Energy in America

North Korea exploring sanctions-proof energy technologies

Power-strapped North Korea is exploring ambitious alternative energy sources — tidal power and coal-based synthetic fuels — that could greatly improve living standards and reduce its reliance on oil imports and vulnerability to sanctions.

City mulls $5M penalty over paid power plant 'supporters'

New Orleans officials are moving closer to imposing a $5 million penalty on a major utility company over the use of secretly paid actors at public hearings last year to support plans for a new gas-fired power plant.

Mixed finish for US stock indexes over weak retail sales

New figures showing that last month's holiday sales were far worse than previously expected helped drive stocks lower on Wall Street early Thursday, threatening to end a four-day winning streak for the S&P 500 index.