This indicated that the spent fuel remained stable and did not pose an immediate danger to the environment, news agency AFP quoted Tepco as saying.

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West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark fuel, remained largely flat between January 20 and Friday, when the most recent survey was conducted.

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And of course, fuel prices remained very high.

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The Index also showed that although fuel-cell technologies remained the hottest of the hot spots in cleantech IP development, solar technologies received more attention than wind power in terms of overall patenting activity in 2010.

FORBES: U.S. Clean-Energy Patents Explode in 2010

Southwest remained profitable even when fuel prices spiked, thanks to brilliant hedging, and has launched a series of moves to raise revenue without charging to check a bag, which really irks people.

FORBES: Southwest Shares Are Tempting But Airline Stocks Usually Don't Fly

Not so in Europe, where pump prices remained high, and diesel's 30% better fuel economy and greater torque won a loyal following.

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The U.S. Department of Energy said about 26% of the Northeast's fuel-making capacity, nearly all in the area affected by Sandy, remained off line.

WSJ: Industry Adapts Quickly to Storm

In the meantime, small cars remained the top performers industry-wide in October as consumers coped with high fuel prices.

FORBES: Analysts: Storm Will Hurt Car Sales

Though economic growth has remained strong (especially compared with sluggish Europe), there are ample worries to fuel the case for restraint.

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Devon and Cornwall Business Council said it expected some fuel stations will have to wait until Friday for new supplies, while the threat of another strike remained for the coming weekend.

BBC: Petrol station drops ?1.99 charge