Senator Baucus: Hope for Columbia Falls, Montana Aluminum Company

Senator Continues Push to Renew Job Opportunities in the Flathead

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus http://baucus.senate.gov/ issued the following statement encouraging public input on a power sales agreement between Bonneville Power Administration and Glencore that would pave the way to reopening Columbia Falls Aluminum Company:

"Montana jobs rely on this proposal which is why I’ve been pressing BPA and Glencore to finalize an agreement. I’ve also urged Glencore to consider rehiring workers laid off from CFAC as they work through any deal to reopen the company. Families hit hardest in the Flathead deserve a crack at this important opportunity for the future."

The Bonneville Power Administration is proposing to enter into a power sales agreement that would result in a reopening of CFAC by providing power service with the company. The agreement would begin April 1, 2011. Public comment is open until August 31, 2011. Additional details on commenting are available HERE.

Recent timeline:

· June 24, 2011…Senator Baucus wrote to BPA Administrator and CEO Stephen J. Wright and Glencore International urging them to press forward with an agreement and asking them to considering rehiring workers laid off from CFAC. (letter attached)

· May 3, 2011…..Senators Baucus and Tester wrote a letter to Stephen J. Wright, head of BPA reiterating their support for the agreement which would reopen CFAC.