American steel is drowning in red ink.

Excess steelmaking worldwide, along with imports, are being blamed for rock-bottom domestic steel prices. Skyrocketing energy prices have jacked up U.S. steelmakers’ costs, resulting in even more losses.

Layoffs mount as American steelmakers filing for bankruptcy left and right.

Close to home, CSC Ltd. is in the process of mothballing its Warren, Ohio, plant after filing for bankruptcy earlier this year.

All of this comes at a time when the outgoing Clinton administration showed little interest in the industry and the Bush administration has thus far displayed even less.

Not a pretty picture, acknowledges U.S. Rep. Phil English.

"Clearly, the steel industry is facing a depression,’’ said the 21st District’s congressman.

Still, the Erie Republican announced Friday he is taking over the helm of the Congressional Steel Caucus from fellow Republican, Rep. Jack Quinn of Buffalo, N.Y.

The Caucus comprises Republican and Democratic House members and represents steel manufacturers and others in the industry.

"I’m willing to take it on because somebody has to,’’ English said at a news conference at Duferco Farrell Corp. "We can’t survive without a domestic steel industry.’’

Imports have dealt American steelmakers a crippling blow, he said.

"We have the most productive steel industry on earth, but our foreign competition expects us to do the downsizing.’’

Creating fair trade laws, speeding the process for complaints against dumping and making it easier for steelmakers to be eligible for federal loans, English said, will be his top goals.

Getting all that done isn’t going to be quick or easy. English said he believes it could take years of work to get everything in place.

During a tour of the Farrell plant, managers and United Steelworkers representatives talked with English and reporters about the industry.

Duferco has spent $70 million since buying the plant a few years ago and turned a profit last year, said Michael Hrycyk, human relations manager. But so far this year the plant is losing money.

"A year ago, prices for a ton of hot-band steel was running over $300,’’ he said. "Now the price is in the low $200s. We ship 1 million tons of steel here a year, so you do the math -- that’s a lot of money.’’

He added the plant also needs funds for job training. Duferco and four other local companies made a presentation recently for part of the $24 million in state job-training funds that is up for grabs.

"All of the money went to the eastern part of the state. We didn’t get a dime,’’ Hrycyk complained.

"It’s got to help us -- having somebody like English who lives in western Pennsylvania and has seen the devastation in the steel industry head up the caucus,’’ said William Biblis, president of United Steelworkers Local 1016. The local represents 400 production workers at the Farrell plant, along with other mills in the area.

Still, the USW hasn’t always seen eye to eye with English.

Last summer USW members picketed English’s Hermitage office urging him to vote against a measure allowing China into the World Trade Organization. The group mediates trade disputes among member nations.

English voted for the measure, which generated scorn from the USW. It was wrong for English to vote in favor of China, Biblis said.

But, he added, the union’s relationship with English can improve.

That’s a sentiment the congressman supports.

"I’ll work with the steelworkers,’’ English said.