Port authority deal with Mule Sidetracks

Port authority deal with Mule Sidetracks

YOUNGSTOWN

The Columbiana County Port Authority has sold all rails, ties, ballasts and rights of way associated with Youngstown & Southern Railroad’s nearly 37- mile short track between Youngstown and Darlington, Ohio, to Denver-based MarkWest Partners LP affiliate Mule Sidetracks.

According to the agreement, the port authority still posses mineral rights along the right of way, and Mule Sidetracks will maintain rail service on the line.

F.N.B., BCSB merger completed

HERMITAGE, PA.

F.N.B. Corp., the parent company of First National Bank, announced that it has completed its merger with BCSB Bancorp Inc.

F.N.B.’s merger with the parent company of Baltimore County Savings Bank finalizes the company’s expansion into the Baltimore market. It will hold a top-10 market share in the Baltimore area and operate 24 banking offices in Maryland, the company announced Tuesday.

NiSource reports earnings from 2013

MERRILLVILLE, Ind.

NiSource Inc. announced net operating earnings from continuing income of $493.9 million for the full year 2013, compared with $425.8 million the previous year.

Fourth-quarter income was $151.8 million, compared with $134 million during the same period in 2012, the company announced Tuesday.

Earnings across all three of NiSource’s major segments increased for the year as well.

The company attributed a $59.4 million bump in the net revenue of its Columbia Pipeline Group to system modernization, increased demand and commodity margin and higher royalties from mineral rights.

Gas-distribution revenues jumped by $77.1 million, which the company attributed to increases in regulatory and service programs, higher commercial and industrial usage.

Toxins leaking from 2nd pipe at dump

RALEIGH, N.C.

North Carolina officials say wastewater containing unsafe levels of arsenic from a Duke Energy coal-ash dump is flowing into the Dan River, which already is contaminated from a massive Feb. 2 spill.

The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered Duke on Tuesday to stop the wastewater coming from a pipe running under a coal-ash dump at its Eden power plant.

A nearby pipe at the dump collapsed without warning two weeks ago, coating the river bottom with toxic ash as far as 70 miles downstream.

State regulators expressed concern the second pipe could fail, triggering another spill.

Water coming from the pipe contains arsenic at levels 14 times that considered safe for human contact.

Duke had downplayed concerns that water flowing from the pipe was contaminated.

Vindicator staff/wire reports