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BPA Seals Power Deal with Alcoa Intalco Works Plant by Staff KGMI, December 22, 2009

FERNDALE, Wash. -- It's a done deal. Alcoa and the Bonneville Power Administration have finalized an agreement on power rates.

B.P.A. announced it will allow Alcoa's Intalco Works aluminum smelter near Ferndale to continue operations for at least a year and a half.

B.P.A. administrator Steve Wright asked the employees of the plant if he should sign the contract.

"Wait a second," he asked during Monday's announcement.

"I'm not sure if I can hear you!"

Governor Chris Gregoire was also at the plant on Monday.

"I'm a two-a-day Diet Coke (drinker)," Gregoire said.

"I won't drink it out of a bottle, I won't drink it out of a plastic bottle, I only drink it out of an aluminum can!"

The deal guarantees enough electricity for Alcoa to operate two pot lines at Intalco.

The pact could be extended to five years if the courts agree with the approach B.P.A. is taking.

"We're going to see our way through the toughest economic times since the Great Depression," Gregoire told the workers,

"And we're going to do it because of the spirit that each and every one of you has shown here."

More than 500 people work at the smelter.

AUDIO: KGMI Morning News Extra segment with Intalco plant manager Mike Russo