YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) -- It appears a deal has been struck for SOBE Energy to continue operating in Youngstown -- but only until the end of this month.

Lawyers for both the city and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio had gone to court trying to keep a West Virginia company from repossessing a piece of equipment that had been leased to SOBE. Without that machinery, SOBE cannot operate, and that threatened service for 120 customers downtown.

After some negotiating, Wabash Power Equipment will allow SOBE to continue using its steam production unit through the end of the month -- when the machine will be repossessed. In exchange, the city will pay Wabash $20,000.

City leaders say they are working to find another company to take over SOBE's operations.

See Full Page