The Economic Perspective 10/23/2026
The Latest Trending Economic, Environmental and Infrastructure News Curated for You by The Balmoral Group
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Happy Friday!
Hello and welcome back to another edition of the Economic Perspective! This Saturday is the International Day of Climate Action. Celebrated annually on October 24th, the day is designed to raise awareness about urgent needs for climate action. Participants organize events to help with clean-up campaigns, hosting rallies/educational events, and tree plantings. You can read more about the day here.
Our articles this week cover deep-sea mining, a Supreme Court case on oil companies and their liability in climate damages, new developments with trash waste being used for cement alternatives, and more. Our Data Visualization covers AI's implementation in the construction industry.
US Signs First Deep-Sea Mining Lease
The White House has signed the first offshore mineral lease in US history, opening up more than 31 million acres of seabed near American Samoa for deep-sea mining, and another two locations covering 16.3 million acres and 15.2 million acres of seabed. These locations have been marked for potential sources of nickel, cobalt, manganese, and other minerals deemed strategically important. Environmental groups have criticized the leases as the full ecological effects of deep-sea mining are not understood. The American Samoa governor, Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula has called for greater environmental monitoring and protections of local commodities like tuna fisheries. Read more here.
Supreme Court to Rule on Oil Companies and Climate Liability
The Supreme Court is planning to hear new arguments on whether oil and gas companies can be held liable for climate related damages such as wildfire, scorching heat, and droughts. This lawsuit is being led by California and more than two dozen other states who allege the oil and gas companies have had knowledge of the impact for years. The lawsuits are being compared to similar lawsuits of tobacco companies that concealed the dangers of tobacco usage. However, climate related suits have stalled due to divisions in what laws these claims would be charged under, whether the Clean water and Clean Air act already cover these lawsuits, and the economic damages that oil and gas companies will deal with. Oil and gas companies claim they will deal with bankruptcy if significant lawsuits are brought to them, while environmental groups argue that these companies have operated despite the known environmental damages. Read more here.
Sea Turtle Populations Show Signs of Recovery
A study has released that shows endangered sea turtles are recovering in most places around the world they are found. While some populations have not recovered there is a clear uptick in populations in several key areas. The Atlantic populations are currently more suited for recovery compared to Pacific populations and leatherback turtles are currently still not recovering well. While populations are still critically endangered and many facing extinction these recoveries are a positive sign to legislation passed decades ago that limited their capture and protected beaches they nest on. Read more here.
Colorado Wildlife Overpass and Animal Collisions
Ten months ago, a wildlife crossing was completed over a section of I-25 in Colorado that previously averaged one wildlife collision per day according to CDOT. After its completed collisions have declined by 91%. The project is one of many overpasses that have been built across the country, and the hope is that they will provide further evidence of the environmental, safety, and economic value these passes provide. After receiving almost $30 million from the state and federal governments the project officials were able to complete it for just $15 million as well, showing hope of the continued affordability of these projects. Read more here and here.
Fast Food Trash Gets Turned into Cement
Professor Rhett Smith of Clemson University is experimenting with turning fast food waste into construction material, particularly cement alternatives. Cement is being targeted for replacement due to its high carbon dioxide emissions associated with its production. Along with the high costs and low yield with recycling trash repurposing the material into other usable products offers cost effective and profitable endeavors for trash disposal. Cement is one of the most produced material by humans and finding replacements for it will assist greatly in cost management and environmental preservation. House production requires cement to survive 17 megapascals and the material being tested is resisting 41 megapascals. Read more about the product being developed here.
Data Visualization of the Week
AI in Construction
Artificial intelligence is being implemented by construction teams across the country changing their operations rather than shrinking them. Few teams have completely avoided AI implementation while most are at different levels depending on what stage of construction they are involved in. Data on this can be found below. AI implementation is delivering better outcomes for crews, not just improved efficiency, putting better emphasis on AI’s ability to enhance jobs rather than replace them for construction crews. Planning and feasibility stages had the highest rates of implementation with 58% of respondents saying they have. Respondents spoke about AI’s best value being able to help estimate costs for projects, design and engineering, procurement, and contract compliance, among others. Read more here and here.
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