Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2009
BELLINGHAM, WA - Hundreds of workers at an aluminum smelter near Bellingham let out a huge cheer yesterday. The occasion was the signing of a contract under which the Bonneville Power Administration will supply the Alcoa company with low-cost federal hydropower. Machinists union leader Hugh Diehl says the power sale secures more than five hundred family wage jobs.
Hugh Diehl: “Today took a lot of stress out of a lot of folks’ lives, especially around Christmas. This was a great Christmas present for the facility. And let’s not forget, this was a great Christmas present for our community also.”
Meanwhile, public utilities in the region are wondering where B-P-A will get the cheap electricity to supply the smelter. Utility associations have previously sued Bonneville over direct power sales to industry. Public utilities claim federal law gives their customers first dibs on cheap Columbia River hydropower. And they’d take more if they could get it.
Copyright 2009 Northwest News Network