Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

BUTLER TWP — Governor Josh Shapiro, UAW Local 3303 president Jamie Sychak, Butler County Commissioner Kevin Boozel, and Cleveland-Cliffs’ chairman, president & CEO, Lourenco Goncalves joined UAW workers Friday, April 12 to celebrate the final U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) rulemaking that saved over 1,300 jobs at the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant.

Pennsylvania workers spoke out about the initial proposed DOE rule earlier this year with concerns that the proposed regulation would threaten jobs in Butler County. Pennsylvania’s Butler Works Plant is an industry leader and the sole domestic manufacturer of grain-oriented electrical steel, and the proposed rule threatened to eliminate the 1,300 jobs at the plant, as well as shut down an important manufacturer at a time when the United States has an increased need for transformers to produce electricity for infrastructure projects across the country.

The governor had sent a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget, highlighting the workers’ concerns and arguing that the DOE’s proposed rulemaking went too far too quickly, restricting the ability of transformers to utilize steel designs like grain-oriented electrical steel within a short three-year timeframe.

This is a developing story. Watch butlereagle.com for more.

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., left, and UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak during his visit to the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Lt. Governor Austin Davis and Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., left, embrace during the Lieutenant Governor and Governor's visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., left, and UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak during his visit to the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Butler County Commissioner Kevin Boozel speaks ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Lt. Governor Austin Davis speaks during his visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro gives UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak a signed "Saving Butler County Jobs" plaque during his visit to the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak, center, speaks ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., speaks during Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Butler County Commissioner Kim Geyer and Butler County Chief of Economic Development and Planning Mark Gordon during his visit to the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during his visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Butler County Commissioner Kim Geyer and Butler County Chief of Economic Development and Planning Mark Gordon during his visit to the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

UAW member Matt Allday, center, speaks ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during his visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

UAW member Matt Allday speaks ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak, center, speaks ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., left, and UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak during his visit to the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Lt. Governor Austin Davis and Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., left, embrace during the Lieutenant Governor and Governor's visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., left, and UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak during his visit to the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Butler County Commissioner Kevin Boozel speaks ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Lt. Governor Austin Davis speaks during his visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro gives UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak a signed "Saving Butler County Jobs" plaque during his visit to the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak, center, speaks ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., speaks during Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Butler County Commissioner Kim Geyer and Butler County Chief of Economic Development and Planning Mark Gordon during his visit to the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during his visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Butler County Commissioner Kim Geyer and Butler County Chief of Economic Development and Planning Mark Gordon during his visit to the Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  UAW member Matt Allday, center, speaks ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during his visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  UAW member Matt Allday speaks ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak, center, speaks ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis' visit to Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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  Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works workers during his visit to the plant on Friday, April 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle