» Monthly Archives: December 2011
EPA Plans to Close Coal Power Plants Point to Big Problems Ahead
By Christopher Hopkins, Senior Vice President for Aggregates and Mining
The Saint Consulting Group
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to force the shutdown of up to 66 coal fired power plants over the next three years, totaling 14.7 gigawatts or enough electricity to power over 22 million homes.
As a Huffington Post article explains, the problem is ...
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Is the Federal Gas Tax Obsolete? Chris Hopkins in Aggregates Manager
(This article was first published this month in Aggregates Manager)
By Christopher Hopkins, Senior Vice President for Aggregates and Mining
The Saint Consulting Group
The 1970s marked the first time Americans rushed in a panic to buy fuel-efficient foreign import automobiles. Long lines at gas stations caused by the 1973 Arab oil embargo ignited a switch from eight-cylinder gas-guzzlers ...
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Strategic Comms, Part 28: Key Tips for a Great Presentation
(This is the 28th in a continuing series on strategic communications. Click here for earlier segments)
By Owen Eagan, The Saint Consulting Group
We’ve all seen one – a presentation that lulled us to sleep or left us scratching our heads because we either didn’t know or couldn’t remember what the message was. But what makes a great presentation? ...
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Are People Who Oppose Development Selfish? A Season’s Greetings Message
By P. Michael Saint, Chairman and CEO, The Saint Consulting Group
Are people who oppose new development selfish? I ask that question in all seriousness. But depending on whom you ask and what project the “NIMBYs” are opposing, you will get far different answers.
I was reading a columnby Doug Hendrie, an Australian writer, who claims that selfish ...
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Will NIMBYISM Advance Democracy in China? – a Visitor’s View
By Jay Vincent, Senior Vice President for Business Development
The Saint Consulting Group
I spent more than half of December 2010 in China traveling with the American Council of Young Political Leaders and a group of talented young American leaders. Our travels were extensive as we made our way from big cities like Shanghai and Beijing to ...
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Strategic Comms Pt 27 Engaging Your Customers via Social Media and New Media
(This is the 27th in a continuing series on strategic communications. Click here for earlier segments)
By Owen Eagan, The Saint Consulting Group
Social media has numerous definitions, and they continue to evolve with the advent of new platforms. In fact, social media is now being used by companies in every aspect of their business including communicating with their ...
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Strategic Comms, Pt 26: Environmental Assessments: Not Just an Academic Exercise
(This is the 26th in a continuing series on strategic communications. Click here for earlier segments)
By Owen Eagan, The Saint Consulting Group
Large real estate development projects typically need to undergo some type of environmental assessment. And, if federal funding and/or permitting are involved, a project may require both federal and state environmental assessments. This usually entails a ...
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