Highmark seeks rate increases

Highmark Inc., Pittsburgh's dominant health insurer, is asking the state Department of Insurance for permission to increase its rates for a variety of program offerings. This month, Highmark notified the Insurance Department that it planned to increase reimbursement within its "low income fee schedule" for inpatient and surgical consultations. It also plans to increase rates for Central Pennsylvania's Direct Pay PPO plans; for its Keystone Health Plan West HMO by an average of 8.5 percent; and its CompleteCare program rates by 15 percent. That rate increase would generate $15.1 million annually, a sum that would allow it to waive the deductible for preventive services such as mammograms and immunizations.

Westinghouse pens N-plant deals

Westinghouse Electric Co. and The Shaw Group have signed a contract to build two nuclear reactors in South Carolina, only the second nuclear deal signed in the United States since 1978. The new plants would be built at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in Jenkinsville, S.C., for South Carolina Electric & Gas Company and state-owned utility Santee Cooper. In April, Westinghouse and Shaw agreed to provide two new reactors near Waynesboro, Ga.

Local construction takes beating

The value of contracts for future construction in the Pittsburgh region dropped by 49 percent in April, while construction contracts for the year to date were 1 percent ahead of the first four months of 2007. McGraw-Hill Construction said the value of both residential and nonresidential contracts for April totaled $122.9 million, down from $240.9 million in April 2007. Nonresidential contracts, including commercial, educational and other projects, plummeted by 74 percent and residential contracts slipped by 16 percent. For the year to date, contracts totaled $788.9 million, up from $780.5 million. Nonresidential contracts were 21 percent higher in the first four months of 2008 while residential contracts fell by 24 percent.

No such thing as a free snack

Starting June 1, US Airways will no longer offer free snacks on its domestic flights, a cost-cutting move related to rising fuel prices. US Airways is the largest carrier at Pittsburgh International Airport. It also is evaluating other changes, such as charging a fee for a customer's first checked bag.

Heinz targets greenhouse gas

The H.J. Heinz Co. said yesterday it planned to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent in seven years. Among the projects meant to help the Pittsburgh food company achieve that goal is one to convert potato peels from Ore-Ida products into biofuel, which would be funneled to a natural gas pipeline. The company said the project at its Ontario, Ore., plant eventually could generate enough energy to heat 4,000 homes for a winter.

Also in business …

Emclaire Financial Corp., of Emlenton, Venango County, said it would acquire Elk County Savings and Loan Association, of Ridgway, Elk County, in a stock transaction. Emclaire also said it planned to offer up to $3 million of its common stock to the public to support its growth and for general corporate purposes … The Dress Barn Inc. women's clothing chain has begun selling reusable bags in its dressbarn and maurices stores, with part of the proceeds going to charity.