Gov. Gregoire�s statement on BPA-Alcoa agreement

For Immediate Release: December 21, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the contractual agreement reached between the Bonneville Power Administration and Alcoa which will keep the Intalco aluminum smelter operating in Whatcom County:

�I congratulate the Bonneville Power Administration and Alcoa for reaching this important agreement to keep the Intalco aluminum smelter operating. This agreement supports more than 500 living-wage jobs in the Ferndale area, jobs that are essential to our ability to make it through and recover from this recession.

�It took a true team effort to reach this agreement, and I�m proud to have played a part. I thank our congressional delegation, especially Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell and Representative Larsen, as well as U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman and BPA Administrator Steve Wright for their work to make this agreement happen. During these tough economic times, this is a great example of how all levels of government and industry can work together to help our businesses succeed and keep people employed.�