WHEELING, W.V. (AP) - A study by the American Chemistry Council claims an ethane cracker in West Virginia could create some 12,000 jobs.
West Virginia is competing with several other states that sit atop the Marcellus shale gas field for factories that can convert ethane - a byproduct of shale drilling - into a widely used compound, ethylene.
The Intelligencer (http://bit.ly/nokxyW) reports the industry study also claims a cracker could generate as much as $7 billion in related industry, such as the production of paints, coatings, dyes and plastics.
Chief Executive Cal Dooley says the ethane from the mile-deep shale formations could be a game-changer for the chemical industry.
Several companies are considering building in the region.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
