NEW THINGS: @3:49, 3/20/13

Business Day

U.S. Example Offers Hope for Cutting Carbon Emissions

By EDUARDO PORTER | Mar 20, 2013

Energy costs and market-driven technological advances have led to a major reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Coal; Natural Gas; United States Economy; Fuel Efficiency; Shale; United States Politics and Government; Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates); Alternative and Renewable Energy;

"Fatih Birol, chief economist of the International Energy Agency in Paris, points out that if civilization is to avoid catastrophic climate change, only about one third of the 3,000 gigatons of CO2 contained in the world’s known reserves of oil, gas and coal can be released into the atmosphere."

"Perhaps the most important lesson from the American natural gas boom is how prices drive both demand and supply. Putting a price on emissions of CO2 that reflects the burden they impose on the environment and the threat excessive amounts pose to future generations would almost certainly be the most effective strategy to persuade energy companies, power generators — and you and me — to spew less of it."

Appearances are that 1,500 gigatons have been spewed.

Science

Mars Rover ‘Back on Track,’ NASA Says

By HENRY FOUNTAIN | Mar 20, 2013

Engineers have repaired computer problems that stalled the craft, which they say should resume its work later this week.

Mars (Planet); Curiosity (Mars Rover); Space;

Good

Business Day

Britain Approves Construction of New Nuclear Power Plant

By STANLEY REED | Mar 20, 2013

The plant, at Hinkley Point in southwest England, is to generate enough electricity for five million homes, and be the first step toward updating a fleet of nine aging nuclear plants.

Nuclear Energy; Energy and Power; Building (Construction);

This negotiation is starting from the wrong end.

Britain must institute a fossil carbon tax.

Public money can be invested in the Hinkley Point Plant. This could be supported by the carbon tax revenue. The carbon tax will set a base price

for electric power. Power from fossil fuel costs about four times the price of heat. As EDF has no investment in the plant they have no say on what the yield from the investment is.

The yield on the investment is a reduction in carbon dioxide emitted.

This is a public good of no value to the financiers.

Real Estate

Renovation Pays Off for a Chelsea Nonprofit

By RONDA KAYSEN | Mar 20, 2013

New York Foundling will put more workers into smaller quarters, clearing three floors it can lease to other groups as a revenue source.

Real Estate (Commercial); Renting and Leasing (Real Estate); Restoration and Renovation; Nonprofit Organizations;

The Republican party is keeping New York Foundling in business.

U.S.

In Shift, Lobbyists Look for Bipartisan Support to Repeal a Tax

By ERIC LIPTON | Mar 20, 2013

In Washington, lobbyists who had long backed Republicans are also focusing on Democrats to build coalitions against a medical device tax imposed to pay for the new health care law.

Lobbying and Lobbyists; Federal Taxes (US); Medical Devices;

Still "Tax cuts for the rich".

The device tax is just a "kick back".

N.Y. / Region

Trial to Start in Class Suit on Stop-and-Frisk Tactic

By JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN | Mar 18, 2013

A federal judge will begin hearing testimony in a case to determine whether the New York Police Department has been unconstitutionally stopping black and Hispanic males in the street over the last decade.

Search and Seizure; Minorities; Blacks; Hispanic-Americans; Discrimination;

We will discover if constitutional law still has power.

Arts

Selling Stars, Brands and Baby Bands

By JON PARELES | Mar 18, 2013

Big names and big productions with corporate tie-ins were one thread at the South by Southwest festival, but lesser known acts still make up its core.

Music; South by Southwest Music and Media Conference; Rap and Hip-Hop; Rock Music;

SXSW is all about business.

Business is "Buy low, Sell high".

Technology

U.S. Files Fraud Charges in a Facebook I.P.O. Case

By REUTERS | Mar 20, 2013

Craig Berkman, a onetime candidate for Oregon governor, claimed to have access to shares of the company before it went public, said federal authorities.

Securities and Commodities Violations; Initial Public Offerings; Frauds and Swindling;

"The defendant, Craig L. Berkman, 71, falsely told investors he had access to scarce pre-I.P.O. shares of Facebook and other popular Internet companies like LinkedIn, Groupon and Zynga, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a statement.

But instead of buying shares for investors, Mr. Berkman made “Ponzi-like” payments to earlier investors and financed personal expenses, according to the commission, which filed a civil case."

Business Day

Real Fur, Masquerading as Faux

By JULIE CRESWELL | Mar 20, 2013

Neiman Marcus and two other retailers, DrJays.com and Eminent, settled federal claims that they had marketed real fur as fake fur.

Fur; Shopping and Retail; Animals; Fashion and Apparel; Advertising and Marketing; Labeling and Labels; Eminent Domain;

"On the face of it, the real-for-fake switch might not seem to make business sense. But because many people are no longer buying real fur, manufacturers and retailers are scrambling to meet growing demand for faux fur. As a result, some products are being mislabeled."

No. The texture is different and it matters.

Business Day

The Risks of Transferring a Car Loan to a Credit Card

By ANN CARRNS | Mar 18, 2013

Transferring loan balances to a zero percent interest credit card may seem to be a good idea, but it may come at a cost.

Automobile Financing; Credit Cards; Credit Scores; Personal Finances;

As I said, a trap.

Do a real loan if you must.

Far better to pay cash.

World

Chad: Poachers Slaughter More Than 80 Elephants

By REUTERS | Mar 20, 2013

Poachers killed at least 86 elephants in Chad last week, including 33 pregnant females and 15 calves, conservation groups said Tuesday.

Poaching (Wildlife); Elephants; Ivory;

We end the trade

or the elephant.

The Chinese will have to carve something else.

U.S.

It’s Move It or Lose It in Path of a Nor’easter

By JESS BIDGOOD | Mar 19, 2013

Some officials in Plum Island, Mass., say it’s time to face the reality of increasingly violent storms and rising seas and consider relocating coastal homes.

Coast Erosion; Environment; Disasters and Emergencies; Weather;

Buy them out.

Lease the habitable houses back to the occupants

with life time occupancy of habitable structures.

There should be no promise of permanence on a beach.

These structures are not investments.

N.Y. / Region

Police Dept. Monitor Among Topics at Forum

By J. DAVID GOODMAN | Mar 20, 2013

Christine C. Quinn, the Council speaker and mayoral candidate, told a candidates’ forum that she would keep Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, who opposes a monitor.

Debates (Political); Police;

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is right. The police have a management.

If it is not doing its job, fix it.

A fifth wheel does not help.

Business Day

Debevoise & Plimpton's Trusts and Estates Group Finds a New Home

By PETER LATTMAN | Mar 19, 2013

Loeb & Loeb has hired the group of trusts and estates lawyers from Debevoise & Plimpton, which had decided last year to eliminate the practice.

Legal Profession; Wills and Estates;

Finding these services for Americans abroad is part of the Consular service's job.

When I needed a lawyer I spoke with my insurance agent.

U.S.

Days of Promise Fade for Ethanol

By JOHN ELIGON and MATTHEW L. WALD | Mar 17, 2013

Five years ago, rural America was giddy for ethanol. But nearly 10 percent of the nation’s ethanol plants have stopped production over the past year.

Ethanol; Rural Areas; Alternative and Renewable Energy; United States

Economy;

Moonshine.

The problem is that gas is cheaper than alcohol right now.

We know two ways to fix that.

Business Day

In a New Aisle, Energy Drinks Sidestep Rules

By BARRY MEIER | Mar 20, 2013

The producer of Monster Energy will no longer be required to tell federal regulators about reports potentially linking its products to deaths and injuries.

Energy Drinks; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; Caffeine; Beverages; Dietary Supplements and Herbal Remedies;

I think the matter silly.

The parties to the fuss think it serious.

Take it to the lab. The answer can be known.

World

Report of Hostage’s Beheading

By REUTERS | Mar 20, 2013

Al Qaeda’s North African arm said Tuesday that it had beheaded a French hostage in retaliation for France’s intervention in Mali, Mauritania’s ANI news agency reported.

Deaths (Fatalities); Hostages; Terrorism; Kidnapping; Defense and Military Forces;

They have the attention they crave.

Education

Minority Groups Remain Outnumbered at Teaching Programs, Study Reports

By MOTOKO RICH | Mar 20, 2013

Despite major changes in the racial makeup of American public school students, the people training to be teachers are still predominantly white.

Teachers and School Employees; Education (K-12); Race and Ethnicity;

Money would fix the problem.

Opinion

How to Force Ethics on the Food Industry

By MICHAEL MUDD | Mar 17, 2013

Making people overweight is profitable. If we want change, we have to require it.

Food; Obesity; Diet and Nutrition; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; Ethics (Institutional);

Interesting problem.

The sales force is more effective than it should be.

It looks much like addictive drugs.

A pleasing product that kills slowly.

My preferred solution is a more pleasing product that does not kill.

World

French Minister Steps Down in Swiss Bank Investigation

By SCOTT SAYARE | Mar 20, 2013

Budget Minister Jérôme Cahuzac resigned from the French government on Tuesday evening, just after an announcement that he would be investigated on charges of tax fraud and money laundering.

Suspensions, Dismissals and Resignations; Banking and Financial Institutions; Tax Evasion; Frauds and Swindling; Money Laundering; European Sovereign Debt Crisis (2010- );

Reputation is easy to attack and hard to defend.

We see examples regularly.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

@10:50

Business Day

A Model for Reducing Emissions

By EDUARDO PORTER | Mar 20, 2013

Energy costs and market-driven technological advances have led to a major reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Coal; Natural Gas; United States Economy; Fuel Efficiency; Shale; United States Politics and Government; Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates); Alternative and Renewable Energy;

I want to see a scenario that goes to zero fossil carbon.

Science

Mars Rover Is Repaired, NASA Says

By HENRY FOUNTAIN | Mar 20, 2013

Business Day

Britain Approves Construction of New Nuclear Power Plant

By STANLEY REED | Mar 20, 2013

Real Estate

Renovation Pays Off for a Chelsea Nonprofit

By RONDA KAYSEN | Mar 20, 2013

U.S.

In Shift, Lobbyists Look for Bipartisan Support to Repeal a Tax

By ERIC LIPTON | Mar 20, 2013

N.Y. / Region