Business Digest

REGION

Rep. Ryan offers his help to reopen Warren steel mill

WARREN — U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, has written a letter offering his help in restarting the Severstal steel mill here.

Ryan asked senior officials at the Russia-based company to reconsider whether restarting the mill would help company operations. He noted that Congress has passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was designed to spur spending in the economy and aid the steel industry. The mill’s steelmaking operations have been shut down for more than a year, and more than 1,000 workers are laid off.

Columbia Gas consumers can expect big savings

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s largest natural-gas company says next month’s rates will be the lowest for December in eight years.

Columbia Gas of Ohio, which serves part of the Mahoning Valley, informed state utility regulators Thursday that it plans to charge 49 cents per 100 cubic feet of natural gas, down from 70 cents a year ago. It means the typical customer will have a $92 December gas bill, compared to $170 for the same month in 2008. The charge in November is 56 cents per 100 cubic feet.

From Vindicator staff and wire reports