Economic policies that look like the start of a trade war are really aimed at addressing domestic economic problems.
Energy
What Would Make an All-Electric Car Appeal to the Masses?
It’s widely assumed that the car of the future will be powered by gasoline. At least partly powered by gas, that is, and at least for the near future. When, if ever, will the pure-electric car — one powered solely by battery, …
Lots of Goodies Were Stuffed into the Fiscal Cliff Deal
A host of special interests, from filmmakers to rum distillers, got tax breaks in last week’s fiscal cliff deal.
Small Towns Get Boost From Oil, Gas as Wealth Shifts Away From Cities
The Great Recession hit small towns hard. But according to a new analysis, small-town America is actually experiencing an economic revival thanks to an oil and gas boom.
The Pessimist’s Guide to Surviving the Fiscal Cliff
Whatever the budget deal, it probably won’t be able to prevent sluggish growth and the risk of rising inflation.
Where in the World is Con Ed?
Taking two weeks to restore power is unconscionable. It’s also part of a troublesome trend of more and longer outages that point up major flaws in our national power grid. How long before we bury the power lines?
None of the Above
Does either candidate really believe in an “all of the above” energy policy?
On the Great Lakes, a Dry Summer Slows a Recovering Shipping Industry
Low water levels on the Mississippi River, which have snarled cargo traffic and completely halted hundreds of barges at a time, got most of the media attention during this year’s arid summer. But the weird weather is also having …
Why Isn’t There More Inflation?
Huge deficits and ultra-low interest rates should have led to serious inflation by now. The great mystery of the past three years is why they haven’t.
Hurricane Isaac Causes Billions in Damage, But Far Less Than Katrina
After stalling for days over Louisiana and Mississippi, it’s estimated that Hurricane Isaac could cause up to $2 billion in onshore economic damage.
When Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans seven years ago, it left a …
9 Reasons Why This Economy Feels So Bad
The recent slump has been unusually painful, and the feeble recovery has been disappointing. But today’s economy seems even worse than it actually is
Why Gas Is Getting Cheaper – and Could Hit $3 a Gallon
Gasoline prices normally rise in late spring and stay high through the summer, but this year they appear likely to keep falling.