Cap-and-trade: Is a carbon market the best way to control greenhouse gases?

If John McCain and Barack Obama agree on one thing, it's global warming and what to do about it. Both presidential candidates say that a so-called cap-and-trade system of regulation is the best way to stem U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases.

Heads up, Arizona, part five: The huge cost of transportation infrastructure to 2032

The amount of money necessary to build adequate transportation infrastructure in Arizona in the next 25 years — between $253 billion and $311 billion — is larger than the bill to build water and wastewater, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure combined, according to a recent report commi

Heads up, Arizona, part four: The cost of telecommunications infrastructure to 2032

Providing all Arizonans with the gold standard in telecommunications could cost $24-25.2 billion, but what is the dollar value of state-of-the art infrastructure to rival that of world leaders? That could well be priceless.

Podcast: The trend for gas prices

Gas prices have been easing downward in the last few weeks, welcome relief for consumers. But what is the outlook going forward? Will prices continue to fall? Dennis Hoffman, director of the L.

Reconciling private and public objectives through mechanism design theory

Complex problems like global warming are difficult to solve because there are so many interests involved — most of them hidden agendas. Can we ever reasonably expect individuals and institutions to reconcile their self-interest with a widely acknowledged social or political objective?

Podcast: Money and strategy — campaign finance 2008

Since 1980, at least one candidate in every presidential election has been an incumbent president or vice president. This year's race has broken the pattern of incumbent candidacy, but that's not its only first.

America's other health care gap: Public perception vs. reality

Ask U.S. consumers about their satisfaction with the existing health care system, and up to 80 percent say major fixes or even a complete overhaul are overdue.

A fossil-fueled future: Growing oil dependence puts U.S. on a slippery slope

Consumers in the United States who dislike $4.00-a-gallon gasoline had better get used to it. Despite 35 years of talking about the United States becoming energy independent, the U.S. is more dependent than ever on foreign oil — and there's no end in sight.

Study recommends a 'balanced portfolio' of power sources for fast-growing Arizona

Arizona's policymakers face crucial decisions about how to ensure that future power needs are met for the nation's second-fastest growing state.

Heads up, Arizona, part three: The cost of energy infrastructure to 2032

Building the infrastructure necessary to meet Arizonans' rising demand for energy will cost between $74 and $87 billion (allowing for inflation) over the next 25 years. But how to pay those costs — and exactly what type of infrastructure to build — is up for debate.