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comScore, Inc. released its monthly comScore qSearch analysis of the U.S. search marketplace. In December 2008, Americans conducted 12.7 billion core searches, a 3-percent increase versus November.

Energy efficiency programs in the United States could realistically reduce the rate of growth for electricity consumption by 22 percent over the next two decades if key barriers can be addressed, according to an analysis released by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The potential energy savings in 2030 would be 236 billion kilowatt hours, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 14 New York Cities.

Nearly nine in 10 small-business owners would still choose entrepreneurship over working for others according to a new survey commissioned by Microsoft Office Live Small Business and Elance.

A national public opinion survey reveals widespread retirement insecurity among Americans. Current economic conditions have more than eight out of ten Americans worried about their ability to retire. Some 71% indicate they feel it is harder today to retire as compared to previous generations.

comScore, Inc. released its monthly analysis of U.S. consumer activity at the top online properties for December 2008 based on data from the comScore Media Metrix service. The holiday shopping season drove increased traffic to retail sites as consumers browsed merchandise and sought deals online. Shipping and Weather sites also saw gains as Americans eagerly anticipated the arrival of their packages and holiday guests.

The latest Adecco USA Workplace Insights survey offers insight into the American workers outlook at the end of 2008 on the current economic climate and its effects on the job market. The survey found that the number one work-life concern for the majority (69%) of American workers is keeping their job, yet few (24%) are saving more money than they used to for potential unemployment and only 11% are delaying their planned retirement. While unemployment may be their top concern, very few workers (13%) are currently looking for another job and only 17% would be willing to take a pay cut to keep their job.

The renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) industries represented more than 9 million jobs and $1,045 billion in U.S. revenue in 2007, according to a new report offering the most detailed analysis yet of the green economy. The renewable energy industry grew three times as fast as the U.S. economy, with the solar thermal, photovoltaic, biodiesel, and ethanol sectors leading the way, each with 25%+ annual revenue growth.

RealtyTrac(R)released its 2008 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report(TM), which shows a total of 3,157,806 foreclosure filings - default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions - were reported on 2,330,483 U.S. properties during the year, an 81 percent increase in total properties from 2007 and a 225 percent increase in total properties from 2006.

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods fell 1.9 percent in December, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. This decrease followed a 2.2-percent decline in November and a 2.8-percent drop in October.

Consumer sentiment reached a six-year low as Americans continued to be rocked by increasing job losses, poor holiday shopping season reports and the ongoing inability of the government and the private sector to stabilize the economy, according to the most recent results of the RBC CASH (Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household) Index. As a result, the overall RBC CASH Index stands at 13.3 for January 2009, down slightly from 15.3 in December 2008. However, the continued slide in consumer confidence is offset somewhat by an increase in expectations for the future, just days before President-elect Obama is inaugurated.