October 8, 2007

Top technology officers have arrived. Today, most chief information officers are now considered a part of the strategic "think tank" and management structures of their organizations. Some are wondering if making the climb was such a good idea.

Never before has the utility industry been inundated with so many problems. And, many of the other executives sitting in those boardrooms increasingly are looking to the tech experts for solutions that they needed "last week." Modern tech didn't create most of the problems, but it is certainly expected to come up with answers, and quickly. Now chief information officers (CIO's) are integral to ensuring the organizations are insulated against politics, economics, demographics, regulation, terrorism and war.

October 1, 2007

When the Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by a half of a percentage point, it triggered a vigorous debate. The central bank, which works to balance economic growth with inflationary pressures, is now tested as to where its allegiance lay.

One side argues that having the Fed focus on price stability will ultimately result in a more robust economy and lower interest rates -- a strategy followed by many central banks in the industrialized world and one that has a growing base of support in the United States. Capital formation would therefore become much easier and as such, investment and borrowing decisions would be more solid. Utilities, which are capital intensive industries and which manage huge portfolios of assets, could be among the beneficiaries.

Web site claims DTE Energy gave donation to Democratic PAC after House tax-offset initiative

LANSING -- A conservative Web site Thursday accused the Democratic speaker of the state House of collecting a $15,000 contribution to his party in return for a proposal that would enrich DTE Energy. House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, who didn't return calls seeking comment, last month proposed revamping state regulations to return monopoly status to utilities such as DTE. That would offset a new utility tax that could raise $500 million toward the budget shortfall, Dillon said.