Energy in America

Lands stripped from Utah monuments open to claims, leases

The window has opened for oil, gas, uranium and coal companies to make requests or stake claims to lands that were cut from two sprawling Utah national monuments by President Trump in December —but there doesn't appear to be a rush to seize the opportunities.

Business Highlights

___ Dow industrials drop 600 points, extending a weeklong slump NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks slumped Friday, pulling the Dow Jones industrial average down more than 650 points and handing the market its worst week in two years.

The Latest: Groups sue to void Alaska oil lease sales

The Latest on lawsuit's challenging the legality of a December petroleum lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (all times local): 1 p.m. Four more environmental groups are challenging the legality of petroleum lease sales conducted in northern Alaska by the federal government.

Trump explains support for oil drilling in Arctic refuge

President Donald Trump says he didn't really care about opening Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling but pushed the issue for inclusion in the tax bill passed in December at the urging of others.

Duke Energy changes aimed at increasing minority contractors

One of the largest U.S. electricity companies is making changes that could make it easier for black, female and other minority-owned construction and hauling firms to compete for work on its multibillion-dollar project to excavate and close coal-ash storage pits.

Gasoline prices hiked sharply in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan, which once provided drivers a quota of free gasoline every month, has raised its pump prices by 50 percent as the country struggles with low prices for its mainstay export of natural gas.