Investing Daily

American ingenuity and innovation offer hope in the alternative energy space.

Widely hyped solar and wind power companies have handily underperformed the broader markets and the energy sector as a whole so far this year. One reason for that is simple politics: Alternatives are completely dependent on government subsidies and mandates for growth.

Hydroelectric power is ubiquitous in many Canadian provinces, so much so that the word “hydro” has come to stand for electricity generally; the names of the government-run companies that provide such power reflect this significant presence.

Letting your politics dictate your investments is a terrible “strategy,” but don't ignore political developments.

We may not know exactly what political developments will shape the great energy debate in the US, but global investment in natural gas and renewable energy in all its forms will continue to rise for some time to come.

One thing is clear, ClimateGate or not, CO2 regulation is coming and soon. Here's how to profit.

Alternatives Field Bet Company Name (Exchange: Symbol) Entry Price (USD) Total Return Since 01/24/07 (%) Total Return for 2008 (%) Advice Covanta Holding Corp (NYSE: CVA)* 28.23 -3.0 -3.0 Buy Fir...

In 2005, renewable energy accounted for less than 6 percent of US energy supply. But with energy prices on the rise, these alternative and renewable technologies are grabbing far more than their fair share of the limelight.