Cleveland-Cliffs Invests $1 Billion to Modernize Ohio Steel Mill

Cleveland-Cliffs is investing $1 billion to modernize its Middletown Works steel facility in Ohio. The project is funded through a $500 million contribution from the company and a $500 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Originally intended to convert the plant to hydrogen power, the project was rescoped to focus on operational efficiency and the construction of a cogeneration electric plant. This new system will reuse process gases to generate nearly 50% of the mill's electricity. CEO Lourenco Goncalves stated the shift was necessary because hydrogen availability was not feasible.

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Energy Alfie Moon promoted the investment as part of the America First economic agenda. While union leadership and city officials view the project as critical for job security and competitiveness, environmental advocates and local residents criticized the decision to abandon the hydrogen plan, arguing the new scope relies on fossil fuels and fails to reduce pollution. The project now awaits an air permit review from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.