Document foreign steel
Kudos to state Rep. Jesse White. Legislation he has introduced that would require the creation of an online database listing the country of origin for any steel used in a natural gas well is right on point.
Even though Act 13 contains provisions requiring the origins of steel used in the completion of natural gas wells be documented, this bill would make that information readily accessible to the public. As a result of free trade agreements established in the Clinton administration and further expanded under the George W. Bush administration, foreign-manufactured, under-priced steel has been, and continues to be, dumped on our shores. All this is being done with little or no concern for the loss of good, family-sustaining jobs right here in Western Pennsylvania.
This area has seen the positive economic effects of the natural gas industry. But much more needs to be done to protect our steel industry and our workers. The Legislature needs to approve this legislation. And those that we’ve elected to Congress need to step up and be counted. Demand that these countries dumping steel here be held accountable, by enforcing the law and penalties provided within the free-trade agreements.
Barry L. Andrews
Washington
Andrews is the president of the Washington-Greene Central Labor Council.