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Quick takes

AWARD: The village of Mingo Junction received an Energy Efficiency Champion Award from AEP Ohio, a utility subsidiary of American Electric Power, at the company’s recent Energy Efficiency Awards event.

The awards ceremony recognizes AEP Ohio’s business customers and partners who have demonstrated a strong commitment to energy efficiency.

Mingo Junction, a new participant in AEP Ohio’s energy efficiency programs, was recognized for achieving more than 70,000 kilowatt-hours in energy savings. The Energy Efficiency Champion Award recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to increasing energy efficiency within their organizations, reducing their energy usage and positively impacting the environment.

Mingo Junction is one of 27 businesses, individuals and schools honored from throughout the state at AEP Ohio’s Energy Efficiency Awards event. The awards recognize AEP Ohio business customers and residential and business partners that have demonstrated a strong commitment to energy efficiency.

“Energy savings makes a significant impact on energy costs, increases productivity, enhances safety, contributes to a better environment and supports local economic development,” said Jon Williams, AEP Ohio energy efficiency and demand response manager. “We hope the efforts of our award winners will inspire other businesses to partner with AEP Ohio and take advantage of our energy efficiency programs.”

INTERNET BATTLE: A federal agency has voted to kick off the repeal of “net neutrality” rules designed to keep broadband providers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast from interfering with the internet.

It’s the latest change that the Federal Communications Commission has made to ease regulation of the phone, broadcast or cable industries.

Undoing the net neutrality rules will be the biggest battle yet triggered by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The tech industry, which sees net neutrality as necessary to innovation, is already pushing back by lobbying politicians, sending letters of protest to the agency and starting to rally supporters.

TRADE DEAL: The businessman in line to be American ambassador to Japan says he’s optimistic about reaching a deal with Japan that could mean equal or better results than the Asia-Pacific agreement that President Donald Trump pulled the United States from after taking office.

William Hagerty tells a Senate committee that Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and members of Trump’s Cabinet are engaged in an “economic dialogue” aimed at a bilateral trade pact with Japan.

Hagerty says Trump and his team are making strides on a personal level with Japanese leaders.

Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Trump’s Florida resort in February.

Hagerty says Pence communicates regularly with Japan’s vice prime minister.

SETTLEMENT: Toyota, Subaru, Mazda and BMW have reached a proposed settlement that would compensate owners of 15.8 million vehicles for economic losses stemming from the massive recall of Takata air bags.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys said Thursday the automakers have agreed to pay $553 million to settle a lawsuit filed in federal court in Miami. The court must still approve the settlement.

Takata’s air bag inflators can explode with too much force, hurling shrapnel into drivers and passengers.

The inflators are blamed for at least 16 deaths worldwide.

The problem touched off the largest automotive recall in U.S. history involving 42 million vehicles.

The settlement provides owners with up to $500 and compensation for out-of-pocket costs related to the recall.

From staff and wire reports

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