Morning Edition

At $106.72 a barrel the price of oil hit a 30-month high on Thursday amid new concerns in Libya. As that translates into higher gasoline prices, Colorado Democratic Senator Mark Udall wants the Obama Administration to investigate the possibility of global manipulation of oil prices.  He says it’s no secret that it happens when OPEC nations collude on production.

Colorado agriculture officials are turning to brewers and Europe to see if they can help boost sales of millet.

Even during tough economic times Colorado’s economy benefited last year because of federal research labs in the state.

UQM Technologies of Longmont is adding employees and space.  KUNC’s Erin O’Toole talks with Boulder County Business Report publisher Chris Wood about what’s driving this electric-motor company to expand.

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, host:

Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne.

Earlier this week, President Obama received an award for his commitment to openness in government. It came from groups that advocate transparency, including the Project on Government Oversight and the National Security Archive. Strangely, the award was presented behind closed doors at the White House and the press was neither informed nor invited. According to Politico, one presenter called all that secrecy of a positive event - baffling.