State ranks 15th in energy efficiency

Pennsylvania tied with two other states for 15th place in a ranking of states' energy efficiency. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a Washington D.C.-based advocacy group, awarded Pennsylvania 17 out of a possible 50 points. Hawaii and Nevada also scored 17 points; California was No. 1 with 40.5 points.

Creditor purchases N. Side ice cream plant

The former Reinhold Ice Cream plant on the North Side was sold at a sheriff's sale yesterday to BLN Capital Funding, a Chicago-based firm that claimed in court documents it was owed more than $4 million on Reinhold's mortgage. At the sheriff's sale, BLN paid $2,215 for the nine parcels that comprise the property, according to Brendan Delaney, an attorney familiar with the case. The Reinhold plant for the past year has been operated by LaSalle Pittsburgh Corp., an affiliate of a New York dessert and coffee company. A LaSalle official declined to comment on the sale.

Former PPG glass unit to make 'smart' windows

Pittsburgh Glass Works said acquired a license from Research Frontiers Inc. to manufacture and sell automotive glass products with light-controlled, "smart" features such as sunroofs and windows. PGW was formerly PPG Industries' automotive glass business. Separately, PPG said its aerospace transparencies business along with Gentex Corp. would supply electrochromic window shade systems to Hawker Beechcraft Corp. The electrically dimmable shade systems will be used in the 2010 Beechcraft King Air 350i airplane.

Heinz wants to acquire Australian juice maker

Pittsburgh-based H.J. Heinz Co.'s Australia division wants to buy Australian fruit juice maker Golden Circle for about $288 million. Golden Circle's board has backed the deal, which will require approval of 75 percent of shareholders. Heinz plans to keep the acquired company's two factories open.

Nova makes effort to reassure investors

In an effort to reassure investors yesterday, Nova Chemicals Corp. said its liquidity position was healthy. Chuck Magro, vice president, investor relations, said in recorded comments on the company's Web site that Nova continues to benefit from the so-called "Alberta advantage" that allows it to produce plastics in Canada at a lower cost than competitors on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Nova also saw improvement in the value of its fuel contracts for a plant in Ontario and increased its revolving credit facilities with a group of Canadian banks by $100 million, he said.

Bar association site targets young adults

The Allegheny County Bar Association launched a Web site targeted to teens and young adults, www.18andthelaw.org. The site includes information on issues such as underage drinking, Internet awareness, credit card debt and sexual harassment.

Also in business ...

The Settlers Ridge development in Robinson will include a 124-room Courtyard by Marriott, expected to open in November 2009. The 600,000-square-foot open-air shopping center is being developed by CBL & Associates Properties Inc. and Faison Enterprises Inc.