MONACA — An environmental group says it is surveying residents about a proposed $2.5 billion petrochemical plant that Shell Oil has said it may build on the site of a closed Western Pennsylvania zinc smelter.

The Clean Air Council began a survey last month on the proposed plant in Beaver County's Potter Township.

Sean McCormick, one of the survey's authors, said a yearlong health impact assessment of the proposed “cracker” plant to be completed this summer will balance possible negative effects on air quality, water, and traffic against pluses such as revitalized industry and more high-paying jobs.

CINCINNATI — Macy's is cutting 2,500 jobs as part of a reorganization to sustain its profitability.The announcement comes on the heels of a strong holiday shopping season for the department store chain.Macy's said Wednesday that it will reassign or transfer some workers and add some positions, leaving its workforce level at about 175,000.The Cincinnati-based company plans to close five stores and open eight others, leaving it with 844 stores nationwide once the changes are complete.Macy's says the moves will save it $100 million per year.

PARIS — In France, online retail giant Amazon and its peers must now choose between offering customers a 5-percent discount on books sold online or free delivery — but can't provide both.In an unusual show of unity, the French Senate unanimously approved early today a bill to help struggling independent book shops facing pressure from online competitors that offer lower prices. France's lower house of parliament approved the bill last fall.Socialist Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti hailed the Senate vote as part of plans to support book shops in France — including some 11 million euros in state financial support for independent booksellers.