Labor Day Pittsburgh Rebirth

The building and energizing of America had it earliest roots in Western Pennsylvania. Anthracite coal mined here warmed northern homes, saved the forests, and fueled the fires of industry. Steel from the Monongahela River Valley flowed all around the U.S.A., delivering the strongest, most durable material of construction yet. Coal-fired mills of the Steel River built the world’s first Steel Nation.

Amidst the petroleum energy crisis of the 1970s, support for the Steel Valley waivered. Fires were banked, mills were closed, working men were furloughed, families failed livelihood, and infrastructure was abandoned or dismantled. In the grip of fear over energy scarcity, the Steel Capital of the Nation was idled.

With the rising tide of climate distress marking the New Millennium, any hope of Steel Valley revival in Western Pennsylvania became remote. Coal still is available, but burning it in original industrial magnitudes would grievously exacerbate global warming. It would be unwise to undo the natural environment to further build or replace the engineered environment.

Close scrutiny evokes a better vision for the rusting Steel Capital, perhaps illuminating a return to earlier Labor Glory. Consider synthesis of the following strong pointers towards an enduring labor commendation:

Three Rivers of Grace – The Pittsburgh focus of the Western Pennsylvania Materials Capital situates on Three Rivers: Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio. These River Highways service many city ports of the U.S.A. and ultimately connect to all ocean ports of the Earth. Materials of construction made here are not perishable, so lengthy travel via slow rivers does not spoil the product. Greater scheduling care compelled by longer lead times must be given so materials arrive at a project site on time, well-coordinated with other project factors. The lengthy river leg of raw material inflows or finished product outflows benefits from a one-way, energy-saving current assist. To avoid local energy shortfalls, distant customers can provide return-trip fuel from distant repositories. Cargo sailing ships soon to replace the petroleum shipping fleet will be able to bridge lengthy ocean legs at lower cost and without use of expensive, vanishing repository energy.

Human Work Efficiency – The northern repose of the Pittsburgh Steel City (40 degrees northern latitude) gives it a habitable Four Season Climate with an average temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit (50F). Winter and summer extremes are 84F average highest (record highest 103F) in July and 21F average lowest (record lowest -21F) in January. Pittsburgh is very near the global halfway latitude of 45 degrees, which centerlines the world’s work belt. Very much above 45 degrees is too cold to live, move, and work. Very much below 45 degrees is too warm to live, move, and work. Clothing buffers limitations of the flesh somewhat, but it is a safe generality to say that human life is suited to Fahrenheit scale factors between 0F and 100F, nominally 50F. You might remember the aforementioned sweet spot and zone of work by interpreting “Fahrenheit” as “Fair-In-Height,” thereby referencing God’s precious, standing, fair-minded man of marvelous work. Average temperature of the human body is 98.6F. Flesh will freeze at 32F and the brain will cease to function at 106F. Carnot Cycle Thermal Efficiency = 1 – (T low/T high) or (T high - T low)/T high, where T is in absolute degrees Kelvin (same unit size as Centigrade) or Rankine (same unit size as Fahrenheit). Add 459.67 to the Fahrenheit scale to get the Rankine scale. Thermal efficiency for the human body engine ranges from 0% at the 100F top of the Fahrenheit scale, to 18% at the 0F physio-base of the Fahrenheit scale. Mid-range human efficiency generally, and in the complementary Pittsburgh 50F climate, is about 9%. Efficiency declines to the south, and climate-enabled physical mobility and habitability (snow, sleet, and ice) constrain work further north.

Winter Operation – Pittsburgh thermal industries (the metal industries) would not contribute to global warming and climate instability if they operated only in wintry months. Resting the workforce in summer months stops overheating and matches plant utilization to maintenance obligations of our advanced society. Habitat infrastructure in Western Pennsylvania already has been developed by previous generations, so compensation for six months of work (spread over a 12-month payout) should be more than enough to cover regional living expenses. Summertime rest affords metalworkers ample time to self-sufficiently care for houses and lands, self-maintain automobiles, and engage food gardening for free family food . . . all free-family-labor-generated reductions in the cost of living.

Recycling – steel and other materials of construction are now re-situated above ground. Just gather and re-produce precious metal products to lower manufacturing cost with up to 95% energy savings. The river system and steam shipping is amenable to economic metal gathering. Coal is nearby. Earlier acquired production expertise augers for recycling and re-processing effectiveness. And the world-class labor culture nearest us in time can be recycled. Re-commit to becoming the nation’s Metal Recycling Capital. Then teach other maturing nations how to do it well. This cuts global warming and reduces global cost of living. It is the way of peace.

Spirit – Greater Pittsburgh was heart of the Steel Capitol, and suffered economically when steel mills were shut and the huge mill infrastructure languished. Through church-building of millwork families the region also became a Spiritual Capitol. The doorways of salvation did not close. Nation-building work was evidently powered by the Holy Spirit. Churches yet abiding can recharge the Re-Born Steel River. The same faithful Spirit of Growth can become the faithful Spirit of Maintenance and Maturity. God never abandons the working man, only rests & refines him. Let’s anticipate a glorious afterglow.

Growth Curve – The first wave of steel built a steel nation, strong and tall. The second wave can poise for reliable maintenance at a lower throughput level (rehabilitate century old bridges, roadways, buildings, etc.). Maintenance service could engage perhaps 20% of the region’s original growth manning.

Transportation – Steel properties qualified well as a stationary metal: buildings, towers, bridges, railways, and re-bar skeleton of sidewalks and roads. Aluminum properties confer mobility character to that metal. Need for spacious, durable lightweight railcars, trucks, and automobiles eventually will substitute aluminum for steel as material of construction. Consequently, the Old Steel Valley can reconstitute as a Steel & Aluminum Valley. Aluminum plants are cleaner; sheet, plate, wire, rod, bar fabrication processes similar. A re-birthed labor force can manufacture aluminum or steel, even flex between workplaces. Eventually re-cycled aluminum manufacture could compose perhaps 50% of the total metallurgical workforce.

Synergy – A Steel & Aluminum Valley built upon recycling can give rise to a new generation of aluminum-coated or clad steel products with multiplied corrosion resistance and finish repertoire. The interaction products (A x B) open up a whole new realm of properties and applications for a more beautiful and permanent world. Having known the original A + B technology, rebirthing with A + B + (A x B) could be a real triple play that only plays here.

Environmentalism – Delivering lowest cost materials to the nation came at the expense of local environmental soundness. Air, water, and land became sadly polluted. Product pricing never included a surcharge for keeping Mother Nature pure. National beneficiaries of Western Pennsylvania’s low-cost materials of construction have never paid the region back for environmental debts incurred. A re-born metallurgical industry innovatively composed could bring a second wave of wealth prudently budgeted for environmental recovery and preservation. Rivers can be rehabilitated, air pollution technology perfected, and land damage (including ground waters) fixed. It is a merciful second chance to do right for the earthly bounty of God from which we have drawn so much life.

#Pittsburgh #Labor