As 2009 is drawing to a close, I share some thoughts about what 2010 may hold for the U.S. and its energy prices, supply, demand, and policies—with some humor thrown into the mix... Enjoy!
10. Further shut-ins of existing natural gas drilling rigs. Dramatic pullback in domestic production and Canadian imports. All hale shale gas!
9. Continuing low electricity and natural gas prices. But prices will rise—the big question is when. Stock up and save now! (Just don’t try storing it at home.)
8. Major geopolitical event (Middle East), terrorist attack (within U.S.), or weather phenomenon (Gulf Coast)? Here’s hoping for peace on earth.
7. Speculative and hedge fund traders causing natural gas prices to move in ways that cannot be explained by fundamental supply and demand. Those crazy Wall Street kids and their crazy shenanigans.
6. Where are the DOW and S&P headed? Is the market pushed “artificially” high? Will unemployment drag down everything again? Can the Chicago Bears ever return to the Super Bowl?
5. Follow-up to Copenhagen (COP15) – Something most definitely (not) rotten in the state of Denmak. (It’s really a lovely country, though I’ve never been. Have you? Any sight-seeing recommendations?)
4. President Obama’s push for energy (and carbon) legislation. Bills await lengthy congressional debate—don’t hold your breath (although that would cut down CO2 emissions). Something should pass both houses in some form, possibly without carbon. Perhaps a variation of Waxman-Markey, Kerry-Boxer, Simon-Garfunkel, Batman-Robin, …
3. Continued stimulus roll-out in terms of expenditures across all sectors. Will this help boost the economy into clear recovery? Chance of an encore?
2. Renewables continue to gain market share, if the stars (er, tax credits) align, but they’re still no match for coal’s huge existing footprint.
1. “Mr. Fusion” becomes a reality; and so hybrid vehicles become just another fad that was “so 2007–09.”