David Shaffer

Biofuels industry gets boost from military

The federal government intends to jump-start the fledgling biofuels industry in the name of national security.

The initiative, introduced Tuesday by President Obama at a rural economic forum in Iowa, commits $510 million to help finance a new generation of plants to produce advanced biofuels for Navy jets and marine craft. The effort would, in turn, boost job creation in rural America, proponents say.

2,000 Delta workers take buyouts

MINNEAPOLIS -- Delta Air Lines Inc. said Wednesday that 2,000 employees will take voluntary buyouts beginning in September as the carrier continues its cost-cutting in the face of high fuel prices.

Rick Rowthorn, of Crystal River, fills up his 22í NauticStar boat with fuel at the Citgo gas station Monday, June 27, 2011, in Vero Beach, Fla. Prior to filling up the boat with gas containing ethanol, Rowthorn adds fuel treatment to prevent the deterioration of the fuel lines caused by moisture in the fuel. He also added that keeping the tank topped off is a good way to prevent problems with ethanol, as there is less air in the tank.(AP Photo/Port St. Lucie News, Sam Wolfe)

Loss of ethanol subsidies spells trouble for farm town

CLAREMONT, Minn. -- The white plume still billows from the smokestack at the ethanol plant off Highway 14 here, and the 18-wheelers still screech to a stop at the corn unloading station.

Nothing is visibly different this month at the Al-Corn plant, one of Minnesota's oldest ethanol makers -- except that an era of nearly unwavering government support for the industry seems to be over.

Political leaders rip Delta on job loss

Political leaders pounced on Delta Air Lines on Wednesday and accused it of breaking a promise to keep jobs in Minnesota after its 2008 takeover of Northwest Airlines.

The criticism followed Delta's announcement that it would move several hundred training and technical jobs from Minnesota to Atlanta to save money, although employees could keep their jobs if they relocated. The decision underscores fears that the Northwest deal would lead Delta to whittle away at its Minnesota presence, but the airline says it remains committed to its Minneapolis-St. Paul hub.

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