When Phil McFarren left the state and federal legislative corridors and the halls of the giant U. S. Steel landmark in Pittsburgh no one could have expected the series of ensuing events. The $6.0 billion investment in Marathon matured with a total spin off from the steel unbrella to beome the largest oil refiner in North America today as opportunists quietly took control of the massive accumulation of oil, gas and mineral rights now worth billions of dollars. The steel segment, after relenting to a very passive approach to the powers of government. suffered a continuing financial decline before being rescued by an opportunistic Japanese based Nippon Steel who is now the largest competitor to the now domineering Chinese steel industry.
Nippon has pledged to retain the Pittsburgh landmark location with an aggressive and more bipartisan approach to working with government, including a Golden Key to U. S. Government leaders regarding input into future manufacturing locations.