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.
Follow @ShafferStrib

Xcel hits Upper Midwest wind power record

The utility normally gets about 12 percent of its power from regional wind farms. But one night last month, the wind share hit nearly a third.

Updated: March 19, 2013, - 09:47 PM

Xcel Energy told to be more 'transparent' in rate hike request

The Department of Commerce called the utility’s revenue data backing a 10.7 percent rate hike request “opaque.”

Updated: March 19, 2013, - 06:21 AM

Minnesota lawmakers consider rate-based solar power incentives

New rates would change what utilities must pay solar-panel owners. Utilities would face a mandate.

Updated: March 05, 2013, - 11:11 PM

Canadian crude oil finds a new pathway through Minnesota

The Keystone XL pipeline to the U.S. heartland may or may not get built. Either way, railroads are gearing up to ship more oil — on tracks through Minnesota.

Updated: March 03, 2013, - 06:21 PM

Bakken drilling costs dropping, Northern Oil and Gas says

Drillers now bore many wells from single drilling pad, making the process less expensive, Northern Oil says.

Updated: March 01, 2013, - 07:30 PM

Minn. officials urge regulators to slash Xcel's proposed rate hike

Minnesota officials say the proposed 10.7 percent increase is creating “rate shock” and should be scaled back to 3 to 4 percent.

Updated: March 01, 2013, - 06:50 AM

Viewpoint: Steve Eide on employee stock ownership plans

An attorney with more than 25 years of experience with employee stock ownership plans talks about how they are established...

Updated: February 23, 2013, - 05:16 PM

4 indicted in tainted peanut butter outbreak that killed 3 Minnesotans

The owner and three former employees of Peanut Corp. of America were charged with fraud, selling adulterated food and other offenses in the 2008-09 salmonella outbreak.

Updated: February 22, 2013, - 12:15 AM

Feb. 21: Minn. solar industry pushes for utility mandate

Some electric utilities opposed the proposal that they generate 10 percent of their power from solar panels by 2030.

Updated: February 21, 2013, - 03:03 PM

Feb. 21: Snags slow repairs to Xcel plant in Becker

Part of the repairs at devastated Sherco Unit 3 in Becker -- badly damaged in a Nov. 19, 2011 accident -- had to be done again. Xcel officials aren’t sure when the project will be finished.

Updated: February 20, 2013, - 09:20 PM