January 8th, 2026 by WCBC Radio

A new analysis finds the U.S. steel industry is falling behind as the global market shifts toward cleaner production.  Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel could help reverse that, with $6.5 billion planned for upgrades at two Pennsylvania mills and construction of a new mill, creating jobs and cutting emissions. Justine Hackimer with Ohio River Valley Institute says the report shows a shift to green steel in the Mon Valley’s legacy operations could boost the region’s economy…

"Prior research done by the Ohio River Valley Institute did show that you could grow jobs supported by steel making in the region by 27% to 43%, and that would be because you have to build out renewables to serve that but it also attracts more downstream industries around this new supply of green steel."