Smelting boost doesn Gov't pushed to disconnect power sales By JEFF NAGEL ALCAN’s pledge to crank up aluminum production by August is fine, but Kiti- mat’s mayer is vowing to fight on to ensure power isn’t exported at the ex- pense of jobs, Rick Wozney was re- sponding to Alcan’s an- nouncement last week that it will increase ‘aluminum production by 60,000 tonnes per year to 240,000 tonnes. That will boost the Kiti- mat smelter to 87 per cent of its 277,000 tonne capa- city. Alcan cut production to 60 per cent of capacity last June, saying low water levels in the Nechako Re- servoir didn't allow it to run at full production and meet power contract com- mitments to B.C. Hydro. That allowed it to deli- ver 165 megawatts to the utility and enter into a new ' contract ta sell power for export. But Wozney said the production restart won't . defuse local fears or alter his suspicion that Alcan wants to shift towards more power sales and away from aluminum pro- duction in Kitimat. “It’s not going to take the pressure off,” he said. ' “This is still a concern to our community.” --He wants Alcan to re- store the smelter to full capacity ahead of any power sales and then move ahead with development of a second smelter there ra- ther than pursue long-term power contracts. At stake are smelting jobs in Kilimat versus power sales profits for both Alcan and the B.C. gov- doesn’t deal with the long term issues,” Skeena MLA Roger Harris added. “There are still long term concerns, They’re shared by me and the commun- ity.” Alcan cited improving. aluminum prices, sagging electricity markets, and. high water levels for the ; decision. Wozney noted Alcan continues to invest in other. smelters around the world despite ils. promise in 1997 ; “Alcan has the belief that they can do whatever they want with the water. But the waiter still belongs to the people of British Columbia.” to pursue additional smelt- ing capacity here. “That promise is on the backberner while in Que- bec they invest billions of dollars,” he said. Meanwhile, he says, Victoria hasn’t sent a clear public signal that alumi- hum production, not power sales, should be the prior- ity in Kitimat. Wozney wants the pro- vinee to enforce the 1950 agreement that gave Alcan ee a CBr s Gators, The Place That Daily Specials & Everyday Specials. Manday & Tuesday is free poo! with Hip-Hop Rick Wozney the rights to tap water from. the Nechako reservoir’ to power industry in Kitimat — not to export elsewhere, "The L950. agreement says power for jobs in Kiti- mat,” he. said. “don’t care whether Alcan’ pro- duces 300 megawatts, 600 megawatts or 1,500 mega- walls, that’s the concept, nol power sales.” By exporting power while production is idled, Wozney says Alcan is currently in breach of the 1950 agreement. He believes Alcan is now exporting close to 300 megawatts or nearly a third of the generating ca- pacity of its Kemano power station. That’s about the limit of what power lines from Kitimat to Ter- Tace can curry into the provincial power grid. Rocks!!! Thursday is Ladies Night Wozney said he’s seek- ing allies on the issue among groups and commu- nilies on the other side of the mountains: - the Ne- chako region from which water has been diverted to run Alcan turbines. “Alcan has the belief that they can do whatever _ they want with the water,” ‘ he said. “But the water still belongs to the people - of British Columbia.” - He also says his town is considering its legal op- tions — such as going to court to get a judge’s in- terpretation of the 1950 agreement and a potential order to enforce it. “That’s the last door we want to go through,” Woz- ney said. “If we have to do it we're going to do it, but that’s not our preference.” Union officials also ap- plauded the production in- crease but said. Alcan should stop selling power and add a further 37,000 tonnes to return the smel- ter to full capacity, Although no workers were actually laid off dur- ing the production slow- down, it did mean less work for supply and ser- vice businesses around the region. Alcan also announced it has frozen its effort to get approval to dredge the Tahtsa Narrows, a project Ti Temacn Sanit WH ettacestandari.com Clack out ou she or call 34-7283 ker scrwtzieg inormeticn that would have improved water flow from the reser- voir to the turbines at times of low water. Enterprise minister Rick Thorpe had a rosier view of Alcan’s future in Kiti- mat, hailing the production increase as great news. “L think it’s very, very positive news,” he said. Asked about fears in Kitimat that Alcan wants to produce electricity ra- ther than aluminum in B.C., Thorpe suid: “I guess this puts that rumour to rest,” He declined to say what he or other ministers hive fold Alcan about Victoria’s appetite for power ‘sales versus aluminum produc- lion, “We believe Alcan has been in full compliance The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 19, 2002 - All ‘t quell Alcan fears with the [950 agreement,” Thorpe said. Harris said he and others continue to argue the benefits to B.C. and the region are “preater in the production of alumi- num than in the sale of power.” “That’s a view that [ continue to reinforce and a message | continue to send,” Harris said. ODD numbered houses EVEN numbered houses YEAR ROUND SPRINKLING RESTRICTIONS The City of Terrace wishes fo remind all residents that water sprinkling restrictions are in force year-round. * Lawn sprinkling is permitted at any time on the following days: ON ODD DAYS of the month ON EVEN DAYS of the month However, we request that it is done during the early morning, before 9:00 a.m. * Hand sprinkling of flowers and shrubs wilh a controlled nozzle is allowed at any time. These restrictions are required to ensure that adequate water supply is available for fire fighting purposes, and to keep the costs of delivering water to a minimum. Further restrictions may be imposed if required. The City thanks you for your assistance in the sensible and moderate use of water. Enter draw for a chance to win great prizes ermment via B-C. Hydro. -“Until the issue of power sales is resolved _ and until the issue of . OV5.. RC | ernment policy” is’ miade *|” clear publicly, we as a ° community will still have concems,” Wozney said. “It’s nice news, but it Wednesday to Saturday “ — OOS Featuring Live Band © La we eee Music by request See cer || Friday Nights To Vancouver! roa friends and we ‘vill provide you with free Bubblies and Balloons, EPILEPSY Gators Pub: Located at the CANADA Best Western Terrace Inn 1-514-845-1855 meen? rt 1-877-SEIZURE Telephone (250) 635-0083 Departu ras fr om Terrace ~ Kitimat www.epilepsy.ca Fax (250) 635-0092 ’ sunday through Thursday 8:00.a.m. 3:00 p.m. oe FRIDAYS 8:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Saturdays 9:30 a.m. - Phone for info or to reserve now New Schedule Starts July 28, 2002 Call your travel agent or HAWKAIR &@ aA 1-866-HAWKAIR 4 aclu store 510° All eS yal wear & : HOME DEC oi FABRIC CLEARANCE all tostore Stack! *Members & “Ml ELETTE All Instore Stocks “Members 0 OOF, 78 Price f {léght | www. hawkair.net — 635-4295 ToL FREE 1-866-429-5247 Providing Home Security Security & Protection Package. 7 and $ _ (Chubb 95 for24hrULC .. a /mo. monitoring’ i | , 4443 Keith Avenue, Terrace, BC | Po oe Local People, Local Service ” 638-8321 ; | a * Based on a (3) year 36 month 24 hour monitoring agreeni¢at at $24.95 plus GST per month. Atthe end of the term you own the system. OAC Only www.chubbsecu rity.com only