BUSINESS DIGEST || Twitter unveils self-serve ad system

Twitter unveils self-serve ad system

SAN FRANCISCO

Buying ads on Twitter is about to get easier for small businesses as the online messaging service adds a key piece to its moneymaking model.

Twitter is unveiling a long-awaited automated system that will enable advertisers to manage their marketing campaigns and budgets without having to deal with sales representatives.

Before Twitter opens the system to all comers later this year, the self-service approach announced Thursday will be available only to advertisers who accept or use American Express cards.

To get the ball rolling, American Express Co. will buy $100 in Twitter ads for each of the first 10,000 qualified businesses in the U.S. that sign up at http://ads.twitter.com/amex . The ads, which Twitter calls “promoted products,” will begin appearing within the flow of users’ messages in late March.

Groups sue to block Ga. nuclear plant

WASHINGTON

Environmental and watchdog groups are suing to block construction of two nuclear reactors in eastern Georgia that would be the nation’s first built-from-scratch nuclear-power plant in a generation.

The groups say the plant should be blocked until federal regulators approve safety changes prompted by last year’s nuclear disaster in Japan.

Twelve groups, including the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, filed suit Thursday in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted 4-1 last week to issue a permit to Atlanta-based Southern Co. to build and operate two new reactors at its Plant Vogtle site south of Augusta.

The NRC last approved construction of a nuclear plant in 1978.

House OKs bill to expand drilling

WASHINGTON

The Republican-controlled House endorsed a plan Thursday to vastly expand oil and gas drilling off the nation’s coasts to help pay for a $260 billion transportation bill.

The legislation has no chance of passing the Senate and faces a White House veto. But for Republicans, the 237-187 vote showed they’re willing to go further to boost U.S. energy production than President Barack Obama. Obama lately has embraced increased oil and gas production on the campaign trail, and has touted how the U.S. in recent years has produced record amounts of oil and natural gas.

Airlines raise fares

DALLAS

If you’re buying an airline ticket soon, get ready to pay a few bucks more.

According to fare trackers, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines are leading a round of price increases that will boost the base fare on many medium-length and long flights by $10 per round-trip.

United, Delta, American and US Airways said Thursday that they had matched the increases.

Associated Press