Second Western Kentucky Smelter Says It's Shutting Down Over Electric Costs

Associated Press — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 15:18:27 +0000

Another western Kentucky aluminum smelter has given notice that it intends to shut down in a year because of increasing electric rates.

Media reported the Rio Tinto Alcan aluminum smelter in the Webster County town of Sebree gave notice Friday of its intention to follow the lead of Century Aluminum in Hawesville. Century filed its notice in August.

The notice from Rio Tinto Alcan comes as Big Rivers Electric Corp. seeks a substantial rate increase citing the impending loss of Century, its biggest customer.

Rio Tinto Alcan spokesman Kenny Barkley said Big Rivers is seeking a rate increase from $50 per megawatt now to $60 per megawatt, and that rate isn't sustainable. The smelter has 488 employees.

U.S. 41 Re-opened after Oil Well Tank Fire

Associated Press and Dan Modlin — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:44:15 +0000

Kentucky Transportation Officials say lightning struck an oil well tank in Webster County late last night, igniting a fire that led to the temporary closure of U.S. 41. The state's Transportation Cabinet says the lid from one of the tanks was blown onto the nearby highway. No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident, which started shortly after 10 pm.