By Fair Shake

July 24, 2023

On May 16, 2023, 72 Steel held a groundbreaking ceremony to announce its plans to build a new steel manufacturing plant in Aliquippa, PA. 72 Steel will build the proposed plant at the former Jones & Laughlin/LTV steel mill site. 72 Steel is a Brooklyn, NY based company that distributes steel products primarily from their Brooklyn service center. Private investors associated with 72 Steel from New York and New Jersey will fund the projected $218 million plant. 72 Steel is also looking to receive federal tax credits made possible by the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allocating funds to workforce hubs such as Pittsburgh.

This Aliquippa facility will make steel parts for 72 Steel’s products using an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). The plant is projected to produce 500,000 tons of steel rebar a year with the potential to expand to steel beam and anchor production. The Aliquippa plant will be 72 Steel’s first venture into steel manufacturing.  72 Steel expects a production capacity and output value of $400 million. Despite the ambitious planning, 72 Steel has yet to close on the property according to the current landowner, Chuck Betters. Also, 72 Steel has yet to complete the appropriate local and state land development permits prior to construction. Much of the permitting process includes opportunities for public participation and comment. The permits listed below are the anticipated stamps of approval 72 Steel needs to satisfy prior to construction.

Local Permits

At the local level, 72 Steel (through its developer) must satisfy multiple different permits and zoning requirements before it can begin constructing the manufacturing plant. Below is a list of local permits and opportunities for public participation.  See Fair Shake’s Commenting Tips for ideas and strategies for public commenting.

Preliminary Land Development Plan

72 Steel must submit a preliminary land development plan application that complies with the Aliquippa Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO). The plan will include a comprehensive description of the steel plant development including land surveys, erosion plans, stormwater management plans, construction details, phasing schedules, traffic impact studies and other SALDO required documentation. 72 Steel will submit the application to the zoning officer who sends it to the city engineer and planning commission. The city engineer and planning commission will submit recommendations of approval, approval with conditions, or disapproval. Both the city engineer and the planning commission consider the SALDO, zoning ordinances, and other city ordinances that are relevant. If recommended for approval, the city council may hold a public hearing or meeting discussing the application and will make a final approval decision no later than ninety days after filing.

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