WestChesterBuzz.com

Sue Kiesewetter reports

Two more gigantic metal boxes used in the production of industrial gases need to make the 60-mile trip from the Ohio River in Sedamsville to an AK Steel supplier in Middletown.

The third of four boxes will leave Kinder Morgan’s Sedamsville terminal Tuesday for its two-day journey through Hamilton and Butler counties to its final Yankee Road destination at Middletown’s Air Products and Chemicals Inc.

If all goes as expected, the fourth and final box will begin its journey May 31, said Elizabeth Lyons, public information specialist with the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Officials say there have been few problems with the first two loads, but the transport is taking a week longer than expected. With the boxes weighing between 238,562 and 425,800 pounds – 119 to 213 tons – the trailer carrying the equipment moves at no more than 5 mph.

“We think it’s going very well. Sometimes when you get these super loads you just don’t know how long it’s going to take, said Dan Fahringer, manager of project logistics at Air Products.

“We haven’t encountered any major problems. Although it’s taken longer than everybody thought.’’

Slowing down the delivery of the first two loads were requests to keep vehicles off the roads when schools were being dismissed, pulling over to let traffic go by when prudent, and moving utility lines to accompany the height of the equipment.

With half the equipment delivered, the crews are more familiar with the roads they are traveling, which should reduce delivery time from a three-day trip to two days.

“It was a pretty optimistic and aggressive schedule,’’ Fahringer said. “We’re getting better.”

The boxes measure between 146 and 175 feet in length, 18.5 feet wide and 19.5 feet high.

An entourage of 50 is accompanying each trailer carrying the equipment and includes a minimum of four Duke Energy bucket trucks, four Ohio State Highway Patrol, one Ohio Department of Transportation, and two private vehicles.

In the last two weeks, two of the four boxes have traveled through Hamilton and Butler counties en route to Air Products. There, they will be used by Air Products to produce industrial gases for AK Steel and other clients in the food, chemical, electronic, medical and other industries.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel Middletown, AK Steel West Chester, Duke Energy, Ohio Department of Transportation, traffic

Sue Kiesewetter reports

Four gigantic metal boxes used in the production of industrial gases are being shipped to an AK Steel supplier in Middletown and could cause traffic delays along its route in Hamilton and Butler counties beginning Wednesday.

The equipment is so large that four Duke Energy bucket trucks will travel with the equipment so that utility lines can be raised when needed.

“This is too tall for interstate overpasses,’’ said Mike Moreland with the Ohio Department of Transportation. “Utility lines might have to be moved along the route.”

A caravan that includes Duke’s trucks and the trailer carrying the equipment will be escorted by four Ohio State Highway Patrol, one Ohio Department of Transportation and two private vehicles.

In Butler County, the caravan will be joined by a crew from the engineer’s office and, in Middletown, by the police department, officials said.

“We get involved to help plan the route to make sure the load doesn’t exceed the weight limits on any bridges, the roads aren’t too narrow and underpasses are high enough,’’ said Chris Petrocy, spokesman for the Butler County Engineer’s Office.

Crews from the engineer’s office will remove signs at intersections the caravan will travel through and then reinstall the signs when it passes. Extra gravel may also be placed on some roadways.

The first of the oversized cold boxes will leave from the Ohio River at the Anderson Ferry at 9 a.m. Wednesday and should arrive at Air Products and Chemicals Inc., on Yankee Road in Middletown, by 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

At 238,562 pounds – about 119 tons – it is the smallest of the four pieces of equipment. The equipment measures between 146 and 175 feet in length, 18.5 feet wide and 19.5 feet high. The larger pieces weigh between 256,728 and 425,800 pounds – or 128 to 213 tons.

The boxes are used by Air Products to produce industrial gases used by AK Steel along with food, chemical, metal process, electronic, medical and other clients.

It is part of the company’s plan to build, own and operate a new air separation unit, hydrogen production facility and make improvements to liquefier operations to produce industrial gases.

The trailer carrying the rectangular shaped boxes will move no faster than 5 miles per hour on its journey.

Each cold box will be shipped separately, with two-day shipments leaving Wednesday, Friday, May 21 and May 24.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel Middletown, AK Steel West Chester, Duke Energy, Ohio Department of Transportation, traffic

Sue Kiesewetter reports

Seven new American Liberty Elm trees will be planted Friday in Liberty Township’s Wetlands Park West as part of an Earth Day celebration.

The trees are being donated by Duke Energy, which is collaborating with the township on the project. The trees will be planted during a public ceremony set for 10 a.m. at the park, 6906 VanGordon Road.

“The environment and our corporate volunteerism are very important to Duke Energy and our employees are excited to celebrate Earth Day with the Liberty Township community,” said Tim Abbott, Duke Energy’s director of government and community relations.

The fast-growing trees were selected to represent the township’s heritage. American Liberty elms typically grow to be 200-275 years old.

“The residents of Liberty Township will benefit nicely from this generous donation of Liberty Elm trees from Duke Energy,” said Christine Matacic, president of the township’s board of trustees.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Earth Day celebration and proud to add new trees to one of Liberty Township’s great parks.”

Free evergreen tree seedlings available on Earth Day – Free evergreen tree seedlings will be distributed Friday as part of the Earth Day celebration by the Butler County Recycling and Solid Waste District.

Residents can pick up seedlings during the program, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the government services center, 130 High Street, in Hamilton. There will also be free hot dogs and hamburgers.

“Earth Day is an opportunity to inspire people to get involved and participate in activities that will protect our natural resources every day,’’ said Tim McLelland, event co-chairman and manager of the Ground Water Consortium.

Experts will be on hand to talk about the importance of planting trees, recycling, protecting drinking water supply, monitoring water quality and cleaning up streams.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will bring animals and discuss protection of parks and wildlife. Hamilton officials will distribute water.

For more Information, call 513-615-2538

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Recycling and Solid Waste District, Duke Energy, Earth Day, Earth Day Butler County, Earth Day Liberty Township, Earth Day West Chester, Liberty Township’s Wetlands Park West, Wetlands Park West

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Mason defated the defending state champions, Lakota East, for the second straight time this spring. The Comets have also defeated Lakota West twice. Photo taken by Tony Tribble on April 2, 2012.

Mason baseball sweeps Lakota – The Mason Comets completed a four-game sweep against Lakota high school baseball teams with a 4-2 victory at Mason Middle School last Monday. Overall, the Mason batters struggled to make contact against Lakota East senior ace Michael Conrad, but got a big hit when it mattered.

MetroParks names official bird – MetroParks of Butler County recently completed its “Decision 2012,” a voting contest that designated a native Ohio bird species as the official bird of the park system. More than 1,800 votes were cast during the voting period, which began on Election Day in November and ended just prior to the beginning of March. Winning the contest was the Great Blue Heron.

Dreisbach becomes Lakota’s all-time leader in wins – Lakota West head coach Bill Dreisbach, who is in his 15th year, became the school district’s all-time leader in wins last Wednesday when the Firebirds won at Colerain by the score of 13-2. Dreisbach surpassed former Lakota and Lakota East head coach Jim Rouff, who coached in the district 19 seasons and was recently inducted into the Lakota Hall of Fame.

Court upholds Duke Energy decision – Cincinnati Enquirer’s Mike Boyer reported that The Ohio Supreme Court last Thursday upheld a decision that Duke Energy Ohio is entitled to recover less than half the $30 million it sought from ratepayers to restore electricity following the massive Hurricane Ike wind storm in 2008. The 5-2 ruling by the state’s highest court means Duke’s Ohio residential ratepayers will pay no more than the current 35 cents in a monthly bill rider over three years that was implemented last April.

Cincinnati Reds Zack Cozart and Homer Bailey had their pictures taken with fans during a signing event at the Sports Gallery in West Chester April 6, 2012. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Lakota West OL Kyle Meadows enjoys UGA visit – Lakota West junior offensive tackle Kyle Meadows enjoyed his short visit to the University of Georgia last Thursday, according to Lakota West coach Larry Cox. Meadows, who is 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, visited Georgia on his way home from a a visit to Florida State. Cox said Meadows enjoyed both college programs. He watched practice for 2 1/2 days at Florida State.

Reds players visit West Chester – After an eventful Opening Day, Cincinnati Reds rookie shortstop Zack Cozart and starting pitcher Homer Bailey met with fans as they pulled up a chair to sign autographs, share stories and pose for pictures during a special signing session at a West Chester sports memorabilia shop Friday night.

Luxury home sales down in West Chester, Liberty – The Enquirer’s Rachel Richardson reported last week that luxury home sales in West Chester and Liberty Township fell by nearly half last year, according to local data out this week. In the two townships, median sales prices for luxury homes dipped from $579,999 in 2010 to $549,000 in 2011.

Posted in: Business, Fall sports, News, Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Bill Dreisbach, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Reds player signings, Duke, Duke Energy, Homer Bailey, Homer Bailey Cincinnati Reds, Homer Bailey signing, Hurricane Ike, Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows football recruiting, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, MetroParks, MetroParks of Butler County, MetroParks of Butler County Decision 2012, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Sports Gallery, Sports Gallery West Chester, Zack Cozart, Zack Cozart Cincinnati Reds, Zack Cozart signing

Mike Boyer reports

The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a decision that Duke Energy Ohio is entitled to recover less than half the $30 million it sought from ratepayers to restore electricity following the massive Hurricane Ike wind storm in 2008.

The 5-2 ruling by the state’s highest court means Duke’s Ohio residential ratepayers will pay no more than the current 35 cents in a monthly bill rider over three years that was implemented last April. That rider was approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in January 2011, granting Duke about $14.1 million of the $30 million it sought in storm cost recovery.

Duke appealed the commission decision, arguing the PUCO erred on several legal points.

“We are disappointed by the ruling and continue to believe that all of the costs were appropriate operating and maintenance expenses for the benefit of our customers,” a Duke spokeswoman said.

The ruling ends Duke’s appeal. Writing for the majority, Justice Paul E. Pfeifer said Duke didn’t meet its burden of proof that the commission was wrong.

In dissent, Justice Terrence O’Donnell, joined by Justice Evelyn Lunberg Stratton, argued the utility commission disregarded evidence from Duke supporting its claim.

Duke’s original rate request filed in 2009 stirred a flurry of customer opposition in comments filed with the PUCO.

The September 2008 windstorm triggered a state of emergency and left 1.9 million Ohioans without power. It disrupted electric service to 83 percent of Duke’s 700,000 customers in Southwest Ohio for up to nine days.

The cleanup became the largest utility restoration project in the region’s history. Duke said it replaced 707 poles, 499 transformers and more than 32 miles of overhead lines.

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel challenged Duke’s request. It argued during several days of hearings that Duke’s costs, which included $12.8 million in employee labor costs, $13.2 million in contractor labor costs, and $1.6 million in lodging, food and other expenses, weren’t reasonably and prudently incurred, as required by state law.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Duke, Duke Energy, Hurricane Ike, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, storm, storm damage, wind storm, winds

West Chester Township recently announced that it would continue its natural gas aggregation program with IGS Energy for an additional two years. Residents and businesses currently participating the township’s natural gas aggregation program will remain in the program unless they respond to the opt-out letter that was sent out last week.

The program will begin April 2012 (May 2012 billing cycle) and end in April 2014. The deadline to opt-out of the program is March 13. Once in the program, residents and business owners can leave the program at any time without penalty.

“We are pleased with the rates IGS has provided residents and small businesses participating in the township’s natural gas aggregation program,” Township Administrator Judi Boyko said. “While there is no guarantee of savings, collectively consumers in the program have saved more than $1.9 million.”

In addition to existing aggregation participants, newly eligible accounts should have received an opt-out letter from IGS Energy. Residents, who are now eligible for the program, will be added unless they contact IGS and ask not to be included.

West Chester residents and small business owners, who didn’t receive the opt-out letter, can seek enrollment in the township’s natural gas aggregation program by calling IGS Energy at 1-800-280-4474. All others questions about the program should also be directed to IGS.

Residents served by other suppliers are encouraged to review the terms and conditions of their current agreement, as many suppliers do charge a penalty for early termination. New customers to the program must be in good standing and cannot be part of the utility’s Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP).

“We are pleased to continue as West Chester’s natural gas supplier and look forward to growing the program’s enrollment,” said Doug Austin, vice president of IGS Energy.

• Answers of frequently asked questions provided by the township (more…)

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Duke Energy, IGS Energy, Judi Boyko, natural gas aggregation program

Beginning Tuesday, July 26, Butler County residents can call the county’s information and referral line at 2-1-1 or 513-721-7900 on their cell phones to make them aware of those in need of air conditioners or a fan.

With a donation of $20,000 from Duke Energy to various United Ways in the area, the charitable organization will be able to purchase and distribute air conditioners and fans. Of the total amount, Butler County will receive $2,500.

“Duke Energy has always been committed to the communities we have privilege to serve. One of the ways we demonstrate this commitment is through community engagement such as this opportunity with United Way,” Karen Monday, vice president of the Duke Energy Foundation, said in a release.

“We are pleased to partner with such a strong local agency to try and provide relief during this hot summer weather.”

To learn more about Butler County United Way, visit bc-unitedway.org.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: air conditioning, Butler County United Way, Duke Energy, heat, United Way, West Chester weather

The Port Union Canal Trail in West Chester, a paved trail that runs along the former Miami-Erie Canal from State Route 747 to Bypass 4, reopened Thursday after several months of utility work.

The West Chester portion of the trail has been closed since Dec. 13.

Duke Energy installed underground lines, which required disturbing portions of the trail. Restoration of the trail was not able to take place until recently when new pavement was installed.

The portion of the path impacted follows the course of the former Miami-Erie Canal from State Route 747 to Firebird Lane at the Township’s border.

The Port Union Historic Canal Trail is three-mile paved trail from State Route 747 to Route 4. The 10-foot wide multi-purpose trail can accommodate bicycles, roller blades, walkers, and joggers and is handicapped accessible. It is accessed from Firebird Lane, off Union Centre Boulevard at the Township’s western edge.

For more information, call 513-759 3036.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: closure, Duke Energy, Firebird Lane, Port Union Canal Trail, Route 4, State Route 747, Union Centre Boulevard

Earlier this morning, nearly 19,000 Duke Energy customers were without power due to strong gusting winds that reached up to 40 mph. Approximately 9,000 of those without power were in Butler County.

Despite strong winds continuing this morning, Duke Energy has lowered the amount of power outages to 15,797 as of 10:03 a.m. A total of 6,646 in Butler County are still without power.

>>>CURRENT POWER OUTAGES<<<

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory, which is in effect until 6 p.m. tonight. According to its report, winds will gust between 45 and 50 mph. The strongest gusts are expected this morning and early afternoon. Sustained winds of 20-to-30 mph are expected for most of the day.

The wind combined with the ice that was caused from a storm that went through the area on Monday and Tuesday could lead to more broken tree limbs and downed power lines.

>>>CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS<<<

According to the forecast by the National Weather Service, snow showers are likely mainly before noon today. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent and total snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Tonight, there is a slight chance of snow showers before 1 a.m. Wind gusts could be as high as 32 mph even through the wind advisory could be over by then.

For updates on the weather, visit the West Chester weather page on the National Weather Service website.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Duke Energy, ice, National Weather Service, rain, snow, weather, West Chester weather, wind storm, winds

Duke Energy Ohio customers will be forced to pay $14,104,577 for costs associated with the September 2008 wind storm that was caused by Hurricane Ike. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) authorized the amount Jan. 11, 2011, after Duke initially requested $28,473,244 for storm-related costs in December of 2009.

“There is no disputing that the wind storm that swept across Ohio in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike required an extraordinary effort by Duke and its employees and consumed a great deal of Duke’s time and resources,” PUCO Chairman Steven D. Lesser said in a release.

“However, the power restoration and cleanup costs proposed by the utility rise above the level that should be recovered from customers.”

The storm-related costs will be assessed to Duke’s Ohio customers over a three-year period, according to the PUCO. The average residential customer will pay 35 cents per month through a charge that will appear on their bills as the “Distribution Reliability Rider.”

According to a report by the Cincinnati Enquirer, the $28.4 million request would have cost a typical residential customer about 69 cents a month over three years.

The charge will be explained in each customer’s upcoming bill.

For more about the story, visit Cincinnati.com’s post “Duke customers to pay $14.1M for storm repairs.”

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Duke, Duke Energy, Hurricane Ike, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, storm, storm damage, wind storm, winds