New Energy Capital FERC Motion Rejected

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has denied the request by New Energy Capital Partners to intervene into the relicensing of the Yadkin Project. 

The FERC order, filed on May 30, 2013, states that: "New Energy has not demonstrated good cause for late intervention. The events identified by New Energy are not sufficient to show good cause why the deadline should be waived, particularly where, as here, the motion is filed six years after the deadline.”

"New Energy has failed to meet the good cause standard for granting late interventions, and therefore, its motion for late intervention is denied."

You can read the entire FERC order online at: http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/common/OpenNat.asp?fileID=13268860

Click here to read the Charlotte Observer story, "Feds deny late entry into Alcoa hydro relicensing."

ERI Celebrates One Year at New Badin Business Park Facility

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation’s largest recycler of electronic waste, is celebrating the first anniversary of operating at its new facility at Badin Business Park this week.

“Badin has proven to be an ideal location for our recycling operations in the Southeast,” said John Shegerian, ERI Chairman and CEO. “We are establishing a state-of-the-art facility here that will allow us to continue expanding our operations as the market for electronics waste grows.”

Since moving into the new, larger facility in May 2012, ERI has increased its recycling volume and grown its workforce. The company currently operates two shifts and employs more than 65 people.

Alcoa made a strategic investment in ERI and helped convince the company to open its first Southeast location in North Carolina in July 2011 at the Badin Business Park location. ERI initially operated in a temporary facility at the site, while ERI and Alcoa invested $10 million to renovate a 165,000-square foot facility to accommodate ERI's long-term needs.

“When we set out to develop the Badin Business Park, we couldn’t have asked for a better partner than ERI. They are committed to this community and play a vital role in the recycling industry,” said Kevin Anton, Alcoa’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “The Badin Business Park holds tremendous potential and we look forward to bringing more companies like ERI here.” 

ERI works with retailers, manufacturers, Fortune 500 companies, government entities,  educational institutions and charitable organizations to recycle electronic waste, including laptop computers, cell phones, televisions, printers and other electronics. Some of its notable customers include Best Buy, Samsung, the Salvation Army and the U.S. Government.

About Electronic Recyclers International Inc: Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation’s largest privately held recycler of electronic waste, is R2 and e-Stewards certified to de-manufacture and recycle every type of electronic waste in an environmentally friendly manner. ERI processes more than 200 million pounds of electronic waste annually at seven locations in seven states. For more information about e-waste recycling and ERI, call 1-800-884-8466 or visit www.electronicrecyclers.com.

About Badin Business Park: Badin Business Park, developed by Alcoa, includes 600,000 square feet of prime industrial space in Stanly County, NC. The 123-acre business park is located at the site of the former Alcoa aluminum smelting plant. Alcoa has invested more than $15 million to redevelop the former plant site into a business park for manufacturing companies. Electronic Recyclers International, the nation's largest recycler of electronic waste, is the park’s inaugural tenant.

Study: PCBs in Yadkin are a watershed issue

The NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources held a meeting at Morrow Mountain State Park on Monday to discuss the results of a study of PCBs in the Yadkin River.

We appreciate the state’s efforts to further study PCBs along the Yadkin River. Here’s a quick recap of the study’s findings:

•       The fish in the Yadkin River are like the fish everywhere.

The fact that the state found PCBs in fish is not surprising — the EPA has found the same thing in nearly every river, lake and stream it has studied.

•       The sediment is safe.
State health officials collected and analyzed 31 sediment samples along the Yadkin River over a two-year period. Low levels of PCBs were detected in two sediment samples, but the levels do not pose any risk to human health or the environment or warrant any action. 

•       Eating fish has proven health benefits, but limit consumption of catfish.
State health officials analyzed 104 fish caught in three reservoirs (High Rock, Falls and Lake Tillery) along the Yadkin River. The study found slightly elevated levels of PCBs in nine samples, each of which were catfish that were 18” or larger. (Older and larger fish tend to have higher levels of PCBs, in general.) 

•       No new fish advisory.
There is a statewide advisory already in place for mercury that recommends limiting consumption of catfish from all North Carolina lakes. Following that advisory is fully protective according to the state.  

The Yadkin study found PCBs in fish located well upstream and downstream of Alcoa’s former smelting plant in Badin. That further demonstrates that this is not an “Alcoa issue,” but an issue that impacts the entire Yadkin watershed.

Click here to view a presentation from the Division of Public Health: 
http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/oee/hace/docs/YadkinPeeDeeFishPCBs.pdf

Public Hearing Scheduled for Tuesday, May 14

The NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued the following notice today about a public hearing on our water quality certification request. 

Public hearing scheduled for May 14 on Alcoa water quality certification request

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Water Quality will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. May 14 to gather public comments concerning Alcoa Power Generating Inc.’s application for a state water quality certification as required by the federal Clean Water Act and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing process.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, hydropower licensing process works to ensure that projects will minimize damage to the environment through the certification requirements of state water quality agencies.

If the FERC license were approved, it would allow Alcoa to continue operation of the hydroelectric dams at High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows and Falls reservoirs on the Yadkin River. This run of the river crosses Davie, Davidson, Rowan, Montgomery and Stanly counties.

The hearing will begin at 7 p.m. in the Stanly County Commissioners Meeting Room, 1000 North First St., Albemarle. Speaker registration and sign-in will begin at 6 p.m.

The purpose of the hearing is to allow the public to comment on the company’s application submitted in September 2012 and additional information submitted thereafter. The application and supporting documents can be found online at: http://its.enr.state.nc.us/Weblink8/Browse.aspx?startid=169386.

The application may also be inspected at the DWQ central offices in the Archdale Building, 512 North Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27604. To schedule an appointment to review the file, please contact Karen Higgins atkaren.higgins@ncdenr.gov or 919-807-6360.

The public is invited to comment on the application by speaking at the hearing, by submitting written comments at the hearing or by mailing them to the division. Please send comments to Karen Higgins at the above email address or to: Karen Higgins, DWQ, 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1650. The comment period ends at 5 p.m. June 13.

Name the Alcoa Osprey Chicks at Badin Lake

Alcoa launched an online contest on today that allows fans of its OspreyCam to choose names for three osprey chicks hatched two weeks ago. The online contest features several names submitted by students at Badin Elementary School.

The Alcoa OspreyCam, a live webcam that follows a pair of osprey at Badin Lake, spotted the eggs in late March and watched until they hatched in late April. Since then, viewers have watched the parents bring fish to the nest and lovingly feed the chicks.

Now it’s time to give the chicks a proper name.

Students at Badin Elementary submitted ideas for the online poll. Some of the suggested names (Ollie, Olive, and Oscar Jr.) are tied to their parents — named Oliver and Oliveea by Alcoa employees at  the dam — while others reflect the traditional role of osprey (Hunter, Fisher) or the attitude these chicks embody (Spirit, Grace).

“The students had a lot of fun suggesting names for the birds. We got some terrific suggestions and are excited about seeing which names are chosen,” said Mark Gross,technical manager for Alcoa Power Generating Inc.

To vote for your favorite set of names, go to www.alcoa.com/ospreycam.

Alcoa OspreyCam: Three baby chicks have arrived

The Alcoa OspreyCam, a live webcam that follows a pair of osprey at Badin Lake, has captured the hatching of three baby chicks. Over the next two months, viewers can watch the parents feed and care for the chicks as they grow and prepare to take flight.

Osprey chicks usually fledge — or leave the nest for their first flight — in late June or early July. The chicks can be seen making practice flights across the nest as they get ready to take flight.

“It’s a great way to see the wonder of nature, right here in our own backyard,” said Mark Gross, technical manager for Alcoa Power Generating Inc. “It’s fascinating to watch these little chicks grow and take flights.”

The OspreyCam can be viewed at www.alcoa.com/ospreycam. Visitors can follow updates through the website and join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #AlcoaOspreyCam.

Naming Contest

Alcoa will launch an online contest on later this week to select names for the trio of Osprey chicks. Students from Badin Elementary School suggested names that will be used in the online vote.

“The students had a lot of fun suggesting names for the birds. We got some terrific suggestions and are excited about seeing which names are chosen,” Gross said.

About the OspreyCam

Alcoa launched the OspreyCam in May 2012 to follow two osprey — named Oliveea and Oscar by Alcoa employees — who return every year to a nest situated atop the Narrows Dam. The OspreyCam has received more than 541,000 hits from 87 countries since it was introduced.

Ospreys are large birds — with a wingspan of 5-6 feet — that resemble bald eagles. The birds live along rivers, lakes and other large bodies of water where they can feed on fish. The open water and large tracts of undeveloped shoreline at the Yadkin Project provide the perfect setting for wildlife such as bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons and great egrets. 

Alcoa and Stanly County Reach Agreement on Yadkin Project Relicensing

The Agreement Is Signed

Stanly County, N.C., and Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) reached an agreement Monday night related to Alcoa’s relicensing efforts of the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project. The Stanly County Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the agreement, which resolves all issues between the County and Alcoa and will provide significant support for infrastructure, economic development and other county needs.

“This agreement provides significant investment in economic development and ensures that Stanly County will have long-term access to clean and affordable water, which is essential to our future growth,” said Stanly County Commission Chairman Gene McIntyre. “We are ready to move forward in a positive direction with Alcoa that will benefit Stanly County residents for years to come.”

“This agreement provides a clear and collaborative path forward that will support our efforts to bring new jobs to the Badin Business Park,” said Kevin Anton, Alcoa’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “This is a positive step for both Alcoa and Stanly County, and we appreciate the support of the County Commissioners and Representative Justin Burr in making this agreement a reality.”

As part of the settlement:

Alcoa will support Stanly County’s request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commision (FERC) for future water withdrawals from the Yadkin River, providing access of up to 30 million gallons of water per day from Alcoa’s reservoirs. Alcoa also agreed to provide 20 acres plus right of way for a potential water treatment plant.

Stanly County will support Alcoa’s application for a new Water Quality Certificate from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) as well as its application for a 50 year FERC license.

The organizations will work in partnership on the recruitment of jobs and economic development to Stanly County and the Badin Business Park.

Alcoa will provide $3 million to Stanly County, $1 million of which will be solely for economic development purposes.  Further, Alcoa will provide $100,000 to Stanly County for each year that the term of the FERC license exceeds 40 years.