U.S. Steel Firing Up Furnace In Alabama, Thanks To Tariffs

Breitbart ^ | 2-11-2019 | John Carney

[blam]

United States Steel said Monday it will resume construction of a furnace in Alabama, adding 1.6 million tons of steelmaking capacity and hundreds of jobs.

Construction on U.S. Steel’s mill in Jefferson County, Alabama, was suspended in 2015 after China’s overproduction caused a global steel glut that sent prices plummeting. The tariffs the Trump administration imposed last year have reduced the flow of foreign steel in the U.S. and allowed domestic makers to expand again.

U.S. Steel Chief Executive Officer David Burritt said in a statement:

Thanks to the President’s strong trade actions and improved market conditions, support from the United Steelworkers and incentives from the State of Alabama and the Jefferson County Commission, we are excited to add EAF capabilities to our company’s footprint and provide sustainable tubular solutions for our customers.

EAF refers to “election arc furnaces,” which make steel from scrap metal instead of iron ore. They are considered more energy efficient than traditional blast furnaces and can be restarted once shut down. Older furnaces often had to be retired once they were shut down.

The Alabama plant will be the company’s second major expansion following the imposition of steel tariffs. The company restarted two blast furnaces at its mill near St. Louis last year.

U.S. Steel said the electric furnace and related casting equipment will cost about $215 million and will add about 150 workers to the existing 750-person workforce.

(snip)

[ArtDodger]

” Do tell ... Which coal miners supported 0bama?”

https://dailycaller.com/2014/08/02/coal-miners-union-in-full-revolt-after-supporting-obama-in-2008/

Those who don’t study History are condemned to repeat it.

[neverevergiveup]

“China has been dumping steel for 50 years.”

China, as a top down state-controlled economy, can run industries for years and years at ‘break even’ returns. Break even is perfectly fine for them, as it means people are working and making a wage, and it is costing the government nothing. Further, it provides China with production capacity that bolsters their ability to build up their military quickly when desired.

[onona]

I shoulda bought when it was at 17......

[Cobra64]

Electric arc furnace, not “election” arc furnace. No one proof-reads anymore.

[Graybeard58]

Speak for yourself buttwipe, but I know many ‘union’ steelworkers who happen to vote Republican, and are probably more conservative than YOU.

.................................................

Thank You!

I’m a 73 year old, retired U.A.W. member and vote in every election, Fed., State and local and I have never voted for a democrat in my life. I’m sick of being painted with a broad brush.

On top of all that, I live in Notchicongo, Illinois. I’m sure you’ve already heard, everybody who lives in, Illinois, California, N.Y. and N.J. are damn’d liberals.

[higgmeister]

My Uncle Johnny used to work at the Sloss Furnace in Birmingham until it shut down. He and my Aunt would give cast metal items to all the relatives for Christmas every year. One year a heraldic shield wall hanging, then andirons for the fireplace, a dog nutcracker with its mouth that opened and his tail, the lever, replica Cast Iron Clothes Iron and trivet the list went on and on. My Mom said when she was a girl in Birmingham you could walk out of the door every morning and taste the soot in the air.

It is fantastic to see a heritage industry return.

[NorthMountain]

Those who don't study history are condemned to repeat it.