AG - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 6, 2000 ALCAN’S SMELTER operations, pictured here, are suffering from a lack of water. There isn’t enough water in the company's reservoirs to generate en- ough electricity to both power its Kitimat smelter and to meet a contract with B.C. Hydro, The cam- pany is looking for relief from the contract, One op- tion is to shut down a potline, out it is meeting with government officials to find a solution. Alcan power suffering from a lack of water ALCAN IS in talks with B.C. Hydro and the B.C. Utili- ties Commission in an attempt to avoid having to shut down one of its potlines at the Kitimat smelter and po- tentially laying off scores of workers. Alcan official Allan Hewitson says the company is caught between low levels at its Tahtsa Lake reservoir which stores water in preparation for going through its Kemano hydro generators and a contract it has with B.C. Hydro, That contract requires Alcan to sell it 140 megawatts of continuous power, but because of the low water le- vels, it can’t do that and run its smelter at full capacity, he said. Options under discussion include allowing Alcan to delay meeting its required power deliveries, buying power from B.C. Hydro — essentially campensating the corporation for the revenue it lost by not being able to sel] the power it would have been getting from Alcan. Noting BC Hydro would want Alcan to pay current market prices for those purchases, Hewitson said that would mean producing metal at a loss in Kitimat. While he declined to give an exact figure on the potential cost of that solution. to Alcan, he agreed it would run into the millions of dollars. This would then force a third option, closing down a potline to reduce the smelter’s power usage so it could meet its contractual obligations ta BC Hydro. “Not a very pleasant one,” Hewitson added. He confirmed plant manager Louis Delage had met with union leaders to update them on the situation and Alcan representatives had also met with Paul Ramsey, the minister responsible for BC Hydro. Delage will also be meeting with Kitimat council. Skeena MLA Helmut Giesbrecht said he has met with union leaders and is now trying to arrange for Ramsey to come to Kitimat fo meet with union executives. Ironically, B.C. Hydro credits low reservoir levels in the northwest as one of the factors that is driving up electricity prices and consequently, its income from ex- part sales. Whenever there is a shortage in a good or ser- vice, such as electricily, the result is a higher price. Other factors throughout North America such as a lack of new generating capacity, a general increase in demand throughout the continent, a hot 2000 summer which resulted in a higher use of air conditioners and scattered outages in Alberta and in California have also contributed to an increase in prices for electricity. B.C. Hydro, because of those higher prices, says it had a net income of $507 million for.the.six-months end-. ing Sept. 30, $221 million higher-than ‘the year: before... - That figure is after the provincial crown corporation transferred $457 million to a rate stabilization account designed to buffer domestic customers fram future rate increases. and Prizes! You are invited toa Christmas _ ~ Shopping Party 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, Friday, December 8 Savings, Special Events 4645 Greig Ave., Terrace MME SAAN STORES CANADA Gertie Eek oko f efit ei a = Frame Special All Instock Frames 25” Off REGULAR PRICED Five Categories Best Home - Best Street Best Apartment/Mobile Best Commercial Display Best Effort Overail ENTRY FORM ADDRESS: CATEGORY: Drop off entries at the Terrace Standard at 3210 Clinton Street or fax to 638-8432 STANDARD Kodak E2200 *VideoCip * Live video calls * Action equencing SALE PRICED AT $199.99 FRAMES. oo iy Kodak System Don’t let a Grinch Steal your Christmas!| This year, get a Chubb Security Alarm System for as little as $149.95* e Complete 8 Zone Chubb Qx Alarm System * Includes 2 Door Contacts & 2 Motion Detectors * Exclusive Chubb Arm/Disarm touch Q-Key e All Matertals and Installation Inclusive Protect your Family and Home with the Security Professionals! Local Terrace Sales and Service e#ee#s6 Protecting People and Property since 1818 Northwest BC’s most experienced Staff 7/24 ULC Central Station Monitoring Based ona d yéat $74.95 parmonth plus GST monitoring agreement. Digital Camera * Packet sized & portable * 128 picture storing capability Colanvatch A b fixe oe oe ae eo oe ee tare SRS ae ae ae Leones a > rari t oe oe ee ae ee ee ee oe ee Rath are oe ale Boe SOF ee ae as er ae ae Reet ihrer hs PURE EES Borers Stes eerie org 3, 7 ae 8 ® OSCE