'Old coal' subsidy loophole to be closed by UK government

A loophole in the government’s energy policy that could have seen billpayers funding billions of pounds of subsidy for old coal plants will be closed, officials have told the Guardian.

Global stock markets at risk from Black Swan spike in oil price

Global stock markets are at risk from a spike in oil prices which could derail the fragile economic recovery and lead to a major correction in share prices, warns Steen Jakobsen, chief economist at Saxo Bank.

Oil demand to rise as global economy recovers, energy watchdog says

Global oil demand will increase more quickly this year as economic growth accelerates, outstripping supply even as shale oil production in the United States reaches record highs, the west's energy watchdog said on Tuesday.

Pollution economics: China introduces carbon cap-and-trade programs to reduce emissions

With more than 1 million people in China dying prematurely each year from breathing its dirty air, and with warming temperatures portending rising sea levels and disruptions to food production, the centrally planned Communist country is experimenting with a capitalist approach to address the problem: It is creating incentives so that the market - and not the government - will force reductions in emissions.

Experts warn of threat to utility shares' income

Electricity, gas and water stocks are popular with investors who want decent income. But some companies are borrowing money to pay dividends.Income-seeking investors love utilities for their healthy yields and apparently resilient business models.

Oil revival beckons as new technology, investors halt decline

LONDON (Reuters) - New operators and better technology are set to reverse a decline in Britain's North Sea oil and gas output over the next few years, and could help the country's economy return to health.

Oil Rises as Consumer Sentiment Gains

Oil advanced as data showing U.S. consumer confidence climbed to a five-year high, helping ease concern that a political stalemate in Washington will lead to a fiscal crisis.