Dear Sir or Madame-
Click here to view an archive of past newsletters
In this April 28, 2010 Publication:
Economists Optimistic About State Of Recovery
Government Accountability Office Finds
Energy Star Vulnerable to Fraud and Abuse
FEF Annual Meeting Press Release - May 2010
Climate Change Negotiations Leave More
Questions Than Answers
Just Announced! June 2nd NADCA Energy Efficiency
Workshop
Economists Optimistic About State Of Recovery
USA Today
reports the "recovery is shaping up to be stronger than expected and there is little risk the economy will slip back
into a recession, according to USA TODAY's quarterly survey of 46 leading economists." However, "most still say the
rebound will fall short of the sharp, V-shaped upturns that often follow severe slumps, and the 9.7% jobless rate
will fall slowly."
Along similar lines, notes that "according to the median estimate of 67 economists" surveyed by Bloomberg News,
"consumer spending probably accelerated in the first quarter, shepherding the US expansion into 2010," and "gross
domestic product grew at a 3.4 percent annual pace after increasing at a 5.6 percent rate in the last three months
of 2009." The New York
Times reports that "after the worst downturn since the Great Depression, signs of recovery are mounting --
albeit tinged with ambiguity."
USA Today reports
while "the trajectory of the gains has been more akin to a Fourth of July bottle rocket," that "doesn't mean its
profit-making powers will soon be six feet under. Stock strategists say it is perfectly normal for gains to get
harder to come by after the market's initial bounce off of major lows."
Government Accountability Office Finds Energy Star Vulnerable to Fraud and Abuse
Since the creation of the program, Energy Star is relied on by the
American people to choose energy efficient
products. In more recent years energy efficient manufacturing plants have received the Energy Star banner. The
United States has relied on this program to identify products that qualify for energy efficiency subsidies and tax
breaks. However, a recent Government Accountability Office operation has revealed that Energy Star is vulnerable to
fraud and abuse.
In the operation 20 products were submitted for approval by 4 separate bogus companies. Claims of the product
performances ranged from absurd to slightly exaggerated.
To view the rest of this article, click here.
FEF Annual Meeting Press Release - May 2010
FEF held its Annual Meeting at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio
on April 16, 2010. To view the press release
regarding this event, please click here.
Climate Change Negotiations Leave More Questions Than Answers
The collapse of Senate negotiations on a climate change bill leaves lawmakers, environmentalists and industry asking
the same question: Where do things go from here?
Plans for a long-awaited roll out Monday of a comprehensive climate and energy bill collapsed over the weekend when
the lone Republican sponsor, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, pulled out.
Unless Graham's partners, Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry and Connecticut independent Joseph I. Lieberman ,
persuade him to return to negotiations, the defection probably dooms prospects this year - and maybe beyond - for
one of President Obama's top legislative priorities.
"If it can't get through this Congress, with this president, then it's not going to get anywhere ever," said an
industry lobbyist who has been closely involved in the climate talks.
If that happens, the stage is set for the EPA to begin regulating carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act, with no
input from Congress, potentially setting up decades of lawsuits from polluting industries. Although industry and
many lawmakers view that as a nightmare scenario, stakeholders on both sides of the climate talks say that looks
increasingly likely unless the Senate negotiations get back on track.
Some people closely involved in the talks say the last-minute collapse after months of negotiations has destroyed
the principals' credibility and any opportunity for a bipartisan compromise.
But Kerry - who has been trying for a year to build bipartisan support for a climate bill that could fend off a
filibuster and has been working with Graham since October - worked the phones on Sunday in hopes of salvaging a
deal. Some in the energy industry groups he has courted say there remains a slim window of opportunity, which will
play out in the coming days, to get Graham back to the table and the bill back on track.
"It depends whether this is a pothole or sinkhole," said an environmentalist close to the negotiations. "If it's not
worked out in a few days I think that's a pretty bad sign."
Just Announced! June 2nd NADCA Energy Efficiency Workshop
Save the date for this one day seminar featuring Alex Monroe's
Cap and Trade Key note Presentation. The seminar will be held at Nemak in Sylacauga, AL. More information to come.
For the most current information visit:
www.diecasting.org/meetings/energy
