Now that we're no longer at the economic DEFCON 1 that we've been at for the last four years or so, it appears that the energy sector is, once again, getting its due. You may remember that energy was a front-burner issue back in 2007 and early 2008 as the industry grappled with big issues such as smart grid, environmental challenges, infrastructure, efficiency and a coming talent shortage.
Our "Powering the Future" cover story back then was all but certain that energy would play a big part in "powering the future" of the consulting profession, as well. And then it wasn't as credit markets froze up and Lehman Brothers fell in September 2008.
Energy didn't go anywhere, of course, it's just that there were more pressing and dire issues to address. But take a look at the latest Consulting magazine readership poll. About a quarter say that energy is the industry sector that provides the most promise for the profession over the next 12 months. That's second only to healthcare, and well ahead of financial services and the public sector, which have both greatly contributed to the recovery.
That's good news, for sure.
And, in case you haven't noticed, energy and energy policy carries a lot of political baggage. So, it's probably no surprise that energy independence has become a big talking point of the presidential election. Coal, nuclear, solar and wind each have pros and cons, while 'fracking' is just the latest political football. Meanwhile, Republicans will continue to talk about the price of gasoline through at least the first Tuesday in November.
In the last few years, Fukushima, the gulf oil spill and the Chilean and West Virginia mine collapses have served as sober reminders of part of the price we pay to power a booming global population. As this month's cover story "Drill Baby Drill" points out, it's complicated and there are many more challenges than solutions. And that's when the consulting profession is at its best.
Joseph Kornik
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
jkornik@consultingmag.com
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