Tester pushes BPA to sign long-term power contract with Columbia Falls Aluminum Co.

Senator on shuttered aluminum plant: Time to ‘bring these jobs back to the Treasure State’

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester today pushed the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to sign a long-term agreement to supply power to Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, a move Tester pointed to as a first step in restoring the jobs lost in the plant’s shutdown last year.

Citing the potential for as many as 350 good-paying jobs, Tester urged BPA Administrator Stephen J. Wright to quickly bring “negotiations to a successful close.”

“This recession has hammered the Flathead Valley with double-digit unemployment and job losses in core industries,” Tester wrote in a letter to Wright.  “Reopening the CFAC plant could create as many as 350 good-paying jobs in the Flathead Valley.  I urge you to work swiftly and flexibly to ensure that a power contract is signed with Glencore to bring these jobs back to the Treasure State.”

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company shut down late last year after facing rising energy prices as a result of litigation against BPA.  CFAC was not able to find less expensive power on the open market.

“Quickly bringing these negotiations to a successful close is critical to restarting this plant,” Tester added.  “I urge you finalize a contract before the end of the year, so the plant can return to production in the New Year and we can return our economy to its full power.”

Tester’s letter to Bonneville Power Administration is available below.

December 6, 2010

Mr. Stephen J. Wright
Administrator
Bonneville Power Administration
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208-3621

Dear Administrator Wright:

I am writing to urge your support for job creation in the state of Montana.  Specifically, I encourage you to sign a long-term power contract with Glencore on behalf of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company plant. 

Between uncertain markets and rough economic times, many of these core industries have furloughed and finally closed their plants.  The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company plant closed its doors on December 31, 2009, after an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate a continued power supply.  This recession has hammered the Flathead Valley with double-digit unemployment and job losses in core industries. Reopening the CFAC plant could create as many as 350 good-paying jobs in the Flathead Valley.  I urge you to work swiftly and flexibly to ensure that a power contract is signed with Glencore to bring these jobs back to the Treasure State.

Quickly bringing negotiations with Glencore to a successful close is critical to restarting this plant.  I urge you finalize a contract before the end of the year, so the plant can return to production in the New Year and we can return our economy to its full power.

Thank you for your continued investment in securing good-paying jobs in Montana.