Biden's funding helps modernize steel plant tied to JD Vance's family

The Biden administration's $500 million grant to upgrade a steel plant in JD Vance's hometown aims to reduce pollution but faces skepticism among locals.

Scott Waldman reports for POLITICO.

In short:

The grant will help the Cleveland-Cliffs plant in Middletown, Ohio, transition from coal to cleaner hydrogen and natural gas.
Despite the investment, many residents are unaware of the grant or attribute it to figures like JD Vance or Trump.
The plant's future is uncertain if Trump and Vance, who oppose Biden's climate policies, win in 2024.

Key quote:

“I haven’t heard anything about Trump continuing this project. I was thinking he’d probably cancel this project.”

— Gary Combs, a former Armco worker

Why this matters:

Transforming one of the dirtiest steel plants into one of the cleanest could serve as a model for the nation's industrial future, but political divisions may undermine these efforts.

Related EHN coverage:

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