Casey, Toomey join in effort to bring Shell plant to Pa.

Pennsylvania could become home to a gas refinery plant that would bring jobs and business investment.

The state’s U.S. senators are both joining the effort to woo Shell Oil in the three-way contest between Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.

About six months ago, Shell Oil Company announced those states were the potential locations for its ethane cracker plant.

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., has sent a letter to the corporation, citing the commonwealth’s large higher education system, rail transportation network and access to water.

During a visit to the Pennsylvania Farm show Thursday, Casey said Pennsylvania’s workforce also is exceptional.

“I also think there’s a stability in our communities that might not be the case in other states that had a tougher time through this recession,” Casey said. “So I think the economic stability of our state, as well as our workforce gives us an advantage. We’ve just got to fight very hard to get every job possible.”

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., has also been in on the lure, talking with Shell officials.

The facility would refine a kind of natural gas into a chemical used to make plastic.

Ethane is a byproduct of Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling, so it would be practical for the company to put the plant near drilling sites.