Going Green for Greenback!

With Led Zeppelin on the mind fresh off another outstanding performance by Classic Albums Live at The Hard Rock Orlando this weekend, like you I am dazed and confused regarding these gas prices and what options going forward present themselves.

Let me go on record predicting the price per barrel of oil looks like a blow-off top and will fall back below $100, possibly as low as $75, at least for the short term not withstanding any of the crazy terrorist activities over in the middle east.

However, I am interested in investment opportunities for the mid to long term as efforts are made to tackle this colossal issue of our time. I note the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standard (CAFE) bill signed into law, which is going to mandate extremely stiff fuel economy standards. Check out a related article below:

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/nhtsa-announces-new-cafe-standards-through-2015/

I think most every sound thinking individual can appreciate fuel efficiency from an economic and environmental perspective, but the going green crowd has got most folks not thinking clearly. GM's (GM:NYSE)Bob Lutz shares my perspective, that for the most part global warming is "a crock of shit". But, we are being legislated to join in, and at a heavy monetary price.

So, how can we profit from this? There are two areas of investment opportunity I have identified, and the first is nanotechnology. Nano is already a major factor on the world stage but as far as returns on investment, the results have been disappointing so far. Please see the below ETF Nano chart(PXN:NASDAQ).


A second area is concerning carbon graphite, which apparently going to be used for bodies of vehicles among other things in the very near future. This material is half the weight and is equally as strong. This alone could double fuel efficiency and modestly reduce total operating expenses. Please see the below article for further insight in this regard.

http://www.ornl.gov/info/press_releases/get_press_release.cfm?ReleaseNumber=mr20060306-00

This technology seems poised to play a significant role going forward. I have taken a position in a player in this industry, GrafTech International (GTI:NYSE). A review of the chart of GTI indicates potentially much higher prices.


Perhaps I am too optimistic, but there will be technology likely from the private sector which will present itself as an answer to many of the current issues we find at our doorstep currently. I am hoping to capitalize on any investment opportunities I find, which is the American way!