Energy costs main factor in closure of division at Butte company

High energy costs are forcing a company in Butte to phase out a division of its business, and a vice president said this week a minimal number of employees — paid more than $100,000 on average — could be affected but did not have a precise count.

Earlier this year, REC Silicon announced it would shutter its polysilicon production in Butte because of the rising cost of electricity in the region. It buys energy on the open market.

The company produces materials for the solar and electronics industries worldwide.

By: Keila Szpaller