Time Warner, Energy Prices and Biofuels

Time Warner begins metering its customers’ Internet usage.

The Senate continues debate on major global warming legislation.

International officials debate the causes of soaring food prices around the world, including the use of food for production of biofuels like ethanol.

1. TECHNOLOGY

Time Warner begins metering its customers’ Internet usage.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Research Associate Ryan Radia on how best to respond to limited bandwidth capacity:

“It wouldn’t be surprising if we soon see calls for government to impose price controls because Comcast’s $1.50 per GB is ‘excessive’ and ‘unfair.’ For many proponents of government regulation of private networks, I suspect having neutral ISPs isn’t enough. They yearn for a utopian marketplace that offers limitless bandwidth, neutral networks, and affordable prices. And who doesn’t? But the best way to make this vision a reality is to foster private investment and let emerging technologies fill today’s competitive void.”

 

2. CONSUMER

The Senate continues debate on major global warming legislation.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of Energy & Global Warming Policy Myron Ebell on the costs associated with these policies:

“Similar ineffective global warming policies have pushed gas prices above eight dollars a gallon in the European Union. Higher electricity and gas prices would hit poor people the hardest, but probably wouldn’t bother former Vice President Al Gore or Senator Barbara Boxer’s neighbors in Marin County, California.”

 

3. FOOD

International officials debate the causes of soaring food prices around the world, including the use of food for production of biofuels like ethanol.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Adjunct Scholar Fran Smith on the many drawbacks to expanding ethanol use:

“…the huge subsidies for corn-based ethanol production have serious unintended consequences. These include increased pollution, higher food prices, higher land costs, and other problems caused not by supply and demand in the marketplace, but by the government determining what is to be supplied – ethanol — and demanding its use.”

 

Blog feature: For more news and analysis, updated throughout the day, visit CEI’s blog, Open Market.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To contact a CEI expert for comment or interviews, please call the CEI communications department at 202-331-2273 or email to [email protected].