Middletown Works steel plant in line for $500 million federal grant tied to clean energy
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced grant during on-site visit
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced grant during on-site visit
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced grant during on-site visit
Rolling slabs of red hot steel are a common site at Middletown Works, a factory that's been in operation for more than a century.
The steel is used in all kinds of products, including cars and trucks.
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm saw the plant in action on Monday before announcing a huge investment tied to clean energy.
"We're talking about historic incentives," Granholm said to a room filled with steel plant workers. "This invest in America agenda — this is about bringing, keeping mills like this here; making sure you're competitive and able to produce the best steel that's most in-demand around the world in America."
Middletown Works, owned by Cleveland-Cliffs, stands to get up to a $500 million federal grant.
The company's chairman, Lourenco Goncalves, said the cash will help the huge factory become the "lowest greenhouse gas emitting integrated iron and steel facility in the world" — all while adding 170 new jobs and cutting operating costs.
"That's what we're doing here. Middletown is making history today," Goncalves said. "We are cutting costs. We are just not cutting costs by cutting people."
The plan calls for Middletown Works to start being fueled, in large part, by hydrogen by 2028.
"It takes Middletown Works to the next level. It's a huge project that’s going to be beneficial for years to come," said Shawn Coffey, president of International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers Local 1943.
Coffey has also worked for Cleveland-Cliffs for 24 years. He said Monday's announcement is a huge deal for Middletown's future.
"I mean, you're looking at something that's going to make an impact on, you know, someone's kid, someone's grandkid," Coffey said. "You can't get any better than that for Middletown Works."
The federal money is coming from infrastructure laws spearheaded by Granholm's boss, President Joe Biden.
WLWT investigator Todd Dykes asked Granholm about the political implications of the Middletown Works announcement. She responded by saying, "Politics aside, this is the right thing to do for America."