1. A Sustainable US Energy Future 
2. Europe Feels the Sting
3. Resource Nationalism (Submitted by Chris Berry)

It is becoming obvious to even the most casual observers that alternative, “Green,” energy is not price competitive. There are many issues that have cropped up as the world of Al Gore and John Brown rushed head long into alternative energy programs and then dropped unceremoniously off the cliff.  For the most part, none of these “alternatives” have been tested and found to be economic in large scale deployment.  It has been disappointing and injurious.  Not because the millions of President Obama’s “Green Jobs” have not materialized. Nor is it that the billions spent on “shovel ready” green projects were also a figment of the Administration’s imagination.  

Instead the build out of alternative energy technology is proving costly and deleterious to the environment on its own.  It will not be economically effective in solving energy dependence or our economic problems for decades. In fact it will impose a horrendous tax on all citizens for decades.   

For example each wind machine requires 5 tons of copper, half of which must be imported to the US.  Another requirement is cobalt and the US imports 80% of its cobalt needs.  Green energy will NEVER solve the world’s carbon problems or ease the self imposed guilt trip the populous has been brainwashed to accept.  Has it simply been a brilliant ploy for a government takeover of the energy space?  

Throughout human history we have seen many such deceptions and articles of faith. Recent examples of human hubris stand out including the unsinkable Titanic, the US Space Shuttle proposed to be everyman’s road to space, the Chunnel between Britain and France and President Nixon’s 1971 proclamation that solving cancer would require money and an effort comparable to the US landing on the moon. More recently, of course, global warming and the notion that humans control climate have become the bête noire, the latest example of extreme hubris.  Simply apply Western technology and capital and the problem will vanish.  No so fast.  Many think, with some justification, that the entire idea is a sham to contribute to world governance.  In part the recent thrashing of President Obama’s candidates in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts repudiates this entire program. Mom and pop are losing confidence quickly in this government fiasco.

Last week President Obama admitted, for the first time, that nuclear must be part of the equation by upping the nuclear budget by $18 billion to $54 billion. Southern Company will build 2 new (third Generation) nukes to be operable by 2016.  But to make a real impact we must mobilize in China-like fashion.  To have a positive impact on greenhouse gases nuclear electricity generation would have to increase from its current 20% to 33% of the total.  That would require another one hundred reactors. This is indeed a 30 year process.  

…..read pages 2-6 HERE

The good news about the oil supply? Peak oil is a crock. There’s plenty of oil. It’s just harder to get to it now than it was 20 years ago.

The oil is deep underground or below miles of sea or mixed with sand or in places where the underground pressure to bring it up has fizzled out.

The question isn’t whether the technology exists to get hundreds of billions of barrels out of the ground. The technology is there. But in many cases, deploying it is an expensive proposition.

How to light a fire under the oil companies? The answer doesn’t lie in government subsidies and grants. That’s the last thing the oil sector needs. Let the marketplace motivate them.

Oil companies talk about raising production all the time. Talk is cheap, and so are the oil companies when it comes to investing in their E&P (exploration and production) operations.

But let supply run low and prices run high. With fat profit margins to fall back on, new technologies will be unleashed.

In short, oil companies need to find more oil — and they will. If they don’t, they won’t be able to leverage rising oil prices. And besides, a future without oil ain’t in the cards…

Basic Energy Fact #1: Oil is the lifeblood of modern society — has been for quite a while. In fact, the rise of oil and the modern economy has gone hand-in-hand. One would not exist without the other.

Basic Energy Fact #2: Energy consumption will rise 35 percent by 2030, according to a number of energy research firms and oil companies. And which energy resource will be number one in 2030? The same one that is number one now: oil.

Basic Energy Fact #3: Renewables like wind, power, hydro, and thermal will increase their piece of the pie. But don’t expect miracles. I love solar and wind. But I don’t expect energy production from them to contribute more than 10 percent of the total energy pie by 2030. Right now, they have a 5 percent slice.

What’s happening right now is part of the boom-and-bust cycles endemic to the energy sector. In down times, underinvestment prevails, nicely setting up the boom part of the cycle.

Underinvestment will give way to rising prices, leading companies to invest more in E&P. Eventually, supply will catch up to demand and prices will fall. A bust is turning into a boom right in front of our eyes.

The big integrated oil companies will benefit nicely. Take your pick. ExxonMobil, British Petroleum, Chevron, and Conoco-Philips all make nice long-term picks.

IDE’s Dr. Rusty McDougal edits the Resource Windfall Speculator)

State Controller John Chiang issued a stern warning Friday about California’s cash reserves, telling legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger they must act on nearly $9 billion in budget cuts the governor is seeking by March — or the state will run out of cash to pay its bills. — Denis C. Theriault

….read more HERE

What do you get when you combineover seven years of work, over $18 million spent, a 100%* of a world renowned property, an award winning geoscientist, and three shots at striking it big?

Read on to find out…

Investing in juniors is very similar to investing like a venture capitalist. The goal is to invest in a bunch of different prospects using calculated risk in hopes to strike it big with one.

But that one could change their forever

Over the past month, we have been scouring the markets in search of our next Special Report Featured Company. We looked at hundreds of undervalued juniors from gold and silver miners to alternative energy stocks. Finally, we found one.

They weren’t a near term producer, nor did they have a significant 43-101 resource.

It was because their story was remarkable.

We`re about to tell you a story that is 7 years in the making and costs over $18 million. Finally, it appears that the final chapters are about to be written. Meet our first Featured Company of 2010:

Arctic Star Diamond Corp. (TSX-V: ADD)

Their story is not only unique but the timing of this release could not be better.

Every investor knows that the best time to invest in ANY company is right before they hit the jackpot.

……..read more HERE