courierpress.com
Kentucky Smelter to seek power on the open market
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
1 min read
A western Kentucky aluminum smelter involved in a rate dispute with Big Rivers Electric Corp. says it plans to purchase power on the open market.
State Rep. Tommy Thompson told the Messenger-Inquirer on Friday that Century Aluminum Co., which employs more than 700 workers in the region, had sent the notice to Big Rivers.
Century gave a 12-month notice to end the contract with Big Rivers for its Hawesville smelter on Aug. 20. The company said at that point that it wasn't obligated to continue operating the plant but was looking at options to keep it open.
Company officials say they can keep the smelter open with the right economic circumstances.
Big Rivers officials have said they are already exploring options for selling the large amount of power used by Century to other power companies, including offering to sell the surplus power to Kentucky Utilities Co. and Louisville Gas & Electric Co., among others.
State Rep. Tommy Thompson told the Messenger-Inquirer on Friday that Century Aluminum Co., which employs more than 700 workers in the region, had sent the notice to Big Rivers.
Century gave a 12-month notice to end the contract with Big Rivers for its Hawesville smelter on Aug. 20. The company said at that point that it wasn't obligated to continue operating the plant but was looking at options to keep it open.
Company officials say they can keep the smelter open with the right economic circumstances.
Big Rivers officials have said they are already exploring options for selling the large amount of power used by Century to other power companies, including offering to sell the surplus power to Kentucky Utilities Co. and Louisville Gas & Electric Co., among others.
Previous article
PSC seeking details on Century Aluminum counter-proposal
Next articleAluminum Ingot output exceeds 140,000 tons
Grow with
AL Circle
