Energy

Despite the world's economic woes, the global clean-energy market grew in 2009, becoming a $139.1 billion industry and the largest venture-capital category. Even so, solar revenues fell because of plunging prices.

Analysts have long known that high oil prices can have an adverse effect on economic growth. A key part of the equation is how quickly oil prices change, and recent movements in the market suggest that the cost of oil could put a damper on growth later this year.

It's spring, the season of baseball, warmer temperatures and rising gasoline prices -- along with the perennial push for alternative fuels. When will the United States find a better way to power its cars?

For decades, the nuclear power industry has had a hard time finding qualified workers. But now, as the industry receives unprecedented levels of government support, it's facing an all-out talent drought. According to data released in 2009 by the trade group Nuclear Energy Institute, "To maintain the current nuclear work force, the industry may need to hire as many as 25,000 more workers in the next five years."

After a long period of ever-escalating anticipation, the startup California cleantech company is finally unveiling its technology. Will the claims of breakthroughs in terms of efficiency, affordability and scalability get borne out at last? And how much will the long-term cost really be?

President Barack Obama on Tuesday championed nuclear energy expansion as a way that feuding parties can move beyond the "broken politics" of Washington. He announced more than $8 billion in loan guarantees to build the first nuclear power plant in nearly three decades.

FirstEnergy, the fifth-largest investor-owned electric system in the U.S., has agreed to pay $4.7 billion for Allegheny Energy in an all-stock transaction that will create one of the biggest electric providers in the country. Given the current economic situation, the deal may be the first of many in the sector.

Given the resurgent demand for coal, iron ore and copper thanks primarily to China, India and other developing economies, global mining is heating up. And this huge mining equipment maker stands to benefit.

When announcing his $3.8 trillion budget, Obama didn't mention the "smart grid," long key to his infrastructure spending plans. That's a shame, as improving our utility grid could create jobs as well as make us greener, more efficient and more competitive.

ExxonMobil's fourth quarter earnings fell 23% year-over-year, marking Exxon's fifth straight decline in quarterly profit. However, the world's largest public oil company beat analysts expectations, and shares are rising in early trading.