nuclear power

The energy situation is looking pretty grim for much of the world. But here in North America? We're sitting pretty. Thanks to a boom in natural gas production from shale, and oil production from Canada's tar sands, North America will become an energy exporter over the coming decades.

Both a major buyer and processor of fish, Japan is an important link in the global seafood distribution chain. So the effects of the disaster -- including the ruined ports, roads, fisheries and processing centers -- have taken their toll on the seafood industry worldwide.

Not everyone is focusing on the down side of Japan's triple disaster -- tsunami, earthquake and nuclear catastrophe. Warren Buffett, for one, has faith in Japan's economic prospects. The Nikkei surged as investors searched for bargains in the wreckage.

Amid panic about the possibility of a radioactive fallout from Japan, Geiger counters and radiation pills have been flying off the shelves, sometimes at unscrupulous prices.

The Japanese automaker has extended its halt on vehicle production at its plants in Japan through March 22, as the country continues to reel from the devastation of last week's massive 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

With cleaner air and energy self-sufficiency high on America's list of priorities, our irrational dislike of nuclear power looks increasingly imprudent. China, France and the U.K. have raced ahead safely on nuclear power: It's well past time for the U.S. to start catching up.

A natural gas boom is coming in the U.S, but while consumers are likely to benefit from the cheap energy source, investors may not. Huge new discoveries of domestic reserves may keep prices down, and the political push toward renewable energy sources could cut into producers' profits.

As rapid economic growth and a population boom take place in the developing world, oil will play an increasingly vital role, no matter what its drawbacks. That puts the likes of Schlumberger, Weatherford and Baker Hughes in a sweet spot.

Hitachi and General Electric's nuclear power unit will open five new sales offices around the world by the end of this year. Target markets include the U.S., Vietnam, the U.K., Spain and Poland.

Just as nuclear power is enjoying a renaissance under the Obama administration, the industry is battling activists over the question of increased cancer risk -- a fight it thought had been won long ago.