Strategy

A two-month streak of hefty increases mercifully comes to an end.

As gas prices remain high, the corn-based fuel grows in popularity.

Slashing demand for gasoline is the only responsible way to fight soaring U.S. pump prices, environmentalists say.

Valero Energy Corp. and Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp. weren't the only two oil companies making merger news today as Williams Cos. Inc. agreed to buy oil and natural gas company Barrett Resources Corp. for approximately $2.5 billion in cash and stock.

The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) named John Hervey chief technology officer. In this newly created position, Hervey will lead the associations technology efforts for the convenience store industry including standards, new technologies, e-commerce initiatives, and content for NACS' technology-related educational programming, particularly for the technology-focused nacs.tech conference.

Sunoco has received "viable offers" for the Kendall brand, customer lists and a lubricants-blending plant in Tulsa, Okla., spokesperson Jerry Davis said. The company expects to take an unspecified third-quarter charge to write down the assets' value.

Shell Hydrogen is also participating in a unique collaboration between the state of California, energy companies and automobile manufacturers, called the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

Hudson, Ohio-based Dairy Mart Convenience Stores Inc. named Najib Tegey director of store operations, and Gary Feldman director of gasoline operations.