David Shaffer

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David Shaffer

Reporter | Energy and business

Phone: 612-673-7090

Email: david.shaffer@startribune.com

David Shaffer is a veteran reporter and editor for the Star Tribune, with more than three decades of experience on daily newspapers.
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Obituary: Tom Spies, educator and leader, loved dual role

Tom Spies, a former teacher and City Council member in Bloomington who cast one of the votes to approve the Mall of America, died Monday of lung disease. He was 69.

Updated: June 21, 2012, - 09:40 PM

Gevo stock soars 31% after a biofuel patent ruling

A federal judge rejected a competitor's patent infringement claim, freeing Gevo to sell isobutanol produced in Luverne, Minn.

Updated: June 20, 2012, - 09:21 PM

Minnesota Power sticks up for old coal-burners

The utility that helps power Minnesota's mining industry resists anti-coal pressure.

Updated: June 18, 2012, - 09:38 PM

More fuel plants are eyeing isobutanol

Four more ethanol plants are considering retrofits to produce the new biofuel, bringing planned conversions to seven.

Updated: June 18, 2012, - 09:08 PM

Minnetonka craft brewers share space, cut costs

Using a shared license, Lucid Brewing and Badger Hill Brewing occupy the same facility in Minnetonka.

Updated: June 18, 2012, - 09:06 PM

New strategy targets tax breaks for green energy

Instead of rolling back benefits that oil, gas and coal enjoy, renewable players could get the same treatment.

Updated: June 16, 2012, - 09:10 PM

Ethanol profits slow to a drip

The industry has been pinched by low demand and high production costs.

Updated: June 15, 2012, - 09:02 PM

North Dakota is hoping to get oil into pipes, out of trucks

With more than 6,000 oil wells pumping out crude oil and natural gas, officials see a pressing need for more local and long-distance pipelines.

Updated: June 14, 2012, - 11:26 PM

New Minnesota biofuel plant in Luverne faces patent fight

As two companies battle for control of technology to produce a new fuel called isobutanol, a judge places sales limits on the first production plant in Minnesota.

Updated: June 13, 2012, - 09:32 PM