The states of Wyoming and Montana have huge tracts of coal which, under the current fervor of climate change have started to look less appealing both environmentally and economically. Right now, a huge percentage of the population of eastern Wyoming and Montana owe their economic viability to the existence of coal mining. Now, with new technology on the horizon, the future of those communities and the people in them  is beginning to look a little brighter. Turning coal into a clean fuel alternative would have huge implications to that region as well as to the environment around the world. I just say, more “power” to them – play on words intended.

I recently wrote an article about why the price of scrap has risen when the demand for steel continues to languish. I offered my take on it and asked others to offer theirs. Well, it seems World Steel Dynamics has responded (ok, so they were probably just responding to a multitude of people asking the same question so shoot me) by asserting most of what I stated and adding additional insight.  We may have to take a closer look at how we go after scrap.

Toyota was the first major car company to offer a hybrid car, the Prius and have definitely dominated that category ever since. Marketing gurus have said for some time that it is better to be first in a market than to be best. The Prius is a great modern example of that principle.

Now, the race for the first to have a plug-in car has intensified as Toyota steps up their efforts to get a plug-in into consumers’ hands. However, one wonders if there will really be a winner in terms of “first” with so many charging into this segment.

The Chevy Volt appears to still be on track to be the first – will they gain enough traction before another enters the market to truly take advantage of being first? In this case, I’m skeptical about their chances because of Toyota’s current dominance with Prius and their ramped up efforts to enter the market sooner than previously announced.

The one advantage GM will have is if their Volt is much more affordable to the masses since it appears Toyota’s version will be over-priced (around $33,770) for many US consumers. Let’s hope that the competitive nature of this particular race will force pricing to fit the pocketbooks of a much broader demographic.

A lot has been said about electric and hybrid cars and airlines are trying to find ways to reduce their carbon footprints but it doesn’t seem like there has been a lot said lately about trains. Now, it appears China is set on becoming a world leader in rail transportation. If their plan works, it should reduce the need for short commuter flights in China. But the question remains, is it efficient use of money to reduce carbon emissions? How much time and effort will it take to build the proper rail lines to make a difference? What do you think?

I guess it doesn’t matter how “Cash For Clunkers” programs are set up, they seem to run into problems. But what could anybody expect from a government-run program.