The Latest News
A poll by the Stanly News & Press shows residents favor a new license for Alcoa by a 2-to-1 margin. “A hot topic with callers in support of Alcoa is the belief that the county is wasting time and resources fighting the issue and on the study — money that could be better spent in the school system and elsewhere,” the article says.
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Did You Know?
Alcoa owns nearly 38,000 acres of land along the Yadkin River, including the property under the water, and pays $1 million in local property taxes each year.
By The Numbers
71%
Percent of North Carolina residents who oppose spending $25 million or more of taxpayer money on a government takeover of the Yadkin Project
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They Said It
“If you’re going to spend taxpayer money against Alcoa, or whoever, that needs to be done in an open meeting of the County Commissioners and not by some secret committee.” Leon Warren (WSPC) to Stanly County Commissioner Lindsey Dunevant
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Nearly 100 years ago, Alcoa invested millions to build a hydropower business along the Yadkin River in central North Carolina. In the process, Alcoa created a series of four lakes, including High Rock Lake and Badin Lake, which provide numerous recreation opportunities and serve as an important economic engine for the entire region.
Today, Alcoa Power Generating Inc. generates clean and renewable energy under a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). APGI has been working with the State of North Carolina and other interested parties for more than five years to discuss the future management of the Yadkin Project. This effort is part of an ongoing effort to obtain a new federal license to generate hydropower.
Homeowners, Environmental Interest Groups and State Agencies Support a New License for the Yadkin Project
Alcoa has reached a Relicensing Settlement Agreement that strikes a balance between many competing interests in the Yadkin River. The agreement will improve water quality, preserve land, protect habitat and improve recreational opportunities along the Yadkin River. Click here for a complete list of benefits associated with a new license.
Click here for a complete list of benefits associated with a new license.
Granting a new license to Alcoa is supported by 23 organizations, including state agencies specializing in water issues (the N.C. Division of Water Resources and the N.C. Division of Water Quality); one of the Yadkin River’s largest water users (City of Albemarle); leading environmental interest groups such as American Rivers and The Nature Conservancy; and other groups representing North Carolina homeowners, recreational users and business interests. Click here for a complete list of supporters.
Click here for a complete list of supporters.
Protecting North Carolina’s Water Interests
Some opponents of Alcoa have argued that North Carolina should oppose a new license to protect its water rights along the Yadkin River. The fact is, the federal government, controls water rights — not Alcoa — and it is responsible for approving water withdrawals, inter-basin transfers and affecting other important water issues that might interest North Carolina in the future.
Alcoa has worked closely with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure that North Carolina’s water interests are well represented and strongly supported in the relicensing agreement. For example, the relicensing agreement allows for new or increased water withdrawals by local municipalities, giving North Carolina access to water for growth during the next 50 years.
Commenting on Recent Events:
N.C. General Assembly to study water issues along Yadkin River
Our View: Alcoa supports North Carolina study of water issues, but urges legislators to avoid consideration of a government takeover
There’s no question that maintaining a healthy and abundant water supply is critical to North Carolina’s future. That’s why Alcoa supports the N.C. General Assembly’s plan to study water issues along the Yadkin River.
The state should stay true to the focus of the planned study and honor its commitment to not consider a government takeover or condemnation of the Yadkin Project. For the state to study a “recapture” or “taking” of the Yadkin Project is outside the bounds of what the study calls for.
Alcoa will strongly oppose efforts to take over the Yadkin Project. North Carolina residents strongly oppose a government takeover, too — and for good reason. The taking of private business sets a dangerous precedent and sends the wrong message to businesses that may be looking to expand or locate in North Carolina.
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