OHIO STEEL PRODUCERS HAIL PASSAGE OF BROWNFIELD BILL

COLUMBUS, Ohio (February 6, 1996) –  The Ohio Steel Commission today praised House passage of House Bill 441, calling it "a significant step forward for efforts to redevelop brownfield sites."

"The biggest impediment to redeveloping brownfields is the potentially high cost of environmental cleanups," said Harold V. Kelly, co-chairman of the Commission and executive vice president at Republic Engineered Steels Inc. in Massillon.

"The stark reality is companies often shy away from purchasing and developing brownfield sites because the financial burden required to clean up problems created by a previous owner outweighs the value of the investment,'' Kelly said. "By creating financial incentives, Ohio would send a strong message that it is serious about working with private industry to revitalize these sites and create job opportunities.

"Although this bill is not the ultimate solution to the brownfield issue, it certainly is a step in the right direction. We must continue to develop strategies that will make brownfield redevelopment well worth the cost for private industry,'' Kelly continued.

The Commission, a group of steel, labor, education and government leaders, is a proponent of House Bills 441 and 442.

The Ohio Steel Commission is a public-private partnership to strengthen ties among the steel industry, the state of Ohio and its citizens. The Commission's member organizations are AK Steel Corp., Armco Inc., CSC Ltd., LTV Steel Co., Republic Engineered Steels, Inc., The Timken Co., USS/KOBE Steel Co., WCI Steel, Inc., Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp., the United Steelworkers of America, the Ohio Legislature, the Ohio Department of Development, The Ohio State University and Youngstown State University.