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kermit42

03/15/08 2:33 PM

#21766 RE: Gmenfan #21765

On another board, I track a series of stocks and, among other things, compare them to the big boards and as far as I can tell there is no relationship between them and us.

A serious recession may hurt basic research (usually funded by govt and foundation grants), but IMO that will be more than offset by for-profit companies if oil prices stay high.

joakim

03/15/08 2:43 PM

#21767 RE: Gmenfan #21765

Gmefan, Part of the turmoil is high energy prices. Most "alternative energy" sources would not only cut green house emissions like LLEG's plants but also create energy from a renewable resource thereby decreasing out dependence on foreign oil. The only question is its gonna take truckloads of this wood chips stuf to get to the plant. Q is how much is that gonna cost especially if gas prices rise. Overall the benefit to the economy, and reduced need for a foreign energy source is very hot... I don't think nasdaq activity really effects pinks that much. I have noticed that pinks tend to be up when market is down and they go down when the big boards rally. Its really up for debate you just have to find the right stock to be in at the right time!
IMO

jimmenknee

03/15/08 3:58 PM

#21771 RE: Gmenfan #21765

Excellent question Gmenfan :) Looking at it specifically from Laidlaw's perspective regardless of status as a public company, I think the positive "green momentum" offsets the current financial sentiment.

A few points:
--There are federal and state programs to help research, development and fund biomass projects (e.g. the federal level http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/ )
--One of the other BioMass projects I looked at I believe got a part of their financing backed by a federal program. I'd have to double check, but I think it was a California BioMass plant.
--Laidlaw engaged Greystone-- in part -- to tap into federal programs to help facilitate financing.
--Laidlaw has already received a NY State grant relating to Biomass technology.
--I think the climate for getting this type of energy project endorsed and sponsored/sheparded is ripe.

The "watch side" to market dynamics I believe is similar to the dynamics relating to ethanol. I had been tracking a development stage company with the intent to trade/invest in since mid-last year. They had a 3 plant project that would have boasted a very large ethanol production capability. After moving the project to the construction financing stage, it fell apart, mostly due to global/country dynamics. Corn price up/ethanol price down and the cost of construction went up with the upswing in oil price.

Back to Laidlaw, the forces here I see are relative to oil (cost to construct and transport the biomass) and the ultimate product -- power. Laidlaw IMO is smart in hedging both by locking in both portions of the financing deal and the sale of the RECs.

So IMO, all indicators still point favorable, but that is also why I see this as a milestone play-- each step should be checked against the market barometer :)