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Kentucky PSC Approves New Energy Purchase Plan for Century Aluminum

An aluminum smelter in Hancock County will be supplied with electric power purchased on the open market under a plan announced Wednesday by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

Century Aluminum of Hawesville says it needed the arrangement in order to remain open. The smelter employs 700 workers and has traditionally purchased power generated by Big Rivers Electric Corporation in Henderson. But Century officials say using electric power purchased on the open market by Kenergy Corporation will be much cheaper.

The PSC said in a statement that the plan tries to achieve a “delicate balance” between keeping the Hawesville smelter open and not imposing high costs on Big Rivers customers beyond those that would occur if Century Aluminum closed.

The new agreement will go into effect Aug. 20.

The award-winning news team at WKU Public Radio consists of Dan Modlin, Kevin Willis, Lisa Autry, and Joe Corcoran.
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