Anheuser-Busch Briefing Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
1615 H St NW, Washington, D.C.
Registration and Breakfast: 8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
Blog
May 17, 2013
By: Michael Hendrix
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation reads the Internet so that you don’t have to, sharing a short list of curated blog posts for your Friday reading.
Is the price of oil about to plunge? A new forecast from the International Energy Agency finds growing spare capacity in the global oil market, with many oil fields operating at less than full capacity. Recent years have seen oil markets sited on a precipice, with the merest hint of instability sending prices rocketing. Spare capacity will double next year and remain elevated through 2018. Here’s how this trend will impact the price of a barrel of oil:
“Brent crude is currently trading at about $102 a barrel. The IEA is forecasting $93 a barrel by 2018, and Brent futures on the ICE exchange are trading at $89 a barrel for that year. But prices could plunge more—last year, Citigroup forecast average $80-a-barrel prices through 2017, and they could drop even below that.”
May 16, 2013
By: Special Guest
This is a blog post from Jeff Lundy, Ph.D., Research Manager for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Business Civic Leadership Center. It was originally posted on the blog of BCLC. This is the first in a series of blog posts about Millennials in the workforce. The second post: "The Age of the Millennial has Arrived, but Are They Ready to Seize It?"
The Millennial generation is the future of the American public. While the opinions of older generations might be set, this younger generation brings new perspectives on society that can change the perception of American business. As the key to future perceptions of business, on what side will Millennials fall? Will business garner a higher perception or a lower one from the youngest Americans?
This blog post is the first in a two-part series by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation on the topic of Millennials. In this post, we will consider their role in changing the public's opinion of business. In the next post, we will consider a potential crisis of conflict among their generation.
The Issue of Trust
May 15, 2013
By: James Slutz
Which natural resource is extracted with a process known as hydraulic fracturing (fracking)? This was one of several questions about science asked in a survey conducted by Smithsonian Magazine and the Pew Research Center to assess the American public’s understanding of science. In the fracking question, a little more than 50% of Americans knew that it was associated with natural gas extraction. Overall, the researchers gave the public a “D+” grade on science.
What does the public’s understanding of science have to do with energy prices?
Every day, the federal government considers policies and regulations that impact energy production and use. Groups from all sides of the issues are recruiting the public to support their cause. An informed public with a basic understanding of the issues and science can play an important role in the development and implementation of effective public policy. Policy decisions on fracking, CO2 emission regulations, pipelines, and gasoline formulation are just a few that will affect future energy prices in the United States. Regulations that are based on sound science protect the public at the lowest possible cost. If we want these policies to be based on sound science, Americans must be scientifically literate.
May 13, 2013
By: Sheryll Poe
This article is part of a series on Enterprising States, a study produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The study, along with a accompanying Enterprising States Dashboard, was released at the U.S. Chamber's annual America’s Small Business Summit, April 29, 2013. This post was originally posted on Free Enterprise.
Government-imposed or government-related costs can have a major influence over the incentives and resources that are available for starting, operating, or expanding a business. Like large businesses, small businesses are negatively affected by exorbitantly high taxes, energy costs, volatile markets, lack of access to capital, expensive regulations, and problematic legal environments. Higher top marginal tax rates on personal income, for example, have been found to reduce a state’s share of the national entrepreneurial stock.
May 10, 2013
By: Michael Hendrix
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation reads the Internet so that you don’t have to, sharing a short list of curated blog posts for your Friday reading.
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Ted Alden finds that, despite the poor economy, Americans have surprisingly resilient values. Based on a recent Council on Foreign Relations report, he finds that “there is little indication that beliefs in individualism, the efficacy of hard work, and the potential for personal progress have been seriously eroded by the economic body blow the American public has absorbed.” The report goes on to note that “Americans remain broadly committed to the core precepts of the free market.”
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On most nights, Netflix accounts for one-third of all Internet traffic in North America.
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Do declining fast food sales portent a “new normal” in the restaurant industry?
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Bureaucrats around the world: A photo essay of red tape.
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