Business Digest

OHIO

Brown seeks intervention for Delphi salaried retirees

YOUNGSTOWN — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Avon, and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, wrote to President Barack Obama on Wednesday calling for his intervention on behalf of the Delphi Corp. salaried retirees who stand to lose a substantial portion of their pensions.

They requested that the federal government, as a 60 percent shareholder in the new General Motors, bring GM to the negotiating table to work a new solution. GM, the former parent company of Delphi, has agreed to help fund pensions for hourly retirees.

Meanwhile, the Ohio Senate unanimously passed a resolution that calls on the federal government to treat all Delphi retirees fairly. The resolution was sponsored by state Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, and Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield, D-33rd.

State to give rebates for energy-efficient appliances

COLUMBUS — Ohio will provide rebates to people who buy energy- efficient appliances for their homes beginning March 26.

The program is being funded with $11 million in federal stimulus money.

Ohio aims to provide about 90,000 rebates to consumers who replace old appliances with Energy Star-certified refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, gas heaters and electric heat-pump water heaters. The rebates range from $100 to $250, depending on the appliance.

The Ohio Department of Development is finalizing details with appliance retailers and other vendors. A customer-service line will be launched in a few weeks.

From Vindicator staff and wire reports