Food: If words were food, nobody would go hungry Nov 21, 2009
Such a shift could undermine the hopes raised by new investment because farmers would get bogus price signals, efficiency would be compromised and because, says IFAD s head of operation, it s harder to do good projects where the policy environment is poor. Food policy has never been free. (The Economist)
IMF head eyes global currency change Nov 18, 2009
In China's case, a cheap currency gives it an edge on trade but scrambles price signals, leading to wrong decisions about investment in the long run. "It is now time for China, having accumulated a lot of advantages from an undervalued currency, to look more forward to investment and long-term stability, and this long-term stability goes with getting rid of this distortion," he said. (India Times)
A Leadership Role for Asia in Reshaping the Post-Crisis Global Economy, Annual Lecture by Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, at the Monetary Authority of Singapore Nov 14, 2009
So long as this remains the case, the price signals sent about the returns from tradable goods compared to those from nontradable goods will continue to be skewed thus delaying the rebalancing across countries, and more specifically the necessary recalibration of Asia s growth model. In my view, the region should not resist a gradual appreciation of its exchange rates, which I consider an important prerequisite for long-term rebalancing. (IMF News)
Reform to cost more than billed Nov 11, 2009
To do that job well, they need price signals that convey accurate information about consumer preferences and resources which means prices undistorted by government policy. The successful entrepreneurs payoff is profit, the result of transforming lower-value inputs into higher-value outputs. (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
A Clunker of a Climate Policy Oct 31, 2009
We should rely heavily on price signals rather than one-by-one subsidized programs, except for the subsidies needed to bring new technologies such as electric vehicles to the commercial phase. An economywide tax on each ton of CO2 emissions, programmed to rise gradually over time at an appropriate social discount rate, would induce the marketplace to take actions that are less expensive per ton than the tax and to leave behind measures such as Cash for Clunkers or corn to ethanol. (Scientific American)
Empowering Consumers: Moving Intelligence to the Edge of the Grid Oct 22, 2009
The service provided by customers who reduce demand in response to price signals is the same as that provided by generation which increases its output in response to price signals. The compensation paid for that service should be the same -- LMP. A decrement of load has the same value to the wholesale market as an increment of supply. (Energy Pulse, CO)
Sins of emissions just hot air, says think tank Oct 17, 2009
Although economists typically place great faith in the capacity of price signals to motivate behavioural change among human beings, it is unusual to do so where the adaptation capacity of animals is concerned,'' Mr Denniss said. A spokesman for the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, said a decision to include agriculture in the emissions trading scheme has not yet been made. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Potential Power: Balancing Utility and Consumer Control Oct 16, 2009
If real-time pricing were the law of the land, proponents say that the technologies to allow the various retailers to send price signals not to just refrigerators and hot water heaters, but also to any type of consumer device, would proliferate. For a nominal fee, an enterprise could work directly with consumers or their utilities. (Energy Pulse, CO)
Alaska poorer for outdated oil attitude Oct 8, 2009
As explained by an oil company CEO, "That's the wonderful thing about price signals in a free market -- it puts people in a better position to take more exploration risk.". To put it bluntly, for the past several years, Alaska's exploration signals to the industry have said "go elsewhere.". (Anchorage Daily News)
Oil explorers drill through the tough times Sep 26, 2009
That's the wonderful thing about price signals in a free market - it puts people in a better position to take more exploration risk,'' said James Hackett, chairman and chief executive of Anadarko Petroleum. More than 200 discoveries have been reported so far this year in dozens of countries, including northern Iraq's Kurdish region, Australia, Israel, Iran, Brazil, Norway, Ghana and Russia. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Tobin taxes: The wrong tool for the job Sep 24, 2009
In principle such levies are useful if they meet the test for taxes: to raise revenue without harming price signals and enterprise too much ... Academic research suggests that higher turnover costs lead to more volatile markets and to distorted price signals. (The Economist)
Biscuit cos are selling sugar Sep 20, 2009
However, with festivals in August-September and Maharashtra assembly elections round the corner, for the government, sugars price signals itself became the problem. Instead of fixing the underlying shortage, it decided to shoot the messenger. (India Times)
Offsetting the Invisible Hand Aug 29, 2009
Combined with the other factors discussed below, the uncertainty and implementation delay resulting from administrative dispersion (and in some cases, lack of administrative experience) certainly are not likely to result readily in the operation of markets which give useful price signals to the emitters' decision makers ... While there may be offset projects and there will be trading volume, based on available information, the "invisible hand" of the market, on which policy makers are counting,... (Energy Pulse, CO)
Selected recent California newspaper editorials Aug 27, 2009
Leaders should move beyond temporary measures such as prohibitions on lawn watering and enact regulations and price signals that make water conservation a way of life in California. There are new technologies to help recycling, capturing stormwater for reuse and graywater systems can all help maximize every drop of water. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Bloggers' challenge: Has Cache Valley's climate changed? Aug 24, 2009
But, throughout history, these same concerns of pending doomsday - "The age of Resource X can last only Y more years!" - have been stated over and over again, only to find that Armageddon is pushed farther and farther into the future by technological advances and market responses to emerging price signals. Why might we think this time it is different. (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
What do you think of the altered scheme? Aug 11, 2009
Once a mechanism is in place, and solid price signals are available to the market, then they Greens could have worked to tighten targets and reach the goals they are striving for. All we have now is another year of delay and inaction, and God help us if somehow Turnbull gets in. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
CSIRO says carbon price cap may hit power supply Aug 3, 2009
If legislative arrangements place a cap on the price signals sent by electricity and carbon markets then it is possible that investment will be impacted, reducing the supply of new electricity generation capacity below what is required to reliably deliver power to customers or delivering less risky but most likely higher emission technologies, the CSIRO submission reads. Dr Jim Smitham, leader of the CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship, told the Herald the CSIRO does not have an exact policy... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
The return of Thomas Mun Jul 29, 2009
If, however, we are now dependent on a few critical resources for which alternatives are not readily available, price signals alone may not prevent us from depleting those resources altogether, causing catastrophic disruption to our economic life. China clearly believes this is about to happen. (Asia Times Online)
* Energy security is everyones game Jul 26, 2009
Clear price signals, including carbon pricing, are crucial, and many non-OECD countries, in addition to needing financial support to help reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, can benefit from the removal of fuel subsidies. But clear price signals are not enough, as a low-carbon future requires major breakthroughs in technology development and deployment. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Commission Approves OG&E Rate Case Settlement Jul 25, 2009
This will provide customers with appropriate price signals in preparation for the deployment of the company's smart grid program. Norman will become the company's first Positive Energy(R) Community. (PR Newswire)
No 'loop' fraud found Jul 17, 2009
FERC said in a statement that traders "were openly responding to price signals... and therefore did not commit market manipulation.". The commission did order the NYISO and other regional electric monitoring organizations to submit plans within six months to solve the problem. (Albany Times Union)
Meter-centric: Should We Focus on the Smart Meter? Jul 17, 2009
And then, the disparate pieces must be able to converse -- all so that the technology can remotely read meters, send price signals or automatically turn off electronic equipment ... says that while utility controls should be part of any mix of demand response options, customers should be provided with price signals and allowed to decide for themselves what, when and how to control their energy use. (Energy Pulse, CO)
COMPETE Statement on Release of Synapse Study Jul 16, 2009
"The issue is not profits, but price signals; evidence clear that organized markets offer superior platform for market-based cap-and-trade." ... "The issue of limiting greenhouse gas emissions is too important to wrap neatly in a narrow anti-electricity market focus. The issue is not profits, but price signals. There is more than an abundance of evidence that organized markets for electricity offer a superior platform for the market-based cap-and-trade program that Congress is advancing.... (PR Newswire)
Are Smart Grids a Smart Investment? Jul 14, 2009
In its most comprehensive application, smart grid applications allow utility customers to both reduce and shift equipment electricity use to off-peak periods depending on price signals provided by the utility and as a result of customer commitments to "sell" electric loads back to the utility system. The smart grid concept also includes traditional load control programs used by many utilities to cycle water heating and air conditioning equipment during peak demand periods. (Energy Pulse, CO)
World food prices: Whatever happened to the food crisis? Jul 3, 2009
The failure of farmers in poor countries to respond to price signals does not mean they are deaf to them. Rather the signals they get are often scrambled or muted. (The Economist)
Obamanomics Renders Economy Inefficient Jun 30, 2009
The efficiency of vehicles is being increased, albeit in response to inefficient government edicts rather than to more efficient price signals. Never mind that the infrastructure for these various gasoline substitutes has not been developed, and that the cost of these technologies exceeds that of the gasoline-fuelled internal combustion engine by a good margin. (CBS News)
Entergy Chairman and CEO Announces Support for Climate Change Bill Jun 27, 2009
"We support the Waxman-Markey bill's market-based cap-and-trade system as it is a major step forward in solving the biggest challenge of our time. The bill moves toward establishing the necessary price signals for carbon dioxide to drive innovation and investment in energy efficiency and new energy technologies. Additionally, by allocating 15 percent of the allowances to counter the possible effect of the legislation on low-income citizens, the bill establishes a critical framework to help the... (PR Newswire)
Act Now on Global Warming--Energy after the Kyoto Protocol Expires Jun 18, 2009
There is a way, however, to keep strong price signals on fossil fuels without emptying consumers wallets: send the proceeds of the auction back to citizens as rebates. Energy from fossil fuels would become more expensive, as it must, yet the rebates would help offset the extra costs to consumers. (Scientific American)
Global carbon market doubled in 2008, cut less CO2 May 28, 2009
Demand for CERs has fallen due to the lack of clear policy and price signals which would help stimulate a pipeline of new investments in developing countries for delivery after 2012, the World Bank said. As talks edge closer to find a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, there is some uncertainty about what form the CDM will take after 2012 which has added to constrained demand, the report said. (Scientific American)
Prospects for Oil Market Stability, Remarks by John Lipsky, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, at the G-8 Meeting of Energy Ministers, Rome May 26, 2009
Oil demand would become more responsive to price signals, even in the short term, reducing the tendency for large price movements. On the supply side, policy efforts aimed at achieving more stable and predictable investment and tax regimes will encourage adequate investment. (IMF News)
The main reason to raise the gas tax May 25, 2009
Based on last summer's gas prices, it's clear that people do adjust to sustained price signals. We also need the gas tax to encourage people to bicycle and to fund design work so that we can unlock federal dollars for more bikeways. (Boston Globe)
Cigarette increase was on the cards May 16, 2009
"The Government believes price signals in health are effective - that's why we are still pursuing the alcopops tax. Both the Preventative Health Taskforce and the Henry review on taxation are considering issues around tobacco excise, and we will respond to these reviews in due course," Ms Roxon's spokeswoman said. Health groups welcomed Mr Turnbull's proposal of a tax increase of three cents a cigarette. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Residential Energy Efficiency: It's the Behavior, Stupid May 14, 2009
Consumers will respond to price signals, but they have to be fairly strong, especially since other market failures such as the landlord-tenant disconnect and uncertainties in length of occupancy can further disincentive investments in energy efficiency. In addition, PTEM programs often have trouble meeting increasingly strict measurement and verification (Mndards. (Energy Pulse, CO)
Internet providers want to meter usage Apr 17, 2009
"One of the main nutrients on the Internet is low price. If you start stomping on that or putting in the wrong kind of price signals, my fear is you will inhibit all kinds of innovation.". Time Warner Cable, which operates under the Road Runner brand, said it has been offering tiered, capped service in Beaumont, Texas for some time and in March began testing that pricing in four new markets: Austin and San Antonio, Texas; Rochester, N.Y.; and Greensboro, N.C. Still unpriced is Time Warner's... (MSNBC -- Crime)
A 'total cure' for health care? Apr 11, 2009
I always say "then go back "home"... They have finally come to see what is happening with the health care of the more aged they left "back home", the standard of living of their peers "back home", the state of their country's economy and the looming collapse from completely unfunded entitlemetns..and are starting to figure out what living in a free country means. Posted by Perspective, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Apr 5, 2009 at 4:53 pmForgot one of the proposals made many times... (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Southern Co.'s smart meters good for bottom line Apr 11, 2009
Senior advocates oppose it, for instance: Our customers can t afford to respond to price signals, Georgia AARP spokesman Will Phillips said ... The meters could help that, too: The readout to consumers, even in the absence of price signals, can educate consumers about how they re using energy, said Marilyn Brown, a Georgia Tech professor and visiting scientist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
World is awash with oil as demand sinks: IEA Apr 10, 2009
The IEA noted that oil prices have rallied to above 50 US dollars for the first time in four months on "more bullish sentiment" in financial markets at the end of March but said this "masked" persistent weak price signals. While the prospects for lower demand have muted concerns about a "supply crunch," the IEA warned that resulting low oil prices could undercut investment in future production. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Energy Policies are Complex Energy Solutions Are Even More So -- The Pickens Plan -- Apr 1, 2009
Avoiding carbon and bringing the energy production to our shores will cost money, and those who consume the energy must see the price signals of that shift. Mr. Pickens calculation of $700 Billion per year for imported oil appears to reflect the spot market $140 per barrel price of some months ago. (Energy Pulse, CO)
Copper slips on weak demand outlook Mar 25, 2009
The government intervention in the markets has led to a dislocation betwen price signals and supply and demand dynamics, said analyst Gayle Berry at Barclays Capital. As a result smelters are increasing output at a time when they should be cutting back because the demand is so terrible. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Clean Tech: Force It or Fund It? Mar 24, 2009
Those charges or price signals in financial jargon come in many flavors ... The first great advantage of price signals is that they create a strong incentive for companies to be smart for their own operations, Esty says, and, second, they create an opportunity for any company that can be a solutions provider to others. (Scientific American)
Medium term dairy prices strong: NAB Mar 19, 2009
"It will also distort price signals reaching European processors, and keep less efficient producers in business.". International dairy prices dropped nearly 60 per cent in the past 18 months since November 2007. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Left and Right agree on carbon tax Feb 21, 2009
The tax cuts associated with the ETS distort the price signals and to much politicalisation into the scheme (diverting money to marginal electorates to aid re-election), thus shouldn't be included. Dixon of Adelaide. (The Australian)
Nationalization, schmationalization Feb 21, 2009
As testament to how free markets react to price signals, the boost in global production of polysilicon is pretty impressive, even if it's bad news for polysilicon producers, who are already facing a shakeout, and But for the solar power PV industry, the price drop couldn't have happened at a better time, and may even raise the possibility that the long-promised day of "grid-parity" -- that moment when electricity generated by solar power costs as much as that produced from coal or natural gas --... (Salon)
Damning verdict for fragile WTI Feb 12, 2009
The global oil markets most important pricing benchmark, the West Texas Intermediate crude contract, was criticised on Wednesday for sending mixed and misleading price signals, not only to the market but to economic forecasters, government officials and policymakers. The International Energy Agency warned that deterioration in the fragile WTI pricing mechanism would only serve to reinforce the view that the crude has become an irrevocably broken benchmark. (FT.com -- Markets)
Nigeria: Country Branded 'Unreliable Source of Energy' Feb 11, 2009
The study advised the government to act by taking the following steps: encourage price signals by placing a price on greenhouse gas emissions in order to spur innovation into low-carbon and carbon-free energy alternatives. It said government should subsidise energy research and development (R&D) especially particular types of research that are neglected by private firms; focus on transnational research that links scientific and technical R&D with commercial development; leverage additional... (allAfrica.com)
