Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday that federal prosecutors had launched a criminal investigation into the company's safety problems and that the Securities and Exchange Commission was probing what the automaker told investors. The twin developments created new challenges for Toyota officials scheduled to testify during back-to-back hearings today and Wednesday amid concerns that the company and federal regulators failed to take safety problems seriously. Congressional investigators are reviewing the Japanese automaker's recall of 8.5 million vehicles since the fall to deal with safety problems involving gas pedals, floor mats and brakes.

Duquesne Light is beginning a two-year project this week to renovate its Forbes Substation, at Forbes Avenue and Boyd Street, Downtown. The renovation will convert the substation from a 69 kilovolt to a 138 kilovolt system. The parking lane and sidewalk on Shingiss Street will be closed during the project.

Terradime is receiving a $44,000 solar energy program grant from the state to install a rooftop solar photovoltaic power system on a proposed 14-unit condominium building at 5637 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. It is one of 13 alternative energy investment grants Gov. Ed Rendell announced Monday. Terradime is a Pittsburgh real estate and research enterprise focused on sustainable development and energy efficient innovations. The total project cost is $181,500.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh said it lost $5.5 million in the fourth quarter vs. a loss of $187.9 million in the same three months a year earlier. For all of 2009, the bank, which supports residential mortgage activities of local financial institutions, lost $37.4 million compared with net income of $19.4 million in 2008. "By any measure, our 2009 results were not satisfactory," said CEO John R. Price. The bank said it was hurt by higher operating expenses and losses on its mortgage-backed securities investment portfolio.

David Murdoch, chairman of the board of directors of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and honorary consul for the Federal Republic of Germany in Pittsburgh, received the Cross of the Order of Merit for his work in promoting German-American relations. Mr. Murdoch is a partner at law firm K&L Gates. He received the award Monday from Horst Freitag, consul general of Germany, in a ceremony at the Duquesne Club. The award honors Germans and foreigners for services and achievements in politics, economics, philanthropy, social or charitable work, or intellectual pursuits.

Cecil-based coal producer Consol Energy Inc. has averted the closure of a plant near Bickmore, W.Va., by creating a plan to operate it on a five-day workweek, rather than continuously. The company had announced the likely closing of the Fola plant, with layoffs of all its workers, in December. Under the new plan, 157 workers have been laid off, with 301 remaining.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products said Clarence M. McAninch will retire as chairman of the Bridgeville specialty steel producer in May, citing bylaws prohibiting anyone from being nominated as a director after reaching the age of 75. He will be succeeded by president and CEO Dennis M. Oates, who has held those positions since January 2008.

Tops Friendly Markets, which last month acquired 79 supermarkets in four states that had been run by bankrupt Penn Traffic, plans to close two Pennsylvania BiLo stores in Clarion and Blairsville, effective March 13. The Williamsville, N.Y., company also plans to close a store in New York and one in Vermont. A company spokeswoman said Tops continues to evaluate all of the stores but plans to operate most of those acquired. She said the Federal Trade Commission also was reviewing the locations.

Pittsburgh was named the best place to buy a house on Forbes Magazine's list of America's Best Housing Markets.

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