The Latest: Sierra Club says eastern Ohio ethane plant risky

The Latest on a multi-million dollar petrochemical plant proposed for eastern Ohio's Belmont County (all times local):

4:50 p.m.

An environmental group is challenging Ohio Gov. John Kasich's (KAY'-siks) promotion of a multi-million dollar petrochemical plant in eastern Ohio's Belmont County.

The Republican governor announced a new business partnership Monday between Seoul-based Daelim (day-LIHM') Industrial and Thailand's PTT Global Chemical that he called a "game-changer" for the proposed ethane "cracker."

Jen Miller, director of the Sierra Club's Ohio chapter, said the project would have "disastrous consequences for our health and safety."

Miller said the proposed plant, which has languished in the planning stages for years, would subject Ohio communities to increased air pollution and the threat of fires, explosions and other "large-scale disasters."

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2:05 p.m.

Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) says a major South Korean industrial plant builder has joined Ohio's effort to build a multi-billion dollar petrochemical plant.

Kasich on Monday called the partnership between Seoul-based Daelim (day-LIHM') Industrial and Thailand's PTT Global Chemical a "game-changer" for the proposed ethane "cracker" in eastern Ohio's Belmont County.

Discussed for years, the facility would convert ethane, a byproduct of natural gas drilling, into an ingredient for producing plastics.

JobsOhio, Ohio's privatized economic development office, has provided $19 million to the project. Officials say it would create thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions.

PTT says it's invested about $100 million so far on engineering and design.

According to its website, Daelim is South Korea's oldest construction company and an expert in petrochemical technology.

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9:55 a.m.

Gov. John Kasich (KAY-sik) says a proposed multi-billion dollar petrochemical plant in eastern Ohio's Belmont County has a major new international partner.

The Republican governor is set to divulge details of the relationship at a Statehouse event Monday.

The proposed plant, commonly known as a "cracker," would convert ethane, a byproduct of natural gas drilling, into an ingredient for producing plastics.

JobsOhio, the state's private economic development office, has been working on the project for years.

Thailand's PTT Global Chemical has spent $100 million on engineering and design of the project, but it has so far put off making a full commitment to build it.

That has caused concern in the eastern Ohio region counting on the project to create thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions.