Spin Doctors on U.S. Oil Production, Costs, and Energy Policy.

Energy Policy

Spin Doctor: A person (such as a "Talking Head") who tries to control the way something is described to influence public opinion in a way that helps their side and hurts (often demonizing) differing views. "Spinning" always contains some elements of truth to enhance credibility, but conveniently overlooks/dismisses any facts not helpful in forming the desired public perception.Current Status of U.S. Foreign Oil Dependency: Over the past 7 years,...

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Where Obama Is Wrong on Coal

Coal Use

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Update! While Environmental Organizations are outraged, the recent Budget Bill in Congress rescinded the Obama Administration's banning of the Export-Import Bank to finance...

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Global Warming & International Trade -- the Elephant in the Room.

Global Warming

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Update! In a new Stanford University Survey a majority of Americans believe man-made Global Warming is occurring, but do not support a Carbon Tax. The Global Greenhouse...

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The Past, Present, and Future of Ethanol

Ethanol Vs. Gas Price

In our last 2 blogs, the past to the present of ethanol is discussed -- looking at the health origins of why its use was needed in the first place, and ethanol's continuing importance today in reducing U.S. spending on foreign oil (OPEC).Today we will look at the future, but first let's do a quick review: Health BenefitsWar, Terrorism, China, & OilOrigins in Health Benefits: This blog post discusses some key aspects of gasoline formulation...

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Computer simulation . . . What's that?

In previous posts, I have used the concept �Computer Simulation� many times. For example, I have affirmed that �Computer Simulation is the right tool to decide truck allocation�, and �To calculate the aggregate variability, it is necessary to use sophisticated computational tools such as Computer Simulation�, and finally �Computer Simulation could aid in planning mining operations�.All those statements assume that the reader is familiar with the...

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Happy Dependence Day to Mid-East Oil and China!

Energy Policy

This past Independence Day, a mostly overlooked news story was China becoming the largest benefactor of American blood and treasure spent in Iraq (~5,000 soldier deaths and $1.9 trillion) -- as China is now Iraq's #1 oil customer (purchasing ~50% of Iraqi oil with expectations that this will increase).But this story line isn't limited to Iraq, as China is now also the #1 oil customer of many oil exporting countries in the Persian Gulf -- benefiting...

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Returning to the Roots of Ethanol's Importance

Energy Policy

Ethanol Protects Our Most Vulnerable By Providing Cleaner Gasoline.Critical in forming public opinion on any issue is the use of paradigms -- an explanation "model/view" of how something works. With paradigms it often doesn't matter if the underlying facts/logic are incorrect or not objective (cherry-picked), its only what the Public perceives as correct or true that matters.With many public perception paradigms there is usually a strong underlying...

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