Regional Business Digest

REGION

Dominion rate-rise case

COLUMBUS — The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) scheduled oral argument in the Dominion East Ohio distribution rate case to give parties an opportunity to present arguments to the PUCO commissioners with regard to rate design.

The oral argument will take place Sept. 24, 200,8 immediately after the commission’s weekly meeting.

The evidentiary hearing concluded Wednesday.

Initial briefs are due by Sept. 10, and reply briefs are due by Sept. 16.

On Aug. 30, 2007, Dominion filed an application at the PUCO to increase the rates it charges for natural gas distribution service.

PUCO staff issued its report May 23.

In its report, PUCO staff recommended a new residential distribution rate design under which customers would pay a flat monthly fee that covers nearly all of the distribution costs that do not change with natural gas usage.

The usage-based part of the distribution rate would be lower.

NATION

GM to offer USB ports

DETROIT — General Motors Corp. says it will offer optional radios with USB ports for personal music players on some of its 2009 models. The new radios will allow customers to play music from iPods or MP3 players while charging many of the devices through a USB port like the ones found on most computers.

The new radios are available now on the Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR and the Pontiac G5. By the middle of the model year, they will extend to the Pontiac G6 and Solstice, the Saturn Sky and Aura, and the Chevrolet Malibu.

On many of music players, including inexpensive ones, customers will be able to browse through the player’s library using the radio controls and electronic display.

GM began offering auxiliary input jacks for MP3 players and other audio devices two years ago, but those inputs didn’t allow the device to recharge or allow the vehicle’s radio to control the music player.

Several other automakers have had USB ports in their vehicles for a year or more, including Ford Motor Co.’s Sync system developed jointly with Microsoft Corp.

Pricing of the new GM radios will vary by model. Specific figures were not available.

Vindicator staff and wire reports