Friday, August 29, 2008
Feeling No Pain
The truth, of course, is that visiting the emergency room in a medical crisis is no substitute for regular care. Furthermore, while a hospital will treat you whether or not you can pay, it will also bill you — and the bill won’t be waived unless you’re destitute. As a result, uninsured working Americans avoid visiting emergency rooms if at all possible, because they’re terrified by the potential cost: medical expenses are one of the prime causes of personal bankruptcy.
By PAUL KRUGMAN - Feeling No Pain
By PAUL KRUGMAN - Feeling No Pain
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Cities Debate Privatizing Public Infrastructure
Cleaning up road kill and maintaining runways may not sound like cutting-edge investments. But banks and funds with big money seem to think so. By JENNY ANDERSON
Reeling from more exotic investments that imploded during the credit crisis, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, the Carlyle Group, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse are among the investors who have amassed an estimated $250 billion war chest — much of it raised in the last two years — to finance a tidal wave of infrastructure projects in the United States and overseas.
Read More HERE
Reeling from more exotic investments that imploded during the credit crisis, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, the Carlyle Group, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse are among the investors who have amassed an estimated $250 billion war chest — much of it raised in the last two years — to finance a tidal wave of infrastructure projects in the United States and overseas.
Read More HERE
The Energy Challenge
Mike Groll/Associated PressWhen the builders of the Maple Ridge Wind farm spent $320 million to put nearly 200 wind turbines in upstate New York, the idea was to get paid for producing electricity. But at times, regional electric lines have been so congested that Maple Ridge has been forced to shut down even with a brisk wind blowing. By MATTHEW L. WALD
Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid’s Limits
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A Short Guide to the Economics of Capitalism
Pluto Press, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Fernwood Publishing Inc. have jointly issued Economics for Everyone: A Short Guide to the Economics of Capitalism, by Jim Stanford. Jim is one of Canada's best-known economists: he works for the Canadian Auto Workers, and writes a regular economics column for the Globe and Mail.Economics for Everyone
Download a PDF Poster of the event here.
Doug Arden To Perform at IBEW 2067 Conference
Doug’s incredibly entertaining comedy variety show is what many clients have described as the “perfect corporate entertainment”. Unlike “one dimensional” acts such as stand-up comedians, or traditional magicians, Doug’s creative blend of clean comedy, incredible magic and hilarious ventriloquism is a show that has something for literally everyone! The performance is a radical departure from traditional magic shows, and has become a leading entertainment choice for corporate and community events across Canada.Doug Arden
Dr. Karyn Gordon to Spaeak at IBEW 2067 Conference
Dr. Karyn is frequently interviewed by national media to share her expert opinions on understanding Generation Y. For 3 years she hosted and executive produced her own music talk-show, “Spill Your Guts” in which she interviewed rock stars (i.e. Everclear, Sum 41, Our Lady Peace, Matchbox 20 and many others) about the lessons they learned as teenagers (Global TV Canwest). For 2 years she hosted her own radio talk show, ‘Bridging the Gap’ (Newstalk 1010, CFRB) and for the last 4 years she has been the expert on the TV show, “The Mom Show” (Slice Network).
Dr Karyn
Jim Warren to Address IBEW 2067 Conference
This book is created for the working people it celebrates. In a plain-spoken and engaging narrative style, it captures the events, and the personalities, that shaped the working people of Saskatchewan, and the life of the province that those workers built. The authors tell the fascinating tale of jobs, working conditions, and the attempts to effect meaningful changes in the condition of workers’ lives.
On the Side of the People
Slave labor in America
In his gripping investigative book Nobodies: Modern American Slave Labor and the Dark Side of the New Global Economy, John Bowe tells the story of workers who are literally or virtually enslaved to fatten the profits of dozens of American food and clothing chains, including Wal-Mart, McDonald's, Burger King, PepsiCo, Gap, Polo Ralph Lauren, and others. In this excerpt, he outlines the shocking facts about migrant farm workers.Nobodies by John Bowe.
Massachusetts Officials Say Corrosion Led to Fatal Boiler Explosion
Massachusetts safety officials have found that defective welding and corrosion led to a boiler explosion at the Salem Harbor Springs power plant that killed three workers.
Read the Report
Read the Report
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Just How Big is the Bakken?
Only a huge, but now diminishing oil field in Saudi Arabia is capable of pumping more conventional oil out of the ground right now. The Bakken play which stretches from Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and up into southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba is just beginning to tap its potential.
From Norm Park: Original Story
Still no Limits to the mad rush known as the Bakken
From Norm Park: Original Story
Still no Limits to the mad rush known as the Bakken
Green shift for a warming planet
Securing Saskatchewan's brightest future: The Green Shift levy on carbon pollution would apply at the wholesale level in the marketing process, which effectively spreads the impact broadly among both producers and consumers. It's not left to any one sector or region to carry the load.
But it's in the positioning of Saskatchewan as a brainy, progressive environmental performer that this province really stands to gain.
Ralph Goodale
Green Shift will make us efficient
But it's in the positioning of Saskatchewan as a brainy, progressive environmental performer that this province really stands to gain.
Ralph Goodale
Green Shift will make us efficient
The Wind at His back
‘Europe’s Al Gore’ has already revolutionized the energy grid in Germany. Now, Hermann Scheer is challenging Canada to do the same
From Vancouver Peak Oil Via: CHRIS TURNER
From Vancouver Peak Oil Via: CHRIS TURNER
Check credit rating annually
Reviewing your credit report on a regular basis can also be a good defence against identity theft. By reviewing your credit report you are able to see if there are any suspicious credit card accounts or loans that may be the result of someone obtaining your personal information fraudulently.
From Rick Soparlo,
From Rick Soparlo,
Workers, citizens miss potash profits
In fact, stock options held by top PCS executives are worth more than the wages paid to all PCS employees and royalties paid to the Government of Saskatchewan last year.
Read More from Ken Neumann HERE
Read More from Ken Neumann HERE
Is Nuclear the Answer to Global Warming?
Cost comparisons of nuclear vs. sustainable,
renewable alternatives should put the final nail in
the nuclear coffin. While the nuclear industry says
new reactors could produce electricity for 6-7 cents
per kWh, these estimates depend on the nuclear
industry continuing to be heavily subsidized by the
taxpayer. When the cost of borrowing money is
factored in, Ontario’s Energy Probe estimates that
subsidies to the AECL total around $75 billion.
Several studies (e.g. reported in New Scientist, and
discussed in Helen Caldicotts new book) have
shown that without these direct and hidden
subsidies, the cost of nuclear would increase threefold
(i.e. 300%) to the consumer. This holds true for
Ontario’s Hydro’s consumers who suffer from a
serious case of “nuclear dependence”, which has
created a public debt of $35 billion.
Read more from Jim Harding, HERE
renewable alternatives should put the final nail in
the nuclear coffin. While the nuclear industry says
new reactors could produce electricity for 6-7 cents
per kWh, these estimates depend on the nuclear
industry continuing to be heavily subsidized by the
taxpayer. When the cost of borrowing money is
factored in, Ontario’s Energy Probe estimates that
subsidies to the AECL total around $75 billion.
Several studies (e.g. reported in New Scientist, and
discussed in Helen Caldicotts new book) have
shown that without these direct and hidden
subsidies, the cost of nuclear would increase threefold
(i.e. 300%) to the consumer. This holds true for
Ontario’s Hydro’s consumers who suffer from a
serious case of “nuclear dependence”, which has
created a public debt of $35 billion.
Read more from Jim Harding, HERE
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Coalition members meet with ministers
Norm park - Estevan Mercury
Members of the Estevan and area Clean Coal Coalition travelled to Regina last Wednesday morning (July 9) to meet with members of the provincial cabinet. They came away from the session feeling a little more optimistic about a clean coal project in southeast Saskatchewan than they did going into the session.
The four members of the Estevan team consisted of coalition chairman Herb Padwick, Mayor Gary St. Onge, Greg Hoffort, secretary-treasurer for the RM of Estevan and Jim Wilson, member-at-large.
The foursome met with Ken Cheveldayoff, minister of Crown Corporations and Dan D'Autremont, minister of Government Services. MLA Doreen Eagles was unable to attend due to family concerns and Lyle Stewart, Minister of Enterprise and Innovation, who was also scheduled to meet with the local group, made just a brief appearance, informing them he had another appointment that conflicted with the Estevan group's assigned time.
"We received some assurances that coal and clean coal will figure into the future and our area is part of that mix," said Padwick on Thursday morning following the meeting.
He said the local group felt compelled to arrange the meeting for a couple of reasons. The recent announcement and follow-up rumours surrounding nuclear power options in Saskatchewan made the local group more than a little nervous as did the fact that there have been no announcements or decisions made regarding a proposed $1.4 billion clean coal, carbon dioxide sequestration project at Boundary Dam.
"We hadn't heard a thing since the project was re-announced this past winter," said Padwick.
The group said they heard from Cheveldayoff that Saskatchewan and Alberta are working on CO2 recovery projects using different technologies and will be sharing the information to determine which one can be used in the future.
"It was generally short on details, but he did tell us that Premier Wall had met with Premier Stelmach (Alberta) on the subject," said Padwick.
"We received some assurances, but at the same time heard that right now, everything is being considered. We're not necessarily anti-nuclear or anti-anything at this stage, we're just pro-coal and we need to protect some jobs here."
Padwick said that both ministers were very positive in terms of future coal based projects but so far nothing had been said about the possibilities of building a 300 to 450 megawatt addition to the Shand Power Station.
The Estevan group took a list of 10 questions with them and presented them to the ministers who promised them a written response to the queries within 10 working days. Padwick said those written responses could tell the local citizens a lot about the government's commitment to a clean coal project in southeast Saskatchewan.
Read More From Park HERE
Also
Answers on clean coal project start to emerge
NDP Trio Visits Energy City
Members of the Estevan and area Clean Coal Coalition travelled to Regina last Wednesday morning (July 9) to meet with members of the provincial cabinet. They came away from the session feeling a little more optimistic about a clean coal project in southeast Saskatchewan than they did going into the session.
The four members of the Estevan team consisted of coalition chairman Herb Padwick, Mayor Gary St. Onge, Greg Hoffort, secretary-treasurer for the RM of Estevan and Jim Wilson, member-at-large.
The foursome met with Ken Cheveldayoff, minister of Crown Corporations and Dan D'Autremont, minister of Government Services. MLA Doreen Eagles was unable to attend due to family concerns and Lyle Stewart, Minister of Enterprise and Innovation, who was also scheduled to meet with the local group, made just a brief appearance, informing them he had another appointment that conflicted with the Estevan group's assigned time.
"We received some assurances that coal and clean coal will figure into the future and our area is part of that mix," said Padwick on Thursday morning following the meeting.
He said the local group felt compelled to arrange the meeting for a couple of reasons. The recent announcement and follow-up rumours surrounding nuclear power options in Saskatchewan made the local group more than a little nervous as did the fact that there have been no announcements or decisions made regarding a proposed $1.4 billion clean coal, carbon dioxide sequestration project at Boundary Dam.
"We hadn't heard a thing since the project was re-announced this past winter," said Padwick.
The group said they heard from Cheveldayoff that Saskatchewan and Alberta are working on CO2 recovery projects using different technologies and will be sharing the information to determine which one can be used in the future.
"It was generally short on details, but he did tell us that Premier Wall had met with Premier Stelmach (Alberta) on the subject," said Padwick.
"We received some assurances, but at the same time heard that right now, everything is being considered. We're not necessarily anti-nuclear or anti-anything at this stage, we're just pro-coal and we need to protect some jobs here."
Padwick said that both ministers were very positive in terms of future coal based projects but so far nothing had been said about the possibilities of building a 300 to 450 megawatt addition to the Shand Power Station.
The Estevan group took a list of 10 questions with them and presented them to the ministers who promised them a written response to the queries within 10 working days. Padwick said those written responses could tell the local citizens a lot about the government's commitment to a clean coal project in southeast Saskatchewan.
Read More From Park HERE
Also
Answers on clean coal project start to emerge
NDP Trio Visits Energy City
Electrical union threatens walkout
Darcy Henton, The Edmonton JournalPublished: Thursday, July 17
EDMONTON - More than 450 workers who operate TransAlta's power plants plan to walk off the job Friday for five hours, but the utility says electrical generation in the province won't be disrupted.
The workers, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, served TransAlta with notice earlier this week of the planned walkout to back demands for a new collective agreement, said Local 254 assistant business manager Carter Woloszyn.
"We ran into some problems," he said. "We didn't feel we were getting a rich enough offer."
The union, which represents workers at Sundance, Wabamun and Keephills plants west of Edmonton as well as 13 hydro plants, says its members will also refuse to work overtime until a new deal is reached.
Woloszyn said TransAlta responded by announcing plans to lock out employees during the strike action.
Both sides planned to meet today to try to avert the brief walkout.
"Hopefully we can resolve our outstanding issues," Woloszyn said.
TransAlta spokesman Michael Lawrence said management will operate the plants during the walkout.
"This won't affect the safety or the reliability of the Alberta power grid in any fashion whatsoever," said Lawrence. "It's disappointing that the members voted to take this action, especially since we've been working with their leadership for the past eight months to provide them with a very competitive offer."
He said TransAlta remains confident it can reach an agreement with the union.
The union said the strike will be the first labour disruption in the 58-year history of negotiations with TransAlta.
Workers say they are looking for the same $13,000 bonus, paid out in $500 increments every two weeks, that Epcor workers are receiving.
Read More HERE
EDMONTON - More than 450 workers who operate TransAlta's power plants plan to walk off the job Friday for five hours, but the utility says electrical generation in the province won't be disrupted.
The workers, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, served TransAlta with notice earlier this week of the planned walkout to back demands for a new collective agreement, said Local 254 assistant business manager Carter Woloszyn.
"We ran into some problems," he said. "We didn't feel we were getting a rich enough offer."
The union, which represents workers at Sundance, Wabamun and Keephills plants west of Edmonton as well as 13 hydro plants, says its members will also refuse to work overtime until a new deal is reached.
Woloszyn said TransAlta responded by announcing plans to lock out employees during the strike action.
Both sides planned to meet today to try to avert the brief walkout.
"Hopefully we can resolve our outstanding issues," Woloszyn said.
TransAlta spokesman Michael Lawrence said management will operate the plants during the walkout.
"This won't affect the safety or the reliability of the Alberta power grid in any fashion whatsoever," said Lawrence. "It's disappointing that the members voted to take this action, especially since we've been working with their leadership for the past eight months to provide them with a very competitive offer."
He said TransAlta remains confident it can reach an agreement with the union.
The union said the strike will be the first labour disruption in the 58-year history of negotiations with TransAlta.
Workers say they are looking for the same $13,000 bonus, paid out in $500 increments every two weeks, that Epcor workers are receiving.
Read More HERE
Pensions in Canada inadequate
Talbot Boggs - July 29, 2008: Sympatico MSN
(Special) – A recent report has added still more depressing data to the growing plethora of evidence indicating Canadians aren't financially prepared for retirement.
The Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM) says in a report the typical pension plans being offered to Canadian workers won't make a "meaningful" contribution to the creation of an adequate retirement income for them.
The report, Delivering the Potential of DC Savings Plans, says that only 25 per cent of people working for private employers have a registered pension plan of any sort, and employers are favouring group Retirement Savings Plans or no plans at all over defined contribution plans.
Other reports show that between 1991 and 2004, the number of paid workers in Canada covered by a Registered Pension Plan declined to 39 per cent from 45.3 per cent at the same time as the proportion of workers covered by defined benefit pension plans is declining.
Individual and group RSPs are defined contribution plans in which the amount of contribution is fixed at a certain level while benefits vary depending on the return from investments.
In some cases, employees make voluntary contributions into a tax-deferred account which may or may not be matched by employers. The level of contribution may be selected by the employee within a range set by the employer, usually between two and 10 per cent of annual salary.
Defined-contribution pension plans, unlike defined-benefit pension plans, give the employee options of where to invest, usually in stock, bond, and money market accounts.
A defined-benefit pension plan, however, promises to pay a specified amount (based on a predetermined formula) to each person who retires after a set number of years of service.
Defined-contribution plans have become increasingly popular in recent years because they limit a company's pension outlay and shift the liability for investment performance from the company's pension plan to employees.
A recent study by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the University of Waterloo concludes that two thirds of Canadian households expecting to retire in 2030 are not saving enough to meet necessary living expenses such as food, shelter, clothing, transportation, health care and taxes.
Read More From Boggs HERE
(Special) – A recent report has added still more depressing data to the growing plethora of evidence indicating Canadians aren't financially prepared for retirement.
The Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM) says in a report the typical pension plans being offered to Canadian workers won't make a "meaningful" contribution to the creation of an adequate retirement income for them.
The report, Delivering the Potential of DC Savings Plans, says that only 25 per cent of people working for private employers have a registered pension plan of any sort, and employers are favouring group Retirement Savings Plans or no plans at all over defined contribution plans.
Other reports show that between 1991 and 2004, the number of paid workers in Canada covered by a Registered Pension Plan declined to 39 per cent from 45.3 per cent at the same time as the proportion of workers covered by defined benefit pension plans is declining.
Individual and group RSPs are defined contribution plans in which the amount of contribution is fixed at a certain level while benefits vary depending on the return from investments.
In some cases, employees make voluntary contributions into a tax-deferred account which may or may not be matched by employers. The level of contribution may be selected by the employee within a range set by the employer, usually between two and 10 per cent of annual salary.
Defined-contribution pension plans, unlike defined-benefit pension plans, give the employee options of where to invest, usually in stock, bond, and money market accounts.
A defined-benefit pension plan, however, promises to pay a specified amount (based on a predetermined formula) to each person who retires after a set number of years of service.
Defined-contribution plans have become increasingly popular in recent years because they limit a company's pension outlay and shift the liability for investment performance from the company's pension plan to employees.
A recent study by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the University of Waterloo concludes that two thirds of Canadian households expecting to retire in 2030 are not saving enough to meet necessary living expenses such as food, shelter, clothing, transportation, health care and taxes.
Read More From Boggs HERE
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