Watkins warns of shrinking Ventura County work force
Bill Watkins’ usually dour outlook for California and the local economy is only getting gloomier. The chief economist at California Lutheran University’s Center for Economic Research and Forecasting said March 29 that his outlook a year ago — already pessimistic compared to that of his fellow forecasters — was “wrong, way wrong.” Ventura County lost Read More →
Bill Gates: New nuclear could be “energy miracle”

Microsoft founder Bill Gates is placing his chips on nuclear technology these days.
Khosla: Wood chips could be part of U.S. energy future

Vinod Khosla has seen the United States’ energy future, and it is wood chips.

Cleaner yoga: Buellton startup makes mat-sanitizing machine

Matsana manufactures a machine that disinfects yoga mats using ultraviolet technology.
P&G, Paul Mitchell execs say mass-market is key for green
Reaching the 85 percent of American consumers who won’t buy a more expensive product simply because it’s the eco-friendly alternative is one of the largest challenges facing American manufacturers. That was the discussion Thursday morning between Wall Street Journal editors, Procter & Gamble Co.’s chief executive, the entrepreneur behind Paul Mitchell shampoos and Patrón tequila, Read More →
Lovins: Green energy a $1 trillion prize for private sector
Energy efficiency represents a $5 trillion business opportunity to reshape civilization and make a profit. That’s the view of Rocky Mountain Institute founder Amory Lovins, who spoke to a capacity filled audience at UC Santa Barbara on March 21. Lovins spoke in advance of the Wall Street Journal’s annual Eco:nomics conference taking place at the Read More →
Powers: Ventura County keeping close watch on portfolio
Ventura County will closely monitor returns on its investment portfolio to make sure an 8 percent gain is reasonable, county CEO Mike Powers said in a March 15 talk. Speaking in Ventura at the quarterly California Lutheran University Corporate Leaders Breakfast, Powers said that while 8 percent has been a historically accurate return, constant monitoring Read More →