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.

Signs of Progress: Alcoa, Stanly County Near Agreement

There are signs of progress in our ongoing conversations with Stanly County. On Monday, the Stanly County Commissioners reached consensus on an agreement with Alcoa and APGI that will resolve all outstanding issues surrounding our relicensing and related lawsuits and appeals. 

The Stanly County Commissioners will vote on the agreement on May 6 after it is finalized.

"Today is a great day for Stanly Co," Rep. Justin Burr tweeted on Monday. "Stanly Co & Alcoa have settled their differences and will begin working together again for our community."

"We believe this agreement is in the best interests of the citizens of Stanly County," chairman Gene McIntyre said in an interview with WSPC.

"From Alcoa's perspective, we're very pleased with the agreement we've come to today" said Kevin Anton, Alcoa's Chief Sustainability Officer. We'll continue working on that and look forward to further developing the Badin Business Park."

Read a related story in the Stanly News & Press: Stanly County, Alcoa close to deal.

Stanly County Commissioners Reject New Alcoa Settlement Offer

The Stanly County Commissioners today failed to reach an agreement with Alcoa to resolve issues surrounding the Yadkin Project relicensing. The decision follows recent settlement discussions initiated by Stanly County. Alcoa will keep the new offer on the table until midnight on June 28.

“Commissioners Josh Morton and Gene McIntyre asked us to put together a new proposal that specifically addressed water and water infrastructure,” said Kevin Anton, Alcoa’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “We did exactly that with this proposal.” 

Anton added, “The offer we have extended to the Commissioners is valid through June 28, so we are hopeful that the citizens of Stanly County will reach out to the Commissioners and make their views known.”

The deal, which received yes votes by Commissioners Morton and McIntyre, supports the county’s efforts to access more water from the Yadkin Project; provide a $5 million contribution to support water infrastructure projects; and also include a $2.5 million payment to be dispersed over the next 10 years. In addition, Alcoa is committing to the continued implementation of a series of environmental measures to improve water quality, and both sides would drop current lawsuits. 

“We believe that Alcoa is the best operator for the Yadkin Project, and we will continue our efforts to renew our license,” Anton said. “We would like to thank Representative Justin Burr for his efforts to help mediate a settlement between the two parties. Despite today's vote, we believe our differences can be resolved through continued open and honest dialogue.”

Alcoa began the relicensing process in 2002, working closely with stakeholder organizations to develop a relicensing settlement agreement that includes environmental protections, recreational enhancements and a host of other community benefits. The relicensing benefits will be implemented once Alcoa receives a new federal license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.