentrated Solar Power(CSP): Economics Are Not There

November 11, 2008

Analysis of:"The technology that will save humanity" | www.salon.com

Yes CSP is clean, it uses small amounts of fresh water, it can be designed to be constant with the help of NG, but the economics are not there.

Renewable Energy Projects Require Targeted Approaches, Especially As The Credit Crunch Widens

October 22, 2008

Analysis of:Alternative Energy Suddenly Faces Headwinds | www.nytimes.com

Economic renewable energy projects require a much targeted approach; they must solve a specific problem without government subsidies.  Excellent renewable energy projects have the best opportunity to attract financing during these current market conditions. Marginal renewable energy projects and those that rely on government subsidies will have difficult times during these markets.

Adversarial Positions Are Good Only If They Lead Viable Solutions!!!

August 29, 2008

Analysis of:Environmentalists weigh costs of Alberta oil sands | www.iht.com

Whether you agree with the facts or not they are still the facts – the facts are:   Fact, currently there is no viable alternative to our current oil based economy and there will not be a viable alternative for 20 to 40 years whether it be electricity, hydrogen or other sources of renewable energy, therefore the world needs the oil sands. Fact, proposed alternative energy sources like electricity and hydrogen still produce GHG’s and the economics of converting to albeit possibly less GHG producing alternatives like electricity and hydrogen is prohibitive currently. Fact, the oil produced from the oil sands can be produced at much lower rates of GHG’s if certain actions are taken that are a fraction of the cost of converting to alternative energy sources like electricity and hydrogen under their current ratio of fossil fuel production to renewable production.   Those are the facts in regards to GHG’s

CCS: The Issues, The Benefits & The Costs

June 3, 2008

Analysis of: Quest for clean coal smolders | www.iht.com

The reality is there is no such thing as clean coal.  Does that mean we can afford to close all coal fired power plants - No!  Therefore we seek to manage the emissions from coal fired power plants.  CCS (Carbon Capture & Storage) is considered to be a good solution - is it?  Yes it can be, but there needs to be clear regulation from the government in order to make it happen.  See the issue is the competitiveness of the industry.  If one company goes ahead and does CCS they do so at significant cost and all the other companies gain financial advantage by not doing CCS both in the sales of their product and in the attracting of investors for their stock.  The government needs to level out the playing field by implementing clear regulations in regards to emissions reductions and CCS. 

Solutions: Achieved Only Through Collaboration

May 27, 2008

Analysis of:Oil Companies and Greenwashing | www.triplepundit.com

The facts are laid out, the big oil companies are not green, who of us thought they were? The facts are they have record profits, but who of us can point the finger as we drive our cars to places we could walk or use public transit.  The facts are the executives and board members of big oil companies have a fiduciary duty to their shareholders and employees to maximize profits within the confines of the law.  The facts are the employees as well have a fiduciary duty to supply their product to the marketplace at the best possible price.  The facts are that the current economic system we live under, work under and retire under is the based on the above noted facts.  The facts are change will be challenging.  The facts are change will be even more challenging if we continue to point fingers, continue to be adversarial and continue to not look for collaborative solutions.  Who of us is not guilty of an error in our life time?

“Foodstocks” for Ethanol Production Will Ultimately Fail

May 12, 2008

Analysis of:The Biofuels Backlash | online.wsj.com

I wrote this same analysis April 11th, 2008 and a white paper prior to this in 2003.  The same holds true. Ethanol production from feed stocks that are otherwise used for food will ultimately fail in the long run.  Ethanol plants like any other refinery are built for a service life of 30 years; subsidies can not be sustained for 30 years.  Sugar albeit is a much better feedstock than corn, it still will fail in the long run just by the very fact that sugar refiners and food processors can withstand sharp price increases with much more ease than an ethanol producer.

President Bush: More Smoke & Mirrors

April 22, 2008

Analysis of:Bush proposes new climate change strategy | hosted.ap.org

The implications of President Bush's announcement are that there are none.  It is just smoke and mirrors, a ploy to appear to be on the band wagon.  President Bush clearly does not know how to achieve significant reductions in GHG's while increasing the country's economy.

“Foodstocks” for Ethanol Production Will Ultimately Fail

April 11, 2008

Analysis of:Biofuel startup slow going as slow as molasses | www.chron.com

Ethanol production from feedstocks that are otherwise used for food will ultimately fail in the long run.  Ethanol plants like any other refinery are built for a service life of 30 years; subsidies can not be sustained for 30 years.  Sugar albeit is a much better feedstock than corn, it still will fail in the long run just by the very fact that sugar refiners and food processors can withstand sharp price increases with much more ease than an ethanol producer.

Europe’s increase in biofuels percentage is likely not going to devastate the food chain and increase the greenhouse gasses.

April 7, 2008

Analysis of:Europe's biofuel road paved with potholes | www.reportonbusiness.com

Mr. Watson and Sir David King have significant understanding of climate change issues and significant understanding of biofuels.  So for them to urge the British government to hold off on increasing the biofuels ratio from 2.5% to 5.75% in two years they would have had a caveat.  That caveat is likely to follow along these lines.  1) Where the feedstock for the ethanol is made from a commonly used food like corn, sugar and cassava which I refer as “foodstocks”.  2) Where the ethanol producers gain a preferred market share access to those “foodstocks” as they did in the USA.  When the feedstock for the ethanol production is made from other sources then both Mr. Watson and Sir David King would impeach their credibility in the field to oppose the increase.

Climate change is the greatest strategic threat

March 25, 2008

Analysis of:Climate change tops insurance risk list: Ernst & Young | www.newswire.ca

Ernst & Young released their top 10 industry insurance risks and climate change clearly hits number one.  It hits number one for the following reasons: 1) Changes in weather patterns that have and will cause losses from floods, severe storms and other natural phenomena. 2) Insurability criteria may change effecting an industry’s ability to obtain suitable insurance for operations. 3) Corporate viability and sustainability as changes in pricing, policies, regulations and other gradual consequences of climate change impacts a company’s solvency.

Norway: Leader or Con Artist?

March 24, 2008

Analysis of:Lofty Pledge to Cut Emissions Comes With Caveat in Norway | www.nytimes.com

Norway's industries and oil and gas production has made the easy steps to reduce emissions at home as have many developed countries industries because primarily they were energy efficiencies and they make economic sense.  Now the questions is how to reduce emissions further for the future without killing the economy now.  Norway has chosen a method for the time being of reducing GHG's in developing countries through the UNFCCC mechanism called CDM.  Obviously Norway sees this as the next step along the path to carbon neutral status that makes economic sense.  The question is does this count towards making the country carbon neutral? 

Emissions Reductions: The New Reality In Canada

March 12, 2008

Analysis of:Tough New Green Plan Targets Oil Sands | www.theglobeandmail.com

It is important to recognize that the Federal Government in Canada is about to change the face of industry in Canada.  Companies that do not have a comprehensive strategic Carbon Risk Analysis and Strategy are going to be in serious trouble.  For years industry in Canada has been looking to the Federal Government for the rules in which to operate in everything from carbon capture and storage (CCS) to what constitutes clean coal.  Well those rules are not coming; government seems to be leaving that up to industry.  The rules that are coming are hard targets on a per unit basis.  This will affect all of industry in Canada and will have a ripple effect that will reach multi-national companies to the investment community worldwide. 

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