May. 02, 2019
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny), the Republican chairman of the House Steel Caucus, and Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny), the Democratic chairman of the House Steel Caucus, applauded the announcement today by U.S. Steel to construct a new state-of-the-art and sustainable endless casting and rolling facility in Braddock.
The $1 billion investment at the Edgar Thompson Plant will be cement Pennsylvania and the Mon Valley as a leader in the steel industry.
“U.S. Steel’s commitment to build this new facility will benefit the steel industry and western Pennsylvania for many years to come,” Ortitay said. “This world-class technology will increase the ability to produce advanced high-strength steel, while also improving environmental performance.”
“I am extremely excited about the investment that U.S. Steel is making in the Mon Valley,” Kortz said. “The steel industry is vital to the economy in western Pennsylvania, and this new facility will help secure the future of manufacturing in the region.”
The project consists of a new combined casting and rolling facility in Braddock and a new cogeneration power plant in Clairton, which will power all the Mon Valley Works’ facilities. It is expected to be completed by 2022 and make it the Braddock location the primary site for the high-strength, lightweight and flexible steel needed for the automotive industry.
The steel industry is vital to Pennsylvania’s economy. According to a 2018 economic impact study commissioned by the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Pennsylvania steel industry directly employs 34,124 workers who earn $3.14 billion in wages and salaries annually. This equates to an average annual salary of $92,037, while generating $22.45 billion in output. Study results show the Pennsylvania steel industry ranks among the top three states for direct jobs, output, wages and taxes paid.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
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tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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