Wednesday Energy Links (and, Some Non-Energy Links) --- and Wow, A Lot of Them Today

First, of course, RBN Energy. Today, another in the series of bringing Permian (East Texas) oil to the Gulf refineries, and taking the pressure off Cushing. Bottom line: it won't be long before Cushing will be able to handle all of Bakken's oil. Or will it?

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Then, google cellphones are eating the family budget. I've thought about this often -- started thinking about it two or three or more years ago; never remembered to post a story, but now the WSJ has. One wonders how much tectonic cultural changes have aggravated the jobs market.

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Speaking of unemployment, Rigzone has a long article on US energy, jobs, and the health of the US economy. Even before reading it, readers can probably guess what the article has to say.

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Several articles on electric cars in the WSJ today. I may or may not link them. I think I've linked the pertinent ones earlier. More models will soon be available including the new Toyota model which will ship ... drum roll ... 100 (one hundred, no zeroes missing) in 2013. Another story on Tesla -- not good news for investors; but good news for workers ... and management. Google its cars delayed, Tesla raises cash.

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We talked about this yesterday: the demise of big box stores. Now a huge article in the WSJ today, page B10, google new web victim: office-supply store. "Staples will reduce retail space to focus online; big box category criticized for moving slowly."

As you know, Toys 'R Us, is taking a slightly different business tack: increasing personnel to manage a system in which folks order on-line, have item shipped to store (not to their home), and then the customers go to the Toys 'R Us store to pick up their item. It defies common sense. The purpose is to get foot traffic into the story; the CEO has admitted as much. The young, wired generation sees through this. I could be wrong, but I see it as a recipe for disaster. [Note: to store, shipping is free; to home, orders > $49 are free; so it may not seem as bad as it might. I also assume I was wrong yesterday when I suggested ordering on-line, TRU would ship the item to the store; I assume they would do that only if the item was not already available there. Now it sounds more like one-day layaway. Maybe it will work but adding staff to make it work seems problematic. Bottom line: I'm probably wrong. Maybe TRU should market it as "same-day layaway" or "one-day layaway."]

Back to Staples. The iPad and other tablets are paring demand for personal computers, printers, and other office accessories.

"The number 1 reason for softness in this [office supply] business is the iPad. Look at how much less we print today."

I print almost nothing these days. I also save almost no paper statements; I scan "everything." I started scanning out of necessity; I'm seldom where my "stuff" is.

For Toys 'R Us, it's not the iPad, but Amazon with free shipping to your home, that is the competitor.

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It is quite remarkable to see all the stories -- even in the WSJ -- devoted to the NFL and the high school referees. By the way, I happened to catch a short conservation on ESPN while out and about yesterday.  Two talking heads, one a past player, one a past coach (apparently; I didn't recognize either) were talking about "the play." The coach had it exactly right: a) Green Bay should not have gotten into this position, where one play could determine the outcome (although it happens so often in pro football); and, b) the Green Bay defender should have batted the ball out of the end zone instead of trying to intercept it. This was the last play of the game. Everyone knew it would be a "hail, Mary" pass.