April 1, 2010

What’s Bugging Me

I’m often asked about my source of ideas for this space each month. I have two primary sources of subject material. First, I read the industry news every day and save those items that either annoy or agitate me. At the end of the month, I go over the list, often a long one, and pick the one item that immediately motivates me to take virtual pen to paper. This month, no single item emerged as the topic for my bully pulpit, so I present a potpourri of loosely connected topics for your consideration. (It should be noted that other things bug other members of the editorial staff; we’re a diverse group and do not always agree about industry issues.)

Foreign Corporate Influences

The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), a.k.a. Waxman-Markey, is frozen in the U.S. Senate, and the recent "climategate" revelations will help keep it in the deep freeze. However, several enormous non-U.S.-based engineered-equipment conglomerates continue to support lobbying organizations that seek passage of this legislation. The email stream is unending. Why is that? Could it be that Waxman-Markey manufactures new and potentially lucrative "business opportunities" that will surely ship fat profits earned in the U.S. (your tax dollars) overseas?

Another interesting press release arrived this month from the Investigative Reporting Workshop. That group found that 79% of the more than $2 billion in stimulus payments for wind turbine equipment so far went to foreign manufacturers. Both trends are a slap in the face of U.S. manufacturers.