Morning News: Exergy Woes, Wind Industry Layoffs, “Top Taxman” Retires

Factory, jobless claims data signal weakness – “U.S. manufacturing closed out its weakest quarter in three years this month and the number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits held near two-month highs last week…” Reuters

Exergy Development Still Peddling – “[C]ash outflow from Exergy Development to Exergy Tour will total $1.9 million. The doubling of Exergy’s sponsorship of the Exergy Tour dragged a business page quarrel between the energy development company and Idaho Power to page one.” Boise Weekly

As a Tax Credit Wanes, Jobs Vanish in Wind Power Industry – “In recent months, companies have announced almost 1,700 layoffs. At its peak in 2008 and 2009, the industry employed about 85,000 people, according to the American Wind Energy Association, the industry’s principal trade group. ” The New York Times

Idaho’s top taxman retiring – “Randy Nelson was one of the most trusted sources to a generation of lawmakers.” Idaho Statesman