When Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area in August 2017, the devastation was unimaginable. The storm not only impacted an untold number of homes and businesses, it also exposed a weakness in America’s petrochemical industry.
When the storm hit, 17 ethylene crackers, representing 60% of the production capacity in America, went off line. These facilities provide the feedstock for the plastics and chemical industries, and shortages and spikes in prices impacted manufacturers coast to coast. Gradually, the crackers returned to production after several weeks, but not before this major disruption to America’s economy.
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Today, Secretary Rick Perry announced the release of a new study by the Department of Energy detailing the potential for a petrochemical hub located in the Appalachian region. The report highlights the amazing growth of production of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL’s) in the Marcellus and Utica Shales and emphasizes the benefits an ethane hub would have for America’s economy.
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Members of the American Federation of Government Employees union from as far away as Florida rallied Friday in Bruceton Mills to bring awareness to what they say have become dangerously low staffing levels at the federal prison in Hazelton and other penitentiaries nationwide.
The Hazelton complex has been in the national spotlight since the Oct. 30 murder of convicted mobster James “Whitey” Bulger within hours of his transfer to the maximum-security portion of the facility.
U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., joined the employees gathered at the Interstate 68/W.Va. 26 interchange to show his support and explain his ongoing effort to get more staffing at the prison.
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Congressman David McKinley held a roundtable discussion Thursday afternoon with nurses from Ruby Memorial Hospital.
McKinley said he wants to hear about problems nurses may face, including shortages and retention, and how he can help make changes.
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Late Wednesday afternoon, President Trump signed a bill into effect that will provide help in the battle against opioids in West Virginia.
It was a big victory for the state, but specifically for one local congressman.
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U.S. Congressman David McKinley feels West Virginia is in a good position to capitalize on industrial growth following actions by the Trump administration, including lower taxes and an emphasis on brownfield development.
McKinley, R-Wheeling, was in Weirton Monday, meeting with local businesses and medical professionals.
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U.S. Congressman David McKinley Wednesday afternoon visited the site of the former Johns-Manville plant in Vienna.
The plant closed in 2002, and, since its demolition, the city has been working to clean up the area, building a park near the former plant's parking lot along the Ohio River.
McKinley says a grant he helped secure has assisted the city in accomplishing the cleanup.
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Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., met with leaders of six local manufacturing firms for a roundtable on the challenges they face.
The businessmen expressed their concern about the lack of a skilled workforce but expressed pleasure with the tax cuts that took effect at the start of this year.
McKinley raised the issue of workforce challenges, noting that nationally there are 7.1 million jobs open. “We can’t fill them.”
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Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va. visited Morgantown on Friday and spent some time with The Dominion Post to review some of the action in Congress.
McKinley cited three priorities: Opioids, health care and economic revitalization.
McKinley said President Trump recently signed a package of 57 opioid bills. They covered a blend of issues: Enforcement, rehabilitation and education among others.
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