GE opens $39M 3-D printing plantIMPERIAL — A $39 million General Electric plant in suburban Pittsburgh is set to begin developing 3-D printing and other high-tech manufacturing processes.The Center for Additive Technology Advancement, a 125,000-square-foot facility about 15 miles west of Pittsburgh in Findlay Township, will employ 50 high-tech engineers, company executives told reporters during an open house Tuesday.Three dimensional printing refers to a process in which digital images are fed into a machine that can manufacture corresponding products out of plastic, metals or other materials.Philippe Cochet, GE’s chief productivity officer, said all eight of the company’s manufacturing divisions will use the center to test new designs and ideas.

U.S. Steel cutting 750 nonunion jobsU.S. Steel says it is cutting 25 percent of its non-union work force in North America, or roughly 750 jobs. The Pittsburgh-based steel producer has about 21,000 employees in North America and about 18,000 are represented by the United Steelworkers union at last count.It is the latest in a series of recent jobs cuts at U.S. Steel, which is struggling with the impact of falling oil prices, increased imports from China and other factors that have hurt demand and lowered steel prices.

Bill requires analysis of public contractsHARRISBURG — Republican-penned legislation on its way to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk would require a fiscal analysis of proposed contract agreements for public employees under the governor’s jurisdiction before they are approved.The Senate voted along party lines to approve the measure Wednesday. It passed the House last month, nearly along party lines. Wolf’s office isn’t saying yet whether he’ll sign the bill.Under the bill, the fiscal analysis would be carried out by the Independent Fiscal Office, a nonpartisan legislative agency.The governor’s administration would have to provide the agency with information about the proposed contract at least 20 days in advance of its execution. That includes the costs to cover public employee wages, benefits, pensions and other conditions of the agreement.

Effort to hinder tree cutting spurs chargesHUNTINGDON — Three people are facing charges after allegedly getting in the way of tree-felling crews building Sunoco Logistics’ Mariner East 2 natural gas pipeline across southern Pennsylvania.Ellen Gerhart and two others were arrested after crews began felling trees on Gerhart’s property March 29. They’re facing charges of disorderly conduct and indirect criminal contempt of court.Gerhart’s daughter says the tree-felling is threatening wetlands.StateImpact Pennsylvania reports Gerhart had asked Sunoco Logistics to postpone tree-cutting until the courts settle her case challenging the company’s right to eminent domain. But Sunoco Logistics asked a Huntingdon County judge for an emergency injunction and the judge granted it.