West Virginia passes tax break to lure chemical plant

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia lawmakers approved a 25-year tax break aimed at bringing a new chemical plant to the state, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin proposed the measure to cut property taxes for any business that invests at least $2 billion to build a cracker plant, which would process hydrocarbons from Marcellus shale gas drilling into ethylene and other synthetic materials.

Industry groups estimate one would bring 12,000 jobs to West Virginia, the article stated.