Dayton Power and Light says dead and dying ash trees destroyed by the Emerald Ash Borer beetle were a major factor in the number of summer storm power outages. The utility says ash trees can fall on power lines even if they stand the required 10 feet away from the lines. The utility blames diseased, dying and dead trees for a significant amount of the power disruptions, with the primary danger posed by ash trees. 175-thousand DP&L customers were without power at the height of last week's storm. Columbus-based American Electric Power says 89-thousand-customers remain without electricity today. AEP says most should have their power restored by Saturday. As cleanup continues, The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is examining what, if anything, can be done to prevent large scale outages in the future. The commission's Matt Schilling talks about it with Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles.
Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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