A significant piece of legislation that is part of President Obama’s stimulus package could open parts of the U.S. to new high-speed Internet services – giving local economies a boost. If so, we’ve identified one company that investors should consider buying in anticipation of a key piece of legislation that was passed last week.

CenturyTel Inc. (CTL) will acquire rival Embarq Corp. (EQ) in an $11.6 billion deal that could kick-start a flurry of mergers among rural-regional telephone carriers. The deal should be good for the two companies, said Jeff Kagan, an independent analyst who is well known for his coverage of the telecom sector.

What will happen when there is less oil? U.S. oil demand will fall, whether anybody likes it or not. The oil will simply not be available in the volumes that the government, industry and people in general have come to expect. So the phenomenon of declining oil use will not be voluntary, graceful or cheap.

During a trip to D.C., I talked with a group of people in the field of energy research. I heard some of the “inside baseball” information on one major DOD program that will convert large amounts of U.S. coal into synthetic liquid fuel. This will be a government-industry partnership, with the U.S. Air Force as the lead agency.

The European Commission is backing a complaint over US biofuel subsidies launched by the European Biodiesel Board.This from the Britain’s The Guardian newspaper:

Washington will be asked this week to answer allegations that subsidies amounting to 11p a litre on B99 [biodiesel with up to 1% petroleum added] exports from the US, plus “splash-and-dash” operations being conducted through the US, represent unfair competition.

Liquid coal — synthetic fuel produced from coal — could make a big dent in the Defense Department’s energy bill, as it struggles to find alternatives to sky-high crude oil prices.

This from The Wall Street Journal:

With oil’s multi-year ascent showing no signs of stopping — crude futures set another record Tuesday, closing at $129.07 a barrel in New York trading — energy security has emerged as a major concern for the Pentagon.

What will happen when there is less oil? U.S. oil demand will fall, whether anybody likes it or not.

During a trip to D.C., I talked with a group of people in the field of energy research.

Yesterday’s big bid by British Gas for Origin Energy puts coal seam methane (firmly in the spotlight). Recently we published a map showing Queensland’s coal properties, including the location of coal seam methane projects in the Surat Basin.

Food costs skyrocket across the globe…how the latest surge means more than just higher prices. Kevin Kerr on the U.S. agricultural crisis just around the corner. Legendary investor says U.S. market has hit a bottom… for now. Byron King on the latest DOD energy project… and how you can profit from it. Bernanke called to Congress again… our thoughts on his latest testimony.