HARRISBURG — The chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission says a gas pipeline inspector training facility might be built in southwestern Pennsylvania because the agency needs more than eight inspectors it now employs.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says PUC Chairman Robert Powelson made those remarks Monday to the governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.

Powelson says the PUC also does some inspections for the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, because that agency has only 132 inspectors nationwide.

Alcoa said Monday that it turned a first-quarter profit on stronger sales with higher aluminum prices that were offset by a weaker dollar and higher costs for energy and raw materials.Alcoa said business improved from a range of customers; including the aerospace, automotive, commercial transportation and packaging industries. It marked the fourth consecutive quarterly profit for Alcoa as it pulled out of two difficult years hit by the recession.The Pittsburgh aluminum manufacturer reaffirmed its guidance for 12 percent growth in global aluminum demand despite ongoing uncertainty in many countries, including China's efforts to slow growth and curb inflation.

SINGAPORE — Oil prices slumped to near $108 a barrel Tuesday in Asia, extending losses from the previous session ahead of key reports on the impact of rising fuel costs on global crude demand.Benchmark crude for May delivery was down $1.64 at $108.28 a barrel at midday Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract lost $2.87 to settle at $109.92 on Monday.Crude has fallen about 5 percent since touching $113.46 during trading early Monday after soaring 34 percent from mid-February.In London, Brent crude for May delivery was down $1.51 to $122.47 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.