Update:  On March 19, 2014, the Commission issued an Opinion and Order approving the stipulation entered into by Republic Steel, FirstEnergy, U.S. Steel, OEG, Commission Staff, and OMA Energy Group for a unique arrangement between Republic and FirstEnergy for purposes of the electric load from Republic’s electric arc furnace at its Lorain facility.  Pursuant to the terms of the stipulation, Republic’s maximum discount under the unique arrangement is $40 million over a 6 year term, with a cap of $10 million annually.  In the event that Republic has received the total allowed discount ($40 million) at any time before the 6 year has expired, the unique arrangement will terminate at that earlier time.  In order to minimize delta revenue for customers, Republic has committed to shop for electric generation service, unless the generation price that may be procured in FirstEnergy’s SSO rates will cost Republic less than if it were to shop for generation.  Regarding Republic’s commitments, it has committed to hire 449 full-time or full-time equivalent employees at its Lorain facility.  Republic’s investment in the electric arc furnace at the Lorain facility represents a $100,000,000 capital investment and, with its employment commitment as a term of the unique arrangement, additional employment opportunities in northern Ohio.