The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Issues in the News

1. BUSINESS

Wal-Mart plans a large-scale expansion into China.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Adjunct Fellow Zachary Courser on why Wal-Mart has been good for American consumers: 

“What has been Wal-Mart’s real effect on the U.S. economy, and is it as dire as some of the critics suggest? The answer is that Wal-Mart has proven to be an enormously positive influence on the economy, single-handedly increasing overall productivity and keeping retail prices low throughout America. The company has managed this while maintaining pay and benefits for its workers well in line with the rest of the retail industry. Considering the facts, on balance, Wal-Mart has been — and continues to be — good for America.”

2. ENERGY

Texas energy producer TXU Corp decides not to build several coal-fired power plants as part of a deal with Wall Street deal makers .

CEI Experts Available to Comment: Senior Fellow Iain Murray on how activist pressure is slowing the development of necessary energy infrastructure:

“To back up their objections, many environmental pressure groups generally have large budgets and huge teams of lawyers. One group boasted of having 75 lawyers working on a measure in California. These groups are currently running a massive campaign in Texas to prevent the building of new coal-fired plants without which the state will be patently unable to meet its needs. Transmission lines face even worse obstruction.”

3. ENVIRONMENT

Canadian cities ban using pesticides for “aesthetic” reasons.

CEI Experts Available to Comment: Director of Risk & Environmental Policy Angela Logomasini on the thinking behind the bans:

“There is no good evidence to suggest that these products properly applied pose a serious public health risk or environmental problem, nor is there evidence that the allegedly “natural” alternatives won’t pose greater risks.”