With the markets plunging one day and soaring the next, the voices of doom are everywhere.
For a calmer view of the economy, check out Fortune’s interview with Warren Buffett.
Among other things, the Oracle of Omaha says Standard & Poor’s downgrade of U.S. debt was wrong and he isn’t worried about another economic downtown — not yet.
If anyone questions the value of a company making green investments, ask them if $7 billion is an adequate ROI.
That’s the net profit Dow Chemical, which has a plant in Knoxville, reports it has earned from investing $2 billion in energy efficiency projects. Since 1994, the company has found ways to save 1.8 quadrillion British Thermal Units of energy.
That’s a lot of green — saved and earned.
Here’s the full story as reported by Fortune:
Fortune takes an interesting look at Alcoa Inc.’s battle with North Carolina to keep control of four hydroelectric dams on the Yadkin River.
Fortune reports that the aluminum giant has “turned on the charm offensive with state and local officials.”
Never thought I would see Alcoa called charming.
Read the complete story here: Alcoa’s new tactic in dam dispute: Charm
FedEx CEO Fred Smith has an interesting opinion piece in Fortune today calling on
Congress to quit stalling and pass a bill promoting electric vehicles.
“I am not someone who tends to advocate increased government involvement in the private sector. But there is no free market for oil. This is not a market issue — it is a national security issue,” Smith writes.
With oil pushing $100 a barrel and gasoline prices up substantially from a year ago, now would be a good time for Congress to take this issue seriously.
There’s always hope, but I won’t hold my breath. Congress isn’t exactly known for being reasonable.
Read Smith’s commentary: FedEx CEO: Let’s end our need for oil
Photo: FedEx all-electric delivery truck. (FedEx)
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, which has made a sizable investment in its Knoxville
operation, is No. 2 on Fortune’s annual list of the fastest-growing companies.
That’s up from No. 11 a year ago.
The maker of Keurig single-serving brewing systems has seen 55 percent revenue growth and 96 percent earnings per share growth.