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Duquesne OK’s EOS Plant in RIDC Park

Council gives unanimous approval to factory; could add more than 300 jobs

By Tom Leturgey
The Tube City Almanac
December 06, 2024
Posted in: Duquesne News

Related Story: EOS Energy Secures $303.5M Federal Loan

This proposed EOS Energy facility in Duquesne would feature two assembly lines producing industrial-scale zinc storage batteries. (Illustration courtesy Gateway Engineers via City of Duquesne)

Duquesne City Council has approved construction of a manufacturing facility that could bring 300 to 400 jobs to the RIDC industrial park along the Monongahela River.

At a meeting this week, council voted 4-0 to give conditional approval to EOS Energy Enterprises’ plan to build a 181,000 square foot facility on 28 acres of the former U.S. Steel Duquesne Works. Mayor R. Scott Adams was unable to attend.

Doug Sample, Duquesne’s city manager, said the city’s planning commission has reviewed and recommended the project.

Councilwoman Denise Brownfield thanked the company for considering Duquesne. “Welcome,” she said, adding that she hopes city residents would apply for jobs with EOS.

“I personally — as I believe we all are — am excited for a new business coming into the city of Duquesne,” City Councilman Aaron Adams said in an email. “I know the land at RIDC park has value and hope this continues at that location for future businesses.

City officials said final approval is pending.

Based in Edison, N.J., EOS is a publicly traded company with a manufacturing facility in Turtle Creek that produces industrial-sized storage batteries for use by utilities and other major electricity consumers. The systems have been touted as a more sustainable alternative to lithium batteries.

Separately this week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that EOS had secured a $303.5 million federal loan to finance the construction of two additional production lines in Turtle Creek, as well as two production lines in Duquesne.

EOS did not return a request from Tube City Almanac seeking comment on the Duquesne facility.

Gateway Engineers is the project coordinator on the project.

According to city officials, the discussion to bring EOS to Duquesne began in spring 2024 when Council Members Derek Artim and Elaine Washington talked with EOS, County Executive Sara Innamorato and representatives from the county’s economic development team.

Duquesne officials said progress has been steady throughout the year.

In a letter presented to council on Tuesday, the city’s engineer, Glenn Engineering & Associates, said development plans and storm water management plans were presented to the city in July and a geotechnical study of the site was developed in May.

Mike Galet, project manager for Gateway Engineers, said the Duquesne plant was being designed to produce large-scale zinc storage batteries.

“They plan to put shovels to the ground post-January,” Galet said.

The proposed facility on South Linden Avenue will stand on three parcels of land, not previously developed, near the Monongahela River. There will be 227 parking spaces on the land. Initial plans include three shifts of workers at the site.

Sample called the news “exciting” for Duquesne as it seeks new development and revenue streams.

He added that he hopes other businesses, like restaurants and shops, will be spurred by the development.

“I hope our residents look into the jobs that are being offered when the facility is complete, and they take advantage of the opportunities,” Councilman Adams said. “There is much more work to be done to complete a full community business model. Grocery stores, banks, small locally owned businesses, we hope to continue to make progress on next.”

Originally published December 06, 2024.

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