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PUCO approves significant SOBE rate increase

SOBE Thermal Energy Systems LLC’s downtown Youngstown customers will see significant increases in the cost for steam heat — 93% for most to take effect shortly and then by 162% more by November. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio voted 3-0 Wednesday in favor of the emergency rate increase, recommended by its staff and requested May 21 by John C. Collins, SOBE’s receiver, to keep the troubled utility in business. Voting in favor of the increase were John D. Williams, Daniel R. Conway and Lawrence K. Friedeman without any comment. Chairwoman Jenifer French and Dennis P. ...

Rulli says bill will end predatory litigation by ‘radical groups’

U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, introduced a bill he said will end predatory litigation by “radical special-interest groups” against the federal government filed under the Equal Access to Justice Act. The act, passed in 1980, authorizes the awarding of attorneys’ fees and litigation costs to certain individuals, small businesses and other entities that prevail against the federal government in judicial proceedings and certain adversary adjudications when the government’s position is not substantially justified, according to the Administrative Conference of the United States, ...

Resolution reducing Trumbull property taxes by 2.5% passes

WARREN — The Trumbull County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday that will reduce the amount of taxes that county property owners will have to pay by 2.5%. In making the vote, the commissioners acknowledged the decision likely will not be popular with school leaders and other elected officials because it will hurt their financial bottom line because of the reduced amount they will receive. However, the commissioners said it is time to help residents who feel burdened by escalating property taxes. Commissioner Denny Malloy noted this decision will not only ...

SOBE rate hikes ‘terrible for customers’

YOUNGSTOWN — A 93% rate increase for most of SOBE Thermal Energy Systems LLC’s downtown Youngstown will go into effect as soon as Monday. In a Thursday interview with The Vindicator, John C. Collins, SOBE’s receiver, and Michael Moran, his court-appointed attorney, said the rate increase begins as soon as they file a final notice with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, which will likely be Monday or Tuesday. “That will occur very quickly,” Moran said. “Then, the rate change will be in effect.” The PUCO on Wednesday agreed to a recommendation from its staff ...

Senate narrowly approves war act

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate for the first time approved a war powers resolution Tuesday seeking to block U.S. military action against Iran, as lawmakers warily watch President Donald Trump’s efforts to resolve a conflict that the administration launched on its own and now needs Congress to fund. It was the 10th time the Senate has tried to stop the war, and the outcome, on a vote of 50-48, was a stunning turnaround from past efforts. While the resolution is largely symbolic, and does not carry the full force of law, it reflects the growing concerns from a number of Republican ...

Proposal for SOBE rate hike enlarged

When the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio meets today to consider a significant emergency rate hike for SOBE Thermal Energy Systems LLC’s downtown Youngstown customers, the increases will be even higher than proposed just last week. The initial June 15 recommendation by Christopher Healey, PUCO’s Rate and Analysis Department’s chief of accounting and finances, on behalf the agency’s staff, recommended most SOBE customers pay a 145% increase from their current rates from November to April, when steam heat is primarily used, and 75% during the rest of the year. But after ...