A recent study shows that the Marcellus Shale created 38,000 jobs last year, but a little restaurant in Washington County shows that the economic impact is a whole lot deeper than that.

Two years ago, the Cherry Hill Grille was struggling to keep the lights on and employees had to cut back their hours.

These days, the restaurant is doing great, catering to shale gas workers who eat out all the time. Read more »

Oil dropped more than 2 percent Wednesday June 15, 2011 as the dollar strengthened and investors shrugged off an unexpectedly large decline in crude supplies.

Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude for July delivery fell $2.20, or 2.2 percent to $97.17 per barrel in midday trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, Brent crude fell $3.55, or 3 percent, to $115.90 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange. Read more »

In a largely party-line vote, the state House approved a Republican-backed bill that rewrites state energy policy to promote and approve of drilling for natural gas on land and off the coast.

Supporters of Senate Bill 709 said drilling would create revenue for the cash-strapped state government and jobs for North Carolinians by creating a regulatory atmosphere that is more "pro business." Read more »

Oil prices fell to near $98 a barrel Monday June 20, 2011, extending a big loss from Friday after a report said Saudi Arabia plans to boost its crude production.

By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark oil for July delivery was down $1.13 to $98.16 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract lost $2.64 to settle at $99.29 on Friday.

In London, Brent crude for July delivery was up 20 cents to $118.98 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange. Read more »