Friday, August 7, 2009

NC House rejects government takeover of Alcoa property in decisive vote

A great victory at the North Carolina General Assembly last night. See press release below:

NC House rejects government takeover of Alcoa property in decisive vote

N.C. RALEIGH – The N.C. House voted in overwhelming numbers to reject an unprecedented and costly government takeover of Alcoa’s hydroelectric business along the Yadkin River in central North Carolina. Senate Bill 967, sponsored by Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, failed in a floor vote by a wide margin, 66-39, with bipartisan support.

“Legislators sent a clear message that they do not support the taking of private business. The more they learned about this issue, it became evident that passing this legislation would set a dangerous precedent for North Carolina,” said Gene Ellis, an Alcoa spokesman. “We appreciate the strong support of the N.C. House and remain committed to fighting any future efforts by Gov. Perdue to take our business against our will.”

The bill would have established a state trust with the authority to seize the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project, a privately-owned business that has been generating clean renewable energy in North Carolina since 1915.

Legislators tried to quickly maneuver the bill through the General Assembly this week after the House Water Resources Committee reversed itself and voted the bill out of committee. The bill was heard twice Thursday by the House Public Utilities Committee, which passed the bill at a hastily called afternoon meeting. The bill then bypassed the House Finance Committee and was sent straight to the House floor.

Opponents of a state takeover –including lakefront homeowners, property rights advocates and local officials in Stanly County – expressed serious concerns about the proposed takeover this week. Their concerns included the potential cost to North Carolina taxpayers of $500 million or more; the fundamental violation of Alcoa’s private property rights; and the need to support the federal licensing process and the Relicensing Settlement Agreement that Alcoa reached with stakeholders.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the federal agency that regulates hydroelectric projects in the United States, has all of the information it needs to issue a new long-term license for the Yadkin Project. FERC staff has already recommended issuing a new license to Alcoa.

“We remain eager for a new license and look forward to implementing the many positive benefits included in the Relicensing Settlement Agreement,” Ellis said.

Under the terms of the relicensing agreement, Alcoa will continue to improve water quality in the Yadkin River; allow for increased water withdrawals by local municipalities; better protect the water supply when drought conditions are present; set aside thousands of acres for long-term land protection; create new parks, public swim areas and other recreation opportunities; provide more stable lake levels and a consistent downstream flow of water; and give homeowners more flexibility regarding shoreline development.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2009

The Battle Intensifies: House committee passes takeover bill; Sen. Hartsell maneuvers for quick floor vote

You never know what’s going to happen when you’re at the legislature. And Wednesday was one of the most surreal days I’ve ever experienced.

One week after a N.C. House Committee voted against a government takeover of the Alcoa’s Yadkin Hydroelectric Project, that same committee resurrected the bill and voted 8-7 to support an unprecedented government takeover that could cost North Carolina taxpayers more than $500 million.

The House Water Resources & Infrastructure Committee narrowly approved Senate Bill 967 despite the anticipated cost and strong opposition from lakefront homeowners, property rights advocates and local officials in Stanly County.

Within hours, Sen. Fletcher Hartsell began maneuvering the bill for a quick passage in both chambers. He amended an existing bill (House Bill 1099) to include the essence of SB 967 that creates the Yadkin Trust. The bill passed the Senate and was sent by special delivery to the House for a floor vote that could occur as early as tomorrow, effectively bypassing the House Public Utilities and House Finance committees.

At the same time, SB 967 was referred to the House Public Utilities Commission for a hearing on Thursday at 10am. This essentially gives the bill's supporters two different cracks at passing the Yadkin Trust bill. If SB 967 is defeated in committee, the full House can still pass HB 1099.

“Sen. Hartsell pulled out all the stops today. It looks like he’s willing to do whatever it takes to take away the business we started here in 1915,” said Gene Ellis, a spokesman for Alcoa. “Frankly, we’re stunned that this important legislation is being rammed through the legislature. This is a complex issue with far-reaching implications and it deserves a fair hearing.”

Alcoa will continue fighting to keep the Yadkin Project, which has generated clean, renewable energy in North Carolina for nearly 100 years. It is important to remember that regardless of what happens in the North Carolina legislature, only the federal government can consider a takeover of the Yadkin Project, Ellis said.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has all of the information it needs to issue a new long-term license for the Yadkin Project. FERC staff has already dismissed the possibility of a government takeover and recommended issuing a new license to Alcoa.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

House committee to discuss takeover bill again; Meeting scheduled for Wed at 2pm

One week after voting against Senate Bill 967, the N.C. House Water Resources & Infrastructure Committee will reconsider a government takeover of the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project that could cost North Carolina $500 million or more.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 5 at 2:00 pm in Room 1228 of the Legislative Building.

Please take a moment to call members of the committee and remind them why they should oppose this bill. Here is a list of members:

Rep. Lucy Allen: 919-733-5860, lucy.allen@ncleg.net

Rep. Hugh Blackwell: 919-733-5805, hugh.blackwell@ncleg.net

Rep. Jamie Boles: 919-733-5903, Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net

Rep. Edith Warren: 919-715-3023, edith.warren@ncleg.net

Rep. Pryor Gibson:919-715-3007, pryor.gibson@ncleg.net

Rep. Mitch Gillespie: 919-733-5862, mitchg@ncleg.net

Rep. Bruce Goforth: 919-733-5746, bruce.goforth@ncleg.net

Rep. Carolyn Justice: 919-715-9664, carolyn.justice@ncleg.net

Rep. Kelly Alexander: 919-733-5778, kelly.alexander@ncleg.net

Rep. Grey Mills: 919-733-5741, grey.mills@ncleg.net

Rep. Bill Owens: 919-733-0010, bill.owens@ncleg.net

Rep. Ray Warren: 919-715-8361, ray.warren@ncleg.net

Rep. Ruth Samuelson: 919-715-3009, ruth.samuelson@ncleg.net

Rep. Cullie Tarleton, Chair: 919-733-7727, cullie.tarleton@ncleg.net

Rep. Alice Underhill: 919-733-5853, alice.underhill@ncleg.net