Economy | Consumer Energy Report

Climate change is a huge concern, but misguided attacks won't solve the issue, and the environmental movement is more financially motivated than some of its proponents would like us to think.

As the US population grows, more transportation options will become vital in densely packed sections of the country. High speed rail (HSR) may be the best answer.

As the world continues to seek out new energy sources, the Arctic Ocean is becoming a hot bed of activity. The US must ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in order to secure exclusivity rights to the lucrative area.

In this column energy expert Rapier provides three examples — originating with both Democrats and Republicans and impacting both renewable energy and fossil fuels — of how constantly shifting legislation makes it very difficult to plan and execute energy projects.

Where drilling used to be in established areas, like Texas, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, it is now moving offshore, leaving some to wonder whether the institutional capacities of these countries and regions are sufficient to avoid the resource curse.

When asked if the federal government should eliminate subsidies for oil companies, most would respond with a resounding 'yes.' But such a policy would have unwelcome unintended consequences, and not just for billionaire oil tycoons.

As Shell makes preparations to send offshore drilling rigs into the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas north of Alaska, it's important to walk through the history of energy exploration in the Arctic.

At this stage, plug-in solar panels are so early in their development that their quality and effectiveness are questionable. But the idea has potential.

Most people would probably agree that speculation in the oil and gas markets is hurting American consumers. But speculation is not a one-way street where the average consumer always loses.

The oil industry's profits are so huge that it must be taking advantage of customers, right? Actually, it's not that simple.