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Alcoa Power Generating, Inc. is a subsidiary of Alcoa Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its three divisions were independent subsidiaries before being consolidated into Alcoa Power Generating, Inc. (APGI). These three projects have produced hydroelectric power and manage impoundments which also provide flood control; recreation, residential and business opportunities; and wildlife habitat.^[1]

Yadkin Project

The APGI Yadkin Project managed a 38-mile section of the Yadkin River, plus tributaries, in Piedmont North Carolina and included four dams, powerhouses and reservoirs, sold in February 2017 to Cube Hydro Carolinas.^[2]^[3] The counties of Davie, Davidson, Rowan, Stanly, and Montgomery border the Yadkin Project river and lakes. The dams owned and operated by APGI were the Narrows dam (completed in 1917), the Falls dam (completed in 1919), the High Rock dam (completed in 1927), and the Tuckertown dam (completed in 1962). The Narrows dam and powerhouse development is the only hydroelectric project listed on the National Register of Historic Places in North Carolina. The other three dam and powerhouse developments have been determined eligible for listing on the National Register.^[4]

History

At the Narrows, the Yadkin River flowed through a deep gorge for three and a half miles within the Uwharrie Mountains. Its potential for industrial development had long been recognized. In 1887, E.B.C. Hambley, a mining expert from England, came to Salisbury, North Carolina. He gained the backing of Pittsburgh industrialist George I. Whitney. Between 1899 and 1901, Whitney organized eight subsidiary companies and employed Hambley as his chief engineer. About a mile upriver from the Narrows, the Whitney Development Company nearly completed the granite Whitney Dam and a five-mile long diversion canal, and began construction of a powerhouse at Palmer Mountain before the company declared bankruptcy in 1907 and all work ceased. The massive canal remains today, while the Whitney Dam lies beneath the waters of Badin Lake. They have been determined eligible to be listed on the National Register.^[4]

In 1912, a French Company, L’Aluminium Français, acquired the assets of the Whitney Company. L'Aluminium Français decided against completing the Whitney project, and organized the Southern Aluminum Company to construct a 200-foot 61 m high dam and powerhouse at the Narrows to power an aluminum plant which it would also build. West of the proposed smelter, the worker’s village of Badin was planned and platted. The town was named in honor of the Southern Aluminum Company’s president, Adrien Badin. The project faltered a second time as most of the French engineers returned to France during World War I.^[4]

In 1915, the Aluminum Company of America purchased the property. Plans once again were altered. The dam was redesigned and the new plans called for a brick powerhouse to be built on the east side of the river. The original powerhouse site on the west side of the river was abandoned and the partially completed building was dismantled to its concrete foundations. The original smelter site was also abandoned and a new smelter building was designed west of the Badin townsite. A devastating flood in 1916 caused damage and delays. When completed in 1917, the 185-foot (56 m) Narrows Dam was the world’s highest overflow type dam. The Narrows Reservoir, commonly called Badin Lake, reaches a depth of 190 feet (58 m) and occupies 5,350 acres (2,170 ha).^[4]

To generate additional hydroelectric power, in 1919, the company constructed Falls Dam downriver of Badin and High Rock Dam upriver in 1927. High Rock Lake, at 15,180 acres (6,140 ha), was the largest lake on the Yadkin at that time. In 1929, the company's name was changed to Alcoa. In 1962, Alcoa built the Tuckertown Dam between High Rock and Narrows Reservoirs.^[4]

In August 2002, Alcoa temporarily suspended aluminum production at the Badin Works, laying off 377 workers.^[5] The electrode plant continued operating until 2007 when the plant shut down permanently.^[6] The dams continue to generate 215 megawatts of electricity annually which the company sells.^[7] During calendar years 2008, 2009, and 2010, the Yadkin Project generated an average of $7.73 million annually in net income, on an average of $29.46 million in annual revenues.^[8] In the year ending September 2013, APGI sold 964,216 megawatt hours, with revenue estimated at $30 million.^[9]

On July 11, 2016, Cube Hydro Carolinas, part of Cube Hydro Partners LLC, announced its purchase of the APGI power plants on the Yadkin River. Cube Hydro intends to improve the plants.^[10] APGI would still own 15,000 acres (6,100 ha) of land.^[11] On December 13, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the license transfer to Cube Yadkin Generation.^[12] The sale became official February 2, 2017.^[3]

Site redevelopment

In January 2011, Alcoa announced its commitment to spend $10 million to prepare the Badin Works site for redevelopment by demolishing buildings which would not be needed and making improvements to the facility.^[13] On May 23, 2011, Electronic Recyclers International, a recycler of electronic items such as computers and cell phones, announced plans to spend $5 million on a 165,000-square-foot (15,300 m²) building. APGI will also spend $5 million. 535,000 square feet (49,700 m²) of available space remains on the site.^[14] Clean Tech Silicon and Bar LLC also wanted to invest $300 million and create 450 direct and indirect jobs. However, negotiations between Clean Tech, APGI, and Stanly County Commissioners were not able to reach an agreement, and Clean Tech withdrew its offer.^[15]

In 2016, after APGI sold its power plants, the company said it will continue to market Badin Business Park.^[10]

Yadkin Project relicensing process

General information

A 50-year federal license to operate the dams on the Yadkin River was granted in 1958 to the Carolina Aluminum Company, a part of Alcoa, which owned the power plants and the land under the lakes, as well as significant land holdings around the lakes. The license was transferred from Yadkin, Inc. (an Alcoa subsidiary) to APGI in 2000.^[16]^[17]^[18] In 2002, APGI began an extensive relicensing process^[19] with four series of local public hearings held throughout the project area,^[19]^[20]^[21]^[22] and 100 representatives of over 30 stakeholder groups from federal, state, and local governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations participating in Issue Advisory Groups and a lengthy settlement negotiation process.^[23] APGI commissioned 22 technical studies on the impact of the project in environmental, economic, recreation, and cultural areas.^[24] On May 7, 2007, APGI submitted a Relicensing Settlement Agreement which promised many benefits to the project area, signed by 23 stakeholders, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).^[25]

In January 2007, the Stanly County Commissioners announced they would oppose APGI's relicensing because they were worried the company wouldn’t be forced to clean up environmental problems remaining at the site and in the Yadkin, and because granting the license to another entity,^[26] which would use the hydro-electricity created by the Yadkin River to create jobs, would better serve the public interest.^[27] In 2008, North Carolina governor Mike Easley authorized a study of the effect of APGI's relicensing. APGI supported this study, whose findings have not been issued.^[28]

In April 2008, FERC issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Yadkin Project, concluding that federal takeover would not be a reasonable alternative for the project, and noting that no federal agency had suggested that federal takeover would be appropriate, or had expressed an interest in operating the project.^[29]^[30] However, due to questions involving Alcoa's state water quality certificate,^[31] FERC has not made a final determination on the issuance of a license, and APGI has been operating under a temporary license.^[32]

In April 2009, North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue issued a statement opposing APGI's relicensing and supporting legislation to establish a public trust to hold the license to use the Yadkin to generate hydro-electricity..^[33] With bipartisan support the N.C. Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation to establish the "public trust", but Alcoa supporters defeated the bill in the N.C. House.^[34]^[35]

A year later Republican Senator Fletcher Hartsell, again supporting establishing a "public trust", introduced a bill to create the Uwharrie Regional Commission.^[36]

In the final days of the 2010 legislative session, UNC-TV anchorwoman Eszter Vajda produced a documentary ("The Alcoa Story") about Alcoa’s operations in North Carolina.^[37] However, before the program aired Ms. Vajda expressed concerns to legislators that, because criticizing a powerful corporation like Alcoa would be controversial, executives at UNC-TV might refuse to air her documentary.^[38] Subsequently, a Senate committee subpoenaed Vajda's documentary, sparking a debate over whether UNC-TV (which is owned by state government), was subject to 'public records' laws or whether it had a 'special exemption.'. ^[37] The documentary was aired in the Senate Committee and then broadcast on UNC-TV (with a credit stating it was broadcast "without the usual editorial scrutiny").^[39]

After the documentary – focusing on Alcoa's environmental records – was broadcast both the House and Senate passed Senator Hartsell's legislation to establish the Uwharrie Regional Commission.^[40]

Later when additional public records were released by UNC-TV revealed that an independent researcher working on the story for Vajda accepted $3,000 from a supporter of establishing the public trust and after learning Ms. Vajda had told legislators about her concerns UNC-TV might balk at airing her film, UNC-TV terminated Vajda’s employment.^[41] It also removed online footage of her documentary.^[42]

Celebrity activist Erin Brockovich spoke for supporters of the Yadkin River Trust at a news conference in Raleigh, North Carolina.^[43]^[44] Later in the day, the Yadkin Riverkeeper sponsored her appearance at Wake Forest University.^[45]^[46]

The debate over Alcoa's relicensing and the establishment of a public trust has been contentious. In addition to the Relicensing Settlement Agreement signatories, APGI has gained the support, principally, of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition (which in June 2010 broadcast radio spots calling 'recapturing' Alcoa's license to control the Yadkin River a government takeover of private property); Rick Miller, President of the National Hydropower Association^[47] and a local newspaper editorial board.^[48]^[49]^[50]^[51] According to a poll paid for by APGI and done by McLaughlin & Associates, North Carolina's citizens are predominantly against the state taking over the project.^[52]

Stanly County was supported by Governor Beverly Perdue and her Commerce Secretary (a former president of the Stanly-County-initiated N. C. Water Rights Coalition),^[53] the Yadkin Riverkeeper, a number of elected officials and the NC Water Rights Commission which has aired internet videos about Alcoa's environmental record and rebutting Alcoa's property rights claims.^[54] Also supporting the public power agency is the nonprofit organization Central Park NC.^[55]

In 2013, Stanly County agreed to support Alcoa's license renewal.^[56]

On July 29, 2013, the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources recommended approval for relicensing. However,^[57] on August 2, the state filed a lawsuit claiming Alcoa did not own land under its lakes. The suit also asked that the state be granted rights to the dams. Governor Pat McCrory said, "The Yadkin River is a North Carolina river. We should be able to use it for North Carolina water needs and to create North Carolina jobs. The benefits of the Yadkin River belong to North Carolina's people."^[58] APGI believed it would prevail because of a 2012 United States Supreme Court decision in favor of a Montana power company. Another suit claimed North Carolina had owned the land since it was one of the thirteen original colonies.^[58] APGI lawyers claimed that the state could not use this argument bewcause it had waited too long to do so.^[9]

On April 22, 2015, U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle ruled that the Yadkin River was not navigable at the time of United States independence from Great Britain, meaning that the state of North Carolina would not have ownership of it from that time. This means the riverbed may have been included in land purchases by Alcoa and other companies that preceded it. Alcoa attorneys said the company did own the land and the state did not have a claim. A determination of who owned the riverbed was to be made in a trial.^[59]^[60]

On August 27, while asking attorneys questions that would help him determine whether to dismiss the 2013 lawsuit, Boyle accused North Carolina of acting like "a banana republic" and said the state was merely trying to punish Alcoa for taking away hundreds of jobs.^[61] Boyle dismissed the state lawsuit on September 28, saying the state had seven years to take action and did not do so until Alcoa's use of the property changed to something the state didn't want. The ruling establishes that Alcoa owns the riverbed.^[62] The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling in 2017.^[63]

On September 22, 2016, Alcoa received a license to operate until March 31, 2055, a period 12 years shorter than desired. The license requires a minimum water level and a swimming beach for High Rock Lake. The terms of the license will apply to Cube Hydro Carolinas, which is buying the hydroelectric power operations.^[64]

As part of the relicensing process, 4700 acres, including 76 miles of shoreline on the Yadkin River, are being sold to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the LandTrust for Central North Carolina, on the condition that within five years they raise the $10 to $12 million to buy the land. LandTrust executive director Travis Morehead said 4300 additional acres would be purchased from Alcoa. All 9000 acres were part of the game lands program, and the sale would guarantee that this continues.^[65]

401 Water Quality Certificate

The last remaining FERC requirement for a new Alcoa Yadkin Project license is a Section 401 water quality certificate, and recent opposition to Alcoa's relicensing has centered around it. In November 2007, the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) issued APGI a Section 401 water quality certificate for the Yadkin Project. The certificate was later withdrawn due to the failure of DWQ to publish a required public notice.^[66] APGI reapplied for a water quality certificate, which DWQ issued on May 9, 2009.^[67]^[68]^[69] In part, the certificate required APGI to make upgrades which would improve dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the dam releases. Some upgrades have been made at the Narrows dam, although the complete upgrade program won't be completed until after the issuance of a license. Stanly County filed a legal appeal of the certificate and a court granted a stay of its execution.^[70] In October 2010, as hearings on the appeal took place, the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources reduced the amount of a surety bond required by the 401 water quality certificate from $240 million to $80 million, the amount APGI states will be required to make improvements required in the certificate.^[71]

Then, in the fall of 2010, lawyers for Stanly County and the Yadkin Riverkeeper confronted Alcoa executives with internal Alcoa emails documenting that Alcoa had withheld information and misrepresented facts about its pollution from the Department of Natural and Natural Resources.^[72] When the emails were made public DENR promptly revoked Alcoa’s water quality certificate and, on December 2, 2010, Administrative Law Judge Fred Morrison Jr. suspended hearings.^[73]

On January 28, 2011, APGI released more internal documents and filed an appeal of the certificate revocation, stating “In its revocation notice, the DWQ quotes selected portions of e-mails that do not provide the complete story and were taken out of context. If you read the entire e-mail chains in context, and review the entire record, you find that no material information was withheld.”^[74]^[75] APGI also released a study of dissolved oxygen levels leaving the Narrows and Falls reservoirs, where planned upgrades have been partially implemented. This report, Alcoa claimed, showed that, for the past three years, Falls tailwaters substantially met the state instantaneous dissolved oxygen standard over 99.5% of the time, and that in 2010 Narrows tailwaters met the state instantaneous DO standard 93.4 percent of the time.^[76]^[77] APGI also announced in January 2011 the establishment of an environmental toll-free hotline managed by EthicsPoint.^[78]

In a separate legal case, on May 3, 2011, a Federal Appeals Court in Washington, D.C. ruled against APGI, which had argued the state's actions were improper.^[79]

The state revoked the water quality certificate again in 2013 due to concerns over ownership.^[80]

In May 2015, administrative law judge Selina Brooks ruled that the Division of Water Quality did not have the right to deny a certificate and required a decision by the end of June.^[81]

Most who attended a state Department of Environment and Natural Resources public hearing on July 1, 2015 opposed a new permit, while Yadkin Riverkeeper Will Scott wanted higher standards.^[82]

On September 25, Wake County Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins said the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources wrongly denied a certificate and gave the department a month to grant it.^[83]

On October 23, the state said it approved the certification on the condition Alcoa provide $48 million for improvements.^[84] but on October 28, Special Deputy Attorney General I. Faison Hicks asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to wait for a U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals lawsuit to be settled before making a decision about the 50-year license.^[85]

Tapoco Project

The Tapoco Project (originally Tallassee Power Company) includes four dams in North Carolina and Tennessee, on the Little Tennessee and Cheoah Rivers. The Tapoco Project comprises four developments: Calderwood, Cheoah, Chilhowee, and Santeetlah.^[86] The dams supplied power to Alcoa's operations in Alcoa, Tennessee, an aluminum smelting and rolling mill.^[87] TVA assists Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower in determining the daily operation levels of the Tapoco developments to best match expected flow releases from Fontana Dam, since TVA's Fontana Dam serves as the primary flow control facility for the lower Little Tennessee River area.^[88] Combined, the four developments have a licensed capacity of 380.1 megawatts.^[86]

Around 1910, Aluminum Company of America began looking at locations to produce hydroelectric power for making aluminum. The company purchased Knoxville Power Company, chartered in 1900. At the end of 1913, Aluminum Company of America bought Tallassee Power Company (chartered in 1905), Western Carolina Power and Transportation, Union Development Company, and Union Power and Water Company. All of these companies became part of Tallassee Power Company. From the first two letters of each word came the name Tapoco, given first to the community and then to the company. The aluminum smelter first began operation in 1913.

World War I increased the need for aluminum, and Southern Railway completed a railroad extension to the planned Cheoah Dam in 1916. The Cheoah Dam began operation in 1919.

Construction of Santeetlah Dam began in 1926, with the Rhymer's Ferry powerhouse starting operation in 1928. Calderwood Dam was completed in 1930.^[89] Chilhowee Dam was the last completed, in 1957.^[90] The North Plant fabricating facility opened in 1942 to help meet the aluminum needs for World War II.

The company received its federal license to operate these dams in 1955 but was unable to renew until it resolved concerns over flooding in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a result of the Chilhowee Dam. The Tapoco Project and Licensing Act of 2004 corrected the problem by trading land, with 6,000 acres (24 km²) going to the park and about 10,000 acres (40 km²) of Alcoa land receiving a conservation easement.^[91] A 40-year license was granted January 25, 2005,^[86] but smelter production ended in 2009, and in 2012 the company sold its dams.^[9] Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners of Canada paid $600 million for the four dams, 86 miles of transmission lines, and 14,500 acres in 2012. Tapoco-APGI became Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower on November 15 of that year.^[9]^[92]^[86]^[93]

The Cheoah Dam is also the dam used in the movie The Fugitive where Harrison Ford's character jumps to escape.^[94]

Long Sault Project

Pittsburgh Reduction company, which became Alcoa, started the Massena operation in 1902 because of significant capacity for hydroelectric power; it holds the record for longest continuous operation of an aluminum facility. Power comes from the New York Power Authority (NYPA). Alcoa's Long Sault Division owns and operates the five 115 kV transmission lines that connect NYPA to Hydro-Québec, which originally connected NYPA to the St. Lawrence Franklin D. Roosevelt project. Alcoa pays Cedar Rapids Transmission Company (part of Hydro-Québec) to operate two of the lines.^[95]^[96]

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^ Vaporean, Carole (May 9, 2008). "Alcoa's APGI withdraws Yadkin water application". Reuters. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
^ "Announcement of Water Quality Certification with Conditions issued to Alcoa, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, May 9, 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 16, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Water Quality Certification with Additional Conditions, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, May 9, 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Hearing Officer Report, Public Hearing for Alcoa 401 Water Quality Certification for FERC Relicense, May 6, 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Betts, Jack (May 28, 1009). "Stay should halt Alcoa license process, Stanly County says". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
^ Fain, Travis (October 29, 2010). "Alcoa bond dropped to $80M". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
^ http://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/news/201105/court-sides-nc-over-alcoa-certification
^ Fain, Travis (December 3, 2010). "Alcoa lawyers study options after loss of certificate". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
^ Dalesio, Emery P. (January 29, 2011). "Alcoa appeals, says it didn't withhold info". Salisbury Post. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
^ "401 Appeal Summary". Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Alcoa says water quality improving". The Salisbury Post. January 21, 2011. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "2010 Tailwaters Dissolved Oxygen Report, Yadkin Project FERC Project No. 2197" (PDF). Retrieved March 7, 2011.
^ "Alcoa offers hotline". Stanly News and Press. January 17, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "Court sides with NC over Alcoa certification". The Salisbury Post. May 5, 2011. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Elkins, Ken (August 5, 2013). "NC also denies Alcoa water certificate for Yadkin Project, hampering federal relicensing effort". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
^ Bergeron, Josh (June 2, 2015). "Judge rules in favor of Alcoa, state must act in 30 days". Salisbury Post. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
^ Bergeron, Josh (July 2, 2015). "Residents oppose Alcoa's Badin Works permit". Salisbury Post. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
^ Bergeron, Josh (September 29, 2015). "Judge sides with Alcoa in NC lawsuit". The Salisbury Post. p. 1A.
^ "NC issues Alcoa key certification needed for dams license". Winston-Salem Journal. Associated Press. October 23, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ Bergeron, Josh (October 29, 2015). "State asks feds not to rule on Alcoa's relicensing". The Salisbury Post. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Overview". Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Alcoa Receives Outstanding Stewardship of America's Rivers Award by U.S. Hydropower Organization; Alcoa Balances River Protection and Power Production". Business Wire. April 3, 2006. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
^ "Cheoah". Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
^ Barrett, J.S. "History of Tapoco". Archived from the original on February 26, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "ALCOA to repair Chilhowee Dam; reservoir drawdown starts Sept. 2". The Daily Times. August 22, 2008. Retrieved January 14, 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "Tapoco Hydroelectric Project". Cooperative Conservation America. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Tapoco Hydroelectric Project Divestiture". Retrieved November 11, 2013.
^ Norris, Robert (November 15, 2012). "ALCOA closes dam sale: Tapoco now Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower". The Daily Times. Maryville, Tennessee. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
^ "Far Western Nature Tour". Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
^ "Alcoa Energy: About Alcoa Energy: APGI OASIS: APGI Long Sault OASIS". Retrieved October 29, 2009.
^ "Alcoa Massena Operations: About Alcoa Massena Operations: Facts". Retrieved October 29, 2009.

External links

[history-1] "Alcoa Power Generating Inc., Yadkin Division: About: Alcoa-Yadkin History". Archived from the original on November 11, 2009. Retrieved October 29, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[2] "Alcoa Power Generating Inc. License Application Exhibit A Project Description" (PDF). Retrieved March 8, 2011.

[Cube2017-3] Bergeron, Josh (February 2, 2017). "Sale finalized for Yadkin River Dams". Salisbury Post. Retrieved February 2, 2017.

[Thomason-4] Thomason and Associates, National Register of Historic Places Eligibility Study of the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project in North Carolina, July 2004.

[5] Craver, Richard (August 1, 2002). "Alcoa's Plan to Close Badin, N.C., Aluminum Plant Will Idle 377 Workers". High Point Enterprise. Retrieved November 5, 2009.

[about_badin-6] "About Badin Works". Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[hydropower-7] "The Value of Hydropower". Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[8] Price Waterhouse Coopers (March 2, 2011). "Yadkin Power Generation Combined Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008" (PDF). Retrieved March 6, 2011.

[Power-9] "Power sales from Alcoa's dams rise to $30M". Winston-Salem Journal. The Associated Press. October 25, 2013.

[Cube-10] "Cube Hydro will buy Yadkin River power plants, including High Rock dam, from Alcoa". Salisbury Post. July 11, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.

[Rolfe-11] Rolfe, David (July 13, 2016). "Alcoa sells NC river dams to Maryland clean-power company". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved July 13, 2016.^{[permanent dead link]}

[12] Bergeron, Josh (December 14, 2016). "Operating license for Yadkin dams transferred to buyer Cube Hydro". Salisbury Post. Retrieved December 15, 2016.

[Minn-13] Minn, Karissa (January 17, 2011). "Alcoa seeks options for Badin Works". The Salisbury Post. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[14] Elder, Renee (May 23, 2011). "Badin new southeast site for electronics recycling". Associated Press. Retrieved May 23, 2011.^{[permanent dead link]}

[15] Minn, Karissa (November 22, 2011). "Clean Tech gives deadline to Stanly". Salisbury Post. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[16] Wineka, Mark (October 15, 1999). "Yadkin Inc. starts regular draw down of High Rock Lake". Salisbury Post. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[17] "The State of North Carolina's 21st Century Plan for the Use of The Yadkin River Resources: Volume 1" (PDF). September 8, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 21, 2009. Retrieved January 14, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[timeline-18] "Relicensing Timeline". Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[hearings-19] "Alcoa plans public hearings". Salisbury Post. October 31, 2002. Retrieved April 3, 2010.

[20] Wineka, Mark (June 23, 2004). "Alcoa to update public on Yadkin Project". Salisbury Post. Retrieved April 3, 2010.

[21] "Alcoa relicensing hearings tonight and Wednesday". Salisbury Post. January 27, 2007. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[22] "DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Project No. 2197–073; Project No. 2206–030) Alcoa Power Generating, Inc., North Carolina; Progress Energy Carolinas, North Carolina; Notice of Public Meetings on Draft Environmental Impact Statement" (PDF). Federal Register Vol. 72, No. 207. October 26, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2011.

[23] "Relicensing Facts". Retrieved March 6, 2011.

[studies-24] "Relicensing Studies". Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[relicensing_settlement-25] "Relicensing Settlement Agreement". Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[26] Elkins, Ken (August 3, 2009). "Fight over Alcoa Power control of Yadkin River nears an end?".

[27] "DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Project No. 2197–073; Project No. 2206–030) Alcoa Power Generating, Inc., North Carolina; Progress Energy Carolinas, North Carolina; Notice of Public Meetings on Draft Environmental Impact Statement". Federal Register Vol. 72, No. 207. October 26, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2011

[28] "State drops Alcoa move". Winston-Salem Journal. July 17, 2008. Retrieved April 3, 2010.^{[permanent dead link]}

[eis-29] "Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Yadkin and Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Projects, Nos. 2197–073 and 2206-030 (FERC)". Retrieved April 3, 2010.

[feis-30] "Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Yadkin and Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Nos. 2197–073 and 2206-030" (PDF). Retrieved March 7, 2011.

[31] ttp://www.mmipublicrelations.com/news/entry/alcoa-overwhelming-opposed-at-n.c.-division-of-water-quality-hearing/

[Fortune-32] Otterbourg, Ken (November 30, 2010). "Alcoa and the great North Carolina power grab". Fortune. Archived from the original on March 5, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[33] Hewlett, Michael (April 2, 2009). "Perdue opposes new license for Alcoa". Winston-Salem Journal.

[34] Lisk, Jim (January 5, 2010). "War for Yadkin Project heats up". Stanly News and Press. Retrieved September 29, 2011.^{[permanent dead link]}

[35] Betts, Jack (August 7, 2009). "Yadkin River Trust bill defeated". charlotteobserver.com. Retrieved September 29, 2011.

[36] "N.C. Water Rights Praises General Assembly For Establishing The Uwharrie Regional Resources Commission". dBusinessNews. July 26, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2011.

[Betts-37] Betts, Jack (July 13, 2010). "Legislators overstep and UNC bows low". News & Observer. Retrieved March 6, 2011.

[38] ttp://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/subpoena-sitcom-unc-tv-caves-in/Content?oid=1533884

[39] Bonner, Lynn (August 18, 2010). "Basnight swayed UNC-TV decisions". News & Observer. Archived from the original on August 19, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[40] ttp://www.nelsonmullins.com/newsletters/weekly-legislative-update-71210

[41] Bonner, Lynn (August 14, 2010). "Alcoa foe paid worker on TV story". News & Observer. Retrieved March 6, 2011.

[42] Barber, Keith (August 25, 2010). "Revisiting the Eszter Vajda case". Yes! Weekly. Retrieved March 6, 2011.

[43] Henderson, Rick (June 29, 2010). "At Raleigh event, Brockovich vague on Alcoa dam controversy". Carolina Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2011.

[44] Norfleet, Nicole (June 29, 2010). "Erin Brockovich worries about NC river pollution". Business Week. Retrieved July 2, 2010.

[45] Barber, Keith T. (July 7, 2010). "Erin Brockovich lends celebrity profile to Alcoa controversy". Yes Weekly. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

[Brockovich-46] Minn, Karissa (June 30, 2010). "Erin Brockovich speaks for Riverkeeper". Salisbury Post. Archived from the original on July 3, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[47] Miller, Rick (May 22, 2009). "No need to open the floodgates". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

[48] "Editorial: Don't create a dam mess". Salisbury Post. April 8, 2008. Archived from the original on November 9, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[49] "Editorial: N.C. and Alcoa: Takeover is anti-business". Salisbury Post. April 21, 2009. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[50] "Editorial: Opposition is on the rise for new license for Alcoa". The Dispatch (Lexington, NC). April 22, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2010.

[51] "Editorial" (PDF). High Point Enterprise. April 6, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2010.

[52] "North Carolina Voters Strongly Oppose State Takeover of Hydro Project in Central North Carolina". Vertical News. July 14, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2010.

[53] "Governor Questions Yadkin Permit". iStockAnalyst (from the Charlotte Observer). February 25, 2009. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[54] Elkins, Ken (August 3, 2009). "Fight over Alcoa Power control of Yadkin River nears an end?". Carolina Business Journal. Retrieved March 8, 2011.

[55] "Alcoa's Yadkin project could be affected by talk of public agency for water power". The Salisbury Post. The Associated Press. February 27, 2012. Archived from the original on August 16, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[56] Barnes, Jenna (May 6, 2013). "Stanly County Commissioners, Alcoa reach agreement for license application". News 14 Carolina. Archived from the original on July 27, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[57] Dalesio, Emery P. (August 6, 2013). "Official urged Alcoa approval". The Post and Courier. Associated Press. Retrieved August 6, 2013.

[NC-58] "N.C. challenges Alcoa's property rights for dams". Winston-Salem Journal. The Associated Press. August 3, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2013.

[59] "Judge peers to US independence as NC fights Alcoa dams title". Winston-Salem Journal. Associated Press. April 21, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2015.^{[permanent dead link]}

[60] "Riverbed rights next in Alcoa dams fight". Winston-Salem Journal. Associated Press. April 22, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.

[61] Dalesio, Emery P. (August 27, 2015). "US judge weighs dumping case over Alcoa dams riverbed rights". Salisbury Post. Associated Press.

[62] "Alcoa Wins Court Fight". Salisbury Post. September 30, 2015. p. 1A.

[63] Dalesio, Emery P. (April 5, 2017). "NC claim to Yadkin riverbed rejected". Salisbury Post. Associated Press.

[64] Bergeron, Josh (September 23, 2016). "Alcoa receives long-term federal license for Yadkin dams". Salisbury Post. Retrieved September 23, 2015.

[65] Killenberg, Sam (June 5, 2017). "NC conservationists get first dibs on Alcoa land". News & Observer. Retrieved June 5, 2017.

[66] Vaporean, Carole (May 9, 2008). "Alcoa's APGI withdraws Yadkin water application". Reuters. Retrieved April 3, 2010.

[401_cert_announce-67] "Announcement of Water Quality Certification with Conditions issued to Alcoa, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, May 9, 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 16, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[401_complete_cert-68] "Water Quality Certification with Additional Conditions, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, May 9, 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[401cert-69] "Hearing Officer Report, Public Hearing for Alcoa 401 Water Quality Certification for FERC Relicense, May 6, 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[70] Betts, Jack (May 28, 1009). "Stay should halt Alcoa license process, Stanly County says". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved March 6, 2011.

[Fain-71] Fain, Travis (October 29, 2010). "Alcoa bond dropped to $80M". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved October 29, 2010.

[72] ttp://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/news/201105/court-sides-nc-over-alcoa-certification

[73] Fain, Travis (December 3, 2010). "Alcoa lawyers study options after loss of certificate". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved December 3, 2010.

[74] Dalesio, Emery P. (January 29, 2011). "Alcoa appeals, says it didn't withhold info". Salisbury Post. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2011.

[certrevappeal-75] "401 Appeal Summary". Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[76] "Alcoa says water quality improving". The Salisbury Post. January 21, 2011. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[2010_DO_report-77] "2010 Tailwaters Dissolved Oxygen Report, Yadkin Project FERC Project No. 2197" (PDF). Retrieved March 7, 2011.

[78] "Alcoa offers hotline". Stanly News and Press. January 17, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011.^{[permanent dead link]}

[79] "Court sides with NC over Alcoa certification". The Salisbury Post. May 5, 2011. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[80] Elkins, Ken (August 5, 2013). "NC also denies Alcoa water certificate for Yadkin Project, hampering federal relicensing effort". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved November 11, 2013.

[81] Bergeron, Josh (June 2, 2015). "Judge rules in favor of Alcoa, state must act in 30 days". Salisbury Post. Retrieved July 2, 2015.

[82] Bergeron, Josh (July 2, 2015). "Residents oppose Alcoa's Badin Works permit". Salisbury Post. Retrieved July 2, 2015.

[83] Bergeron, Josh (September 29, 2015). "Judge sides with Alcoa in NC lawsuit". The Salisbury Post. p. 1A.

[84] "NC issues Alcoa key certification needed for dams license". Winston-Salem Journal. Associated Press. October 23, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.^{[permanent dead link]}

[85] Bergeron, Josh (October 29, 2015). "State asks feds not to rule on Alcoa's relicensing". The Salisbury Post. Retrieved October 29, 2015.

[tapoco-86] "Overview". Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[87] "Alcoa Receives Outstanding Stewardship of America's Rivers Award by U.S. Hydropower Organization; Alcoa Balances River Protection and Power Production". Business Wire. April 3, 2006. Retrieved November 5, 2009.

[Cheoah-88] "Cheoah". Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower. Retrieved November 11, 2013.

[89] Barrett, J.S. "History of Tapoco". Archived from the original on February 26, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[90] "ALCOA to repair Chilhowee Dam; reservoir drawdown starts Sept. 2". The Daily Times. August 22, 2008. Retrieved January 14, 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)^{[permanent dead link]}

[91] "Tapoco Hydroelectric Project". Cooperative Conservation America. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[92] "Tapoco Hydroelectric Project Divestiture". Retrieved November 11, 2013.

[93] Norris, Robert (November 15, 2012). "ALCOA closes dam sale: Tapoco now Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower". The Daily Times. Maryville, Tennessee. Retrieved November 21, 2013.

[94] "Far Western Nature Tour". Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Retrieved November 11, 2013.

[95] "Alcoa Energy: About Alcoa Energy: APGI OASIS: APGI Long Sault OASIS". Retrieved October 29, 2009.

[96] "Alcoa Massena Operations: About Alcoa Massena Operations: Facts". Retrieved October 29, 2009.

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@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 In August 2002, Alcoa temporarily suspended aluminum production at the Badin Works, laying off 377 workers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-locations-facilities/8524450-1.html|title=Alcoa's Plan to Close Badin, N.C., Aluminum Plant Will Idle 377 Workers|last=Craver|first=Richard|work=[[High Point Enterprise]]|date=August 1, 2002|accessdate=2009-11-05}}</ref> The electrode plant continued operating until 2007 when the plant shut down permanently.<ref name="about_badin">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/about_badin.asp|title=About Badin Works|accessdate=2010-03-02| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100315010602/http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/about_badin.asp| archivedate= March 15, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>  The dams continue to generate 215 [[megawatt]]s of electricity annually which the company sells.<ref name="hydropower">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/hydropower.asp|title=The Value of Hydropower|accessdate=2010-03-02| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100315010640/http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/hydropower.asp| archivedate= 2010-03-15 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>  During calendar years 2008, 2009, and 2010, the Yadkin Project generated an average of $7.73 million annually in net income, on an average of $29.46 million in annual revenues.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Price Waterhouse Coopers|title=Yadkin Power Generation Combined Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008|date=March 2, 2011|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/pdf/2008_2010_yadkin_financial_statements.pdf|accessdate=March 6, 2011}}</ref> In the year ending September 2013, APGI sold 964,216 [[Kilowatt hour#Multiples|megawatt hours]], with revenue estimated at $30 million.<ref name=Power/>
-On July 11, 2016, Cube Hydro Carolinas, part of Cube Hydro Partners LLC, announced its purchase of the APGI power plants on the Yadkin River. Cube Hydro intends to improve the plants.<ref name=Cube/> APGI would still own {{convert|15000|acres}} of land.<ref name=Rolfe>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/alcoa-sells-nc-river-dams-to-maryland-clean-power-company/article_02c10fae-f9b7-50e1-add0-3eae2b024078.html|title=Alcoa sells NC river dams to Maryland clean-power company|last=Rolfe|first=David|work=Winston-Salem Journal|date=2016-07-13|accessdate=2016-07-13}}</ref> On December 13, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the license transfer to Cube Yadkin Generation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2016/12/14/operating-license-yadkin-dams-transferred-buyer/|title=Operating license for Yadkin dams transferred to buyer Cube Hydro|last=Bergeron|first=Josh|work=Salisbury Post|date=2016-12-14|accessdate=2016-12-15}}</ref> The sale became official February 2, 2017.<ref name=Cube2017>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2017/02/02/sale-finalized-yadkin-river-dams/|title=Sale finalized for Yadkin River Dams|last=Bergeron|first=Josh|work=Salisbury Post|date=2017-02-02|accessdate=2017-02-02}}</ref>
+On July 11, 2016, Cube Hydro Carolinas, part of Cube Hydro Partners LLC, announced its purchase of the APGI power plants on the Yadkin River. Cube Hydro intends to improve the plants.<ref name=Cube/> APGI would still own {{convert|15000|acres}} of land.<ref name=Rolfe>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/alcoa-sells-nc-river-dams-to-maryland-clean-power-company/article_02c10fae-f9b7-50e1-add0-3eae2b024078.html |title=Alcoa sells NC river dams to Maryland clean-power company |last=Rolfe |first=David |work=Winston-Salem Journal |date=2016-07-13 |accessdate=2016-07-13 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On December 13, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the license transfer to Cube Yadkin Generation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2016/12/14/operating-license-yadkin-dams-transferred-buyer/|title=Operating license for Yadkin dams transferred to buyer Cube Hydro|last=Bergeron|first=Josh|work=Salisbury Post|date=2016-12-14|accessdate=2016-12-15}}</ref> The sale became official February 2, 2017.<ref name=Cube2017>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2017/02/02/sale-finalized-yadkin-river-dams/|title=Sale finalized for Yadkin River Dams|last=Bergeron|first=Josh|work=Salisbury Post|date=2017-02-02|accessdate=2017-02-02}}</ref>
 ===Site redevelopment===
-In January 2011, Alcoa announced its commitment to spend $10 million to prepare the Badin Works site for redevelopment by demolishing buildings which would not be needed and making improvements to the facility.<ref name=Minn>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/011711-Alcoa-new-path-with-anton-mug-qcd|title=Alcoa seeks options for Badin Works|last=Minn|first=Karissa|work=[[The Salisbury Post]]|date=January 17, 2011|accessdate=2011-01-17}}</ref> On May 23, 2011, Electronic Recyclers International, a [[Materials recovery facility|recycler]] of electronic items such as [[computer]]s and [[cell phone]]s, announced plans to spend $5 million on a 165,000-square-foot ({{convert|165000|sqft|sqm|disp=output only}}) building. APGI will also spend $5 million. {{convert|535000|sqft|sqm}} of available space remains on the site.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NC_ELECTRONICS_RECYCLING_NCOL-?SITE=NCWIN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|title=Badin new southeast site for electronics recycling|last=Elder|first=Renee|work=[[Associated Press]]|date=May 23, 2011|accessdate=2011-05-23}}</ref> Clean Tech Silicon and Bar LLC also wanted to invest $300 million and create 450 direct and indirect jobs. However, negotiations between Clean Tech, APGI, and Stanly County Commissioners were not able to reach an agreement, and Clean Tech withdrew its offer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/112211-Clean-Tech-sets-Stanly-Alcoa-deadline-qcd|title=Clean Tech gives deadline to Stanly|last=Minn|first=Karissa|work=[[Salisbury Post]]|date=November 22, 2011|accessdate=2011-11-22}}</ref>
+In January 2011, Alcoa announced its commitment to spend $10 million to prepare the Badin Works site for redevelopment by demolishing buildings which would not be needed and making improvements to the facility.<ref name=Minn>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/011711-Alcoa-new-path-with-anton-mug-qcd |title=Alcoa seeks options for Badin Works |last=Minn |first=Karissa |work=[[The Salisbury Post]] |date=January 17, 2011 |accessdate=2011-01-17 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006034525/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/011711-Alcoa-new-path-with-anton-mug-qcd |archivedate=October 6, 2012 }}</ref> On May 23, 2011, Electronic Recyclers International, a [[Materials recovery facility|recycler]] of electronic items such as [[computer]]s and [[cell phone]]s, announced plans to spend $5 million on a 165,000-square-foot ({{convert|165000|sqft|sqm|disp=output only}}) building. APGI will also spend $5 million. {{convert|535000|sqft|sqm}} of available space remains on the site.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NC_ELECTRONICS_RECYCLING_NCOL-?SITE=NCWIN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |title=Badin new southeast site for electronics recycling |last=Elder |first=Renee |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=May 23, 2011 |accessdate=2011-05-23 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Clean Tech Silicon and Bar LLC also wanted to invest $300 million and create 450 direct and indirect jobs. However, negotiations between Clean Tech, APGI, and Stanly County Commissioners were not able to reach an agreement, and Clean Tech withdrew its offer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/112211-Clean-Tech-sets-Stanly-Alcoa-deadline-qcd |title=Clean Tech gives deadline to Stanly |last=Minn |first=Karissa |work=[[Salisbury Post]] |date=November 22, 2011 |accessdate=2011-11-22 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206141452/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/112211-Clean-Tech-sets-Stanly-Alcoa-deadline-qcd |archivedate=February 6, 2012 }}</ref>
 In 2016, after APGI sold its power plants, the company said it will continue to market Badin Business Park.<ref name=Cube>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2016/07/11/cube-hydro/|title=Cube Hydro will buy Yadkin River power plants, including High Rock dam, from Alcoa|work=Salisbury Post|date=2016-07-11|accessdate=2016-07-12}}</ref>
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ====General information====
-A 50-year federal license to operate the dams on the Yadkin River was granted in 1958 to the Carolina Aluminum Company, a part of Alcoa, which owned the power plants and the land under the lakes, as well as significant land holdings around the lakes. The license was transferred from Yadkin, Inc. (an Alcoa subsidiary) to APGI in 2000.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/october99/101599h.htm|title=Yadkin Inc. starts regular draw down of High Rock Lake|last=Wineka|first=Mark|work=[[Salisbury Post]]|date=October 15, 1999|accessdate=2010-01-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nccommerce.com/NR/rdonlyres/05668F21-9B94-4C9E-BCFF-458697CC18EA/0/NC21stCenturyPlanforYadkinRiverResources.pdf|title=The State of North Carolina's 21st Century Plan for the Use of The Yadkin River Resources: Volume 1|date=September 8, 2009|accessdate=2010-01-14}}</ref><ref name="timeline">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/relicensing/timeline.asp|title=Relicensing Timeline|accessdate=February 3, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100315010306/http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/relicensing/timeline.asp| archivedate= March 15, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>  In 2002, APGI began an extensive relicensing process<ref name="hearings">{{cite news|url=http://archive.salisburypost.com/archive_detail.php?archiveFile=2002/October/31/export8198490200001101838439.xml&start=0&numPer=20&keyword=alcoa+public+meeting&sectionSearch=&begindate=1/1/1983&enddate=3/2/2010&authorSearch=&IncludeStories=1&pubsection=&page=&IncludePages=1&IncludeImages=1&mode=allwords&archive_pubname=Salisbury+Post%0A%09%09%09|title=Alcoa plans public hearings|work=Salisbury Post|date=October 31, 2002|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref> with four series of local public hearings held throughout the project area,<ref name="hearings"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.salisburypost.com/archive_detail.php?archiveFile=2004/June/23/Area/23-alcoa_meetings048466001101839795.xml&start=0&numPer=20&keyword=alcoa+public+meeting&sectionSearch=&begindate=1/1/1983&enddate=3/2/2010&authorSearch=&IncludeStories=1&pubsection=&page=&IncludePages=1&IncludeImages=1&mode=allwords&archive_pubname=Salisbury+Post%0A%09%09%09|title=Alcoa to update public on Yadkin Project|last=Wineka|first=Mark|work=[[Salisbury Post]]|date=June 23, 2004|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Breaking/Alcoa_hearings|title=Alcoa relicensing hearings tonight and Wednesday|work=Salisbury Post|date=January 27, 2007|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-21156.pdf|title=DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Project No. 2197–073; Project No. 2206–030) Alcoa Power Generating, Inc., North Carolina; Progress Energy Carolinas, North Carolina; Notice of Public Meetings on Draft Environmental Impact Statement|work=[[Federal Register]] Vol. 72, No. 207|date=October 26, 2007|accessdate=June 3, 2011}}</ref> and 100 representatives of over 30 stakeholder groups from federal, state, and local governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations participating in Issue Advisory Groups and a lengthy settlement negotiation process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/relicensing_overview.asp|title=Relicensing Facts|accessdate=March 6, 2011}}</ref>  APGI commissioned 22 technical studies on the impact of the project in environmental, economic, recreation, and cultural areas.<ref name="studies">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/relicensing_studies.asp|title=Relicensing Studies|accessdate=2010-03-02| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100315010712/http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/relicensing_studies.asp| archivedate= March 15, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>  On May 7, 2007, APGI submitted a Relicensing Settlement Agreement which promised many benefits to the project area, signed by 23 stakeholders, to the [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] (FERC).<ref name="relicensing_settlement">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/relicensing_settlement.asp|title=Relicensing Settlement Agreement|accessdate=2010-03-02| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100315010301/http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/relicensing_settlement.asp| archivedate= March 15, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
+A 50-year federal license to operate the dams on the Yadkin River was granted in 1958 to the Carolina Aluminum Company, a part of Alcoa, which owned the power plants and the land under the lakes, as well as significant land holdings around the lakes. The license was transferred from Yadkin, Inc. (an Alcoa subsidiary) to APGI in 2000.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/october99/101599h.htm |title=Yadkin Inc. starts regular draw down of High Rock Lake |last=Wineka |first=Mark |work=[[Salisbury Post]] |date=October 15, 1999 |accessdate=2010-01-14 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005152336/http://www.salisburypost.com/october99/101599h.htm |archivedate=October 5, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nccommerce.com/NR/rdonlyres/05668F21-9B94-4C9E-BCFF-458697CC18EA/0/NC21stCenturyPlanforYadkinRiverResources.pdf |title=The State of North Carolina's 21st Century Plan for the Use of The Yadkin River Resources: Volume 1 |date=September 8, 2009 |accessdate=2010-01-14 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121002222/http://www.nccommerce.com/NR/rdonlyres/05668F21-9B94-4C9E-BCFF-458697CC18EA/0/NC21stCenturyPlanforYadkinRiverResources.pdf |archivedate=November 21, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="timeline">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/relicensing/timeline.asp|title=Relicensing Timeline|accessdate=February 3, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100315010306/http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/relicensing/timeline.asp| archivedate= March 15, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>  In 2002, APGI began an extensive relicensing process<ref name="hearings">{{cite news|url=http://archive.salisburypost.com/archive_detail.php?archiveFile=2002/October/31/export8198490200001101838439.xml&start=0&numPer=20&keyword=alcoa+public+meeting&sectionSearch=&begindate=1/1/1983&enddate=3/2/2010&authorSearch=&IncludeStories=1&pubsection=&page=&IncludePages=1&IncludeImages=1&mode=allwords&archive_pubname=Salisbury+Post%0A%09%09%09|title=Alcoa plans public hearings|work=Salisbury Post|date=October 31, 2002|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref> with four series of local public hearings held throughout the project area,<ref name="hearings"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.salisburypost.com/archive_detail.php?archiveFile=2004/June/23/Area/23-alcoa_meetings048466001101839795.xml&start=0&numPer=20&keyword=alcoa+public+meeting&sectionSearch=&begindate=1/1/1983&enddate=3/2/2010&authorSearch=&IncludeStories=1&pubsection=&page=&IncludePages=1&IncludeImages=1&mode=allwords&archive_pubname=Salisbury+Post%0A%09%09%09|title=Alcoa to update public on Yadkin Project|last=Wineka|first=Mark|work=[[Salisbury Post]]|date=June 23, 2004|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Breaking/Alcoa_hearings |title=Alcoa relicensing hearings tonight and Wednesday |work=Salisbury Post |date=January 27, 2007 |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323143840/http://www.salisburypost.com/Breaking/Alcoa_hearings |archivedate=March 23, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-21156.pdf|title=DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Project No. 2197–073; Project No. 2206–030) Alcoa Power Generating, Inc., North Carolina; Progress Energy Carolinas, North Carolina; Notice of Public Meetings on Draft Environmental Impact Statement|work=[[Federal Register]] Vol. 72, No. 207|date=October 26, 2007|accessdate=June 3, 2011}}</ref> and 100 representatives of over 30 stakeholder groups from federal, state, and local governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations participating in Issue Advisory Groups and a lengthy settlement negotiation process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/relicensing_overview.asp|title=Relicensing Facts|accessdate=March 6, 2011}}</ref>  APGI commissioned 22 technical studies on the impact of the project in environmental, economic, recreation, and cultural areas.<ref name="studies">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/relicensing_studies.asp|title=Relicensing Studies|accessdate=2010-03-02| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100315010712/http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/relicensing_studies.asp| archivedate= March 15, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>  On May 7, 2007, APGI submitted a Relicensing Settlement Agreement which promised many benefits to the project area, signed by 23 stakeholders, to the [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] (FERC).<ref name="relicensing_settlement">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/relicensing_settlement.asp|title=Relicensing Settlement Agreement|accessdate=2010-03-02| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100315010301/http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/relicensing_settlement.asp| archivedate= March 15, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
-In January 2007, the Stanly County Commissioners announced they would oppose APGI's relicensing because they were worried the company wouldn’t be forced to clean up environmental problems remaining at the site and in the Yadkin, and because granting the license to another entity,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/08/03/story8.html?page=2 | first=Ken | last=Elkins | title=Fight over Alcoa Power control of Yadkin River nears an end? | date=August 3, 2009}}</ref> which would use the hydro-electricity created by the Yadkin River to create jobs, would better serve the public interest.<ref>"DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Project No. 2197–073; Project No. 2206–030) Alcoa Power Generating, Inc., North Carolina; Progress Energy Carolinas, North Carolina; Notice of Public Meetings on Draft Environmental Impact Statement". Federal Register Vol. 72, No. 207. October 26, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2011</ref> In 2008, North Carolina governor [[Mike Easley]] authorized a study of the effect of APGI's relicensing.  APGI supported this study, whose findings have not been issued.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/jul/17/state-drops-alcoa-move2/|title=State drops Alcoa move|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|date=July 17, 2008|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref>
+In January 2007, the Stanly County Commissioners announced they would oppose APGI's relicensing because they were worried the company wouldn’t be forced to clean up environmental problems remaining at the site and in the Yadkin, and because granting the license to another entity,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/08/03/story8.html?page=2 | first=Ken | last=Elkins | title=Fight over Alcoa Power control of Yadkin River nears an end? | date=August 3, 2009}}</ref> which would use the hydro-electricity created by the Yadkin River to create jobs, would better serve the public interest.<ref>"DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Project No. 2197–073; Project No. 2206–030) Alcoa Power Generating, Inc., North Carolina; Progress Energy Carolinas, North Carolina; Notice of Public Meetings on Draft Environmental Impact Statement". Federal Register Vol. 72, No. 207. October 26, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2011</ref> In 2008, North Carolina governor [[Mike Easley]] authorized a study of the effect of APGI's relicensing.  APGI supported this study, whose findings have not been issued.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/jul/17/state-drops-alcoa-move2/ |title=State drops Alcoa move |work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]] |date=July 17, 2008 |accessdate=April 3, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 In April 2008, FERC issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Yadkin Project, concluding that federal takeover would not be a reasonable alternative for the project, and noting that no federal agency had suggested that federal takeover would be appropriate, or had expressed an interest in operating the project.<ref name="eis">{{cite web|url=http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/eis/2008/04-18-08.asp|title=Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Yadkin and Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Projects, Nos. 2197–073 and 2206-030 (FERC)|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="feis">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/pdf/Yadkin_FEIS_April_2008.pdf|title=Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Yadkin and Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Nos. 2197–073 and 2206-030|accessdate=March 7, 2011}}</ref>  However, due to questions involving Alcoa's state water quality certificate,<ref>http://www.mmipublicrelations.com/news/entry/alcoa-overwhelming-opposed-at-n.c.-division-of-water-quality-hearing/</ref> FERC has not made a final determination on the issuance of a license, and APGI has been operating under a temporary license.<ref name="Fortune">{{cite news|url=http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/11/30/alcoa-and-the-great-north-carolina-power-grab/|title=Alcoa and the great North Carolina power grab|last=Otterbourg|first=Ken|work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|date=November 30, 2010|accessdate=March 7, 2011| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110305060038/http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/11/30/alcoa-and-the-great-north-carolina-power-grab/| archivedate= March 5, 2011 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
-In April 2009, North Carolina Governor [[Beverly Perdue]] issued a statement opposing APGI's relicensing and supporting legislation to establish a public trust to hold the license to use the Yadkin to generate hydro-electricity..<ref>{{cite news|title=Perdue opposes new license for Alcoa|last=Hewlett|first=Michael|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|date=April 2, 2009}}</ref> With bipartisan support the N.C. Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation to establish the "public trust", but Alcoa supporters defeated the bill in the N.C. House.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thesnaponline.com/alcoanewsupdates/x546396139/War-for-Yadkin-Project-heats-up|title=War for Yadkin Project heats up|last=Lisk|first=Jim|work=[[Stanly News and Press]]|date=January 5, 2010|accessdate=2011-09-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://jackbetts.blogspot.com/2009/08/yadkin-river-trust-bill-defeated.html|title=Yadkin River Trust bill defeated|last=Betts|first=Jack|work=charlotteobserver.com|date=August 7, 2009|accessdate=2011-09-29}}</ref>
+In April 2009, North Carolina Governor [[Beverly Perdue]] issued a statement opposing APGI's relicensing and supporting legislation to establish a public trust to hold the license to use the Yadkin to generate hydro-electricity..<ref>{{cite news|title=Perdue opposes new license for Alcoa|last=Hewlett|first=Michael|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|date=April 2, 2009}}</ref> With bipartisan support the N.C. Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation to establish the "public trust", but Alcoa supporters defeated the bill in the N.C. House.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thesnaponline.com/alcoanewsupdates/x546396139/War-for-Yadkin-Project-heats-up |title=War for Yadkin Project heats up |last=Lisk |first=Jim |work=[[Stanly News and Press]] |date=January 5, 2010 |accessdate=2011-09-29 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://jackbetts.blogspot.com/2009/08/yadkin-river-trust-bill-defeated.html|title=Yadkin River Trust bill defeated|last=Betts|first=Jack|work=charlotteobserver.com|date=August 7, 2009|accessdate=2011-09-29}}</ref>
 A year later Republican Senator Fletcher Hartsell, again supporting establishing a "public trust", introduced a bill to create the Uwharrie Regional Commission.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://triangle.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?articletitle=N.C.%20Water%20Rights%20Praises%20General%20Assembly%20For%20Establishing%20The%20Uwharrie%20Regional%20Resources%20Commission&newsid=214852&type_news=latest&s=sbab|title=N.C. Water Rights Praises General Assembly For Establishing The Uwharrie Regional Resources Commission|work=dBusinessNews|date=July 26, 2010|accessdate=2011-09-29}}</ref>
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 Celebrity activist [[Erin Brockovich]] spoke for supporters of the Yadkin River Trust at a news conference in Raleigh, North Carolina.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=6578|title=At Raleigh event, Brockovich vague on Alcoa dam controversy|last=Henderson|first=Rick|work=Carolina Journal|date=June 29, 2010|accessdate=March 6, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9GL6LM00.htm|title=Erin Brockovich worries about NC river pollution|last=Norfleet|first=Nicole|work=[[Business Week]]|date=June 29, 2010|accessdate=2010-07-02}}</ref> Later in the day, the Yadkin Riverkeeper sponsored her appearance at [[Wake Forest University]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.npaper-server.com/yes-weekly/2010/07/06/#?article=932122|title=Erin Brockovich lends celebrity profile to Alcoa controversy|last=Barber|first=Keith T.|work=Yes Weekly|date=July 7, 2010|accessdate=2010-07-08}}</ref><ref name=Brockovich>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/063010-Erin-Brockovich-speech-qcd|title=Erin Brockovich speaks for Riverkeeper|last=Minn|first=Karissa|work=[[Salisbury Post]]|date=June 30, 2010|accessdate=2010-07-08| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100703143849/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/063010-Erin-Brockovich-speech-qcd| archivedate= July 3, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
-The debate over Alcoa's relicensing and the establishment of a public trust has been contentious. In addition to the Relicensing Settlement Agreement signatories, APGI has gained the support, principally, of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition (which in June 2010 broadcast radio spots calling 'recapturing' Alcoa's license to control the Yadkin River a government takeover of private property); Rick Miller, President of the [[National Hydropower Association]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/05/25/editorial1.html|title=No need to open the floodgates|last=Miller|first=Rick|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|date=May 22, 2009|accessdate=2010-07-08}}</ref> and a local newspaper editorial board.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Opinion/040808-edit-alcoa-state|title=Editorial: Don't create a dam mess|work=[[Salisbury Post]]|date=April 8, 2008|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Opinion/042109-edit-alcoa-takeover|title=Editorial: N.C. and Alcoa: Takeover is anti-business|work=[[Salisbury Post]]|date=April 21, 2009|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20090422/ARTICLES/904229998/1012/OPINION?Title=Opposition-is-on-the-rise-for-new-license-for-Alcoa|title=Editorial: Opposition is on the rise for new license for Alcoa|work=[[The Dispatch (Lexington)|The Dispatch]] (Lexington, NC)|date=April 22, 2009|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/pdf/High_Point_Enterprise_Editorial_April4_2009.pdf|title=Editorial|work=[[High Point Enterprise]]|date=April 6, 2009|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref> According to a poll paid for by APGI and done by McLaughlin & Associates, North Carolina's citizens are predominantly against the state taking over the project.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mining-and-minerals.verticalnews.com/articles/739622.html|title=North Carolina Voters Strongly Oppose State Takeover of Hydro Project in Central North Carolina|work=Vertical News|date=July 14, 2008|accessdate=March 3, 2010}}</ref>
+The debate over Alcoa's relicensing and the establishment of a public trust has been contentious. In addition to the Relicensing Settlement Agreement signatories, APGI has gained the support, principally, of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition (which in June 2010 broadcast radio spots calling 'recapturing' Alcoa's license to control the Yadkin River a government takeover of private property); Rick Miller, President of the [[National Hydropower Association]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/05/25/editorial1.html|title=No need to open the floodgates|last=Miller|first=Rick|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|date=May 22, 2009|accessdate=2010-07-08}}</ref> and a local newspaper editorial board.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Opinion/040808-edit-alcoa-state |title=Editorial: Don't create a dam mess |work=[[Salisbury Post]] |date=April 8, 2008 |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109205211/http://www.salisburypost.com/Opinion/040808-edit-alcoa-state |archivedate=November 9, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Opinion/042109-edit-alcoa-takeover |title=Editorial: N.C. and Alcoa: Takeover is anti-business |work=[[Salisbury Post]] |date=April 21, 2009 |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323143906/http://www.salisburypost.com/Opinion/042109-edit-alcoa-takeover |archivedate=March 23, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20090422/ARTICLES/904229998/1012/OPINION?Title=Opposition-is-on-the-rise-for-new-license-for-Alcoa|title=Editorial: Opposition is on the rise for new license for Alcoa|work=[[The Dispatch (Lexington)|The Dispatch]] (Lexington, NC)|date=April 22, 2009|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/pdf/High_Point_Enterprise_Editorial_April4_2009.pdf|title=Editorial|work=[[High Point Enterprise]]|date=April 6, 2009|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref> According to a poll paid for by APGI and done by McLaughlin & Associates, North Carolina's citizens are predominantly against the state taking over the project.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mining-and-minerals.verticalnews.com/articles/739622.html|title=North Carolina Voters Strongly Oppose State Takeover of Hydro Project in Central North Carolina|work=Vertical News|date=July 14, 2008|accessdate=March 3, 2010}}</ref>
-Stanly County was supported by Governor Beverly Perdue and her Commerce Secretary (a former president of the Stanly-County-initiated N. C. Water Rights Coalition),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3067228|title=Governor Questions Yadkin Permit|work=iStockAnalyst (from the [[Charlotte Observer]])|date=February 25, 2009|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref> the Yadkin Riverkeeper, a number of elected officials and the NC Water Rights Commission which has aired internet videos about Alcoa's environmental record and rebutting Alcoa's property rights claims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/08/03/story8.html|title=Fight over Alcoa Power control of Yadkin River nears an end?|last=Elkins|first=Ken|work=Carolina Business Journal|date=August 3, 2009|accessdate=March 8, 2011}}</ref> Also supporting the public power agency is the [[nonprofit]] organization Central Park NC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Environment/022712-Alcoa-public-water-agency|title=Alcoa's Yadkin project could be affected by talk of public agency for water power|work=[[The Salisbury Post]]|agency=[[The Associated Press]]|date=February 27, 2012|accessdate=February 27, 2012}}</ref>
+Stanly County was supported by Governor Beverly Perdue and her Commerce Secretary (a former president of the Stanly-County-initiated N. C. Water Rights Coalition),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3067228 |title=Governor Questions Yadkin Permit |work=iStockAnalyst (from the [[Charlotte Observer]]) |date=February 25, 2009 |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322113745/http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3067228 |archivedate=March 22, 2012 }}</ref> the Yadkin Riverkeeper, a number of elected officials and the NC Water Rights Commission which has aired internet videos about Alcoa's environmental record and rebutting Alcoa's property rights claims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/08/03/story8.html|title=Fight over Alcoa Power control of Yadkin River nears an end?|last=Elkins|first=Ken|work=Carolina Business Journal|date=August 3, 2009|accessdate=March 8, 2011}}</ref> Also supporting the public power agency is the [[nonprofit]] organization Central Park NC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Environment/022712-Alcoa-public-water-agency |title=Alcoa's Yadkin project could be affected by talk of public agency for water power |work=[[The Salisbury Post]] |agency=[[The Associated Press]] |date=February 27, 2012 |accessdate=February 27, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816155713/http://www.salisburypost.com/Environment/022712-Alcoa-public-water-agency |archivedate=August 16, 2013 }}</ref>
-In 2013, Stanly County agreed to support Alcoa's license renewal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://charlotte.news14.com/content/top_stories/693807/stanly-county-commissioners--alcoa-reach-agreement-for-license-application|title=Stanly County Commissioners, Alcoa reach agreement for license application|last=Barnes|first=Jenna|work=[[News 14 Carolina]]|date=May 6, 2013|accessdate=May 7, 2013 }}</ref>
+In 2013, Stanly County agreed to support Alcoa's license renewal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://charlotte.news14.com/content/top_stories/693807/stanly-county-commissioners--alcoa-reach-agreement-for-license-application |title=Stanly County Commissioners, Alcoa reach agreement for license application |last=Barnes |first=Jenna |work=[[News 14 Carolina]] |date=May 6, 2013 |accessdate=May 7, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727151432/http://charlotte.news14.com/content/top_stories/693807/stanly-county-commissioners--alcoa-reach-agreement-for-license-application |archivedate=July 27, 2013 }}</ref>
 On July 29, 2013, the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources recommended approval for relicensing. However,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130806/PC16/130809645/1006/official-urged-alcoa-approval|title=Official urged Alcoa approval|last=Dalesio|first=Emery P.|work=[[The Post and Courier]]|agency=Associated Press|date=August 6, 2013|accessdate=August 6, 2013}}</ref> on August 2, the state filed a lawsuit claiming Alcoa did not own land under its lakes. The suit also asked that the state be granted rights to the dams. Governor [[Pat McCrory]] said, "The Yadkin River is a North Carolina river. We should be able to use it for North Carolina water needs and to create North Carolina jobs. The benefits of the Yadkin River belong to North Carolina's people."<ref name=NC>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/article_facbe81a-fb97-11e2-a978-0019bb30f31a.html|title=N.C. challenges Alcoa's property rights for dams|work=Winston-Salem Journal|agency=The Associated Press|date=August 3, 2013|accessdate=August 3, 2013}}</ref> APGI believed it would prevail because of a 2012 [[United States Supreme Court]] decision in favor of a [[Montana]] power company. Another suit claimed North Carolina had owned the land since it was one of the thirteen original colonies.<ref name=NC/> APGI lawyers claimed that the state could not use this argument bewcause it had waited too long to do so.<ref name=Power>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region/article_f85bf106-3de6-11e3-add4-001a4bcf6878.html|title=Power sales from Alcoa's dams rise to $30M|work=Winston-Salem Journal|agency=The Associated Press|date=October 25, 2013}}</ref>
-On April 22, 2015, U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle ruled that the Yadkin River was not navigable at the time of United States independence from Great Britain, meaning that the state of North Carolina would not have ownership of it from that time. This means the riverbed may have been included in land purchases by Alcoa and other companies that preceded it. Alcoa attorneys said the company did own the land and the state did not have a claim. A determination of who owned the riverbed was to be made in a trial.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region/judge-peers-to-us-independence-as-nc-fights-alcoa-dams/article_8314c408-fec1-5d62-926a-7ee82f80bd7a.html|title=Judge peers to US independence as NC fights Alcoa dams title|work=Winston-Salem Journal|agency=Associated Press|date=April 21, 2015|accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region/riverbed-rights-next-in-alcoa-dams-fight/article_9b7f1288-cc00-5909-beb1-1e8e08fcd604.html|title=Riverbed rights next in Alcoa dams fight|work=Winston-Salem Journal|agency=Associated Press|date=April 22, 2015|accessdate=April 24, 2015}}</ref>
+On April 22, 2015, U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle ruled that the Yadkin River was not navigable at the time of United States independence from Great Britain, meaning that the state of North Carolina would not have ownership of it from that time. This means the riverbed may have been included in land purchases by Alcoa and other companies that preceded it. Alcoa attorneys said the company did own the land and the state did not have a claim. A determination of who owned the riverbed was to be made in a trial.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region/judge-peers-to-us-independence-as-nc-fights-alcoa-dams/article_8314c408-fec1-5d62-926a-7ee82f80bd7a.html |title=Judge peers to US independence as NC fights Alcoa dams title |work=Winston-Salem Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=April 21, 2015 |accessdate=April 21, 2015 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region/riverbed-rights-next-in-alcoa-dams-fight/article_9b7f1288-cc00-5909-beb1-1e8e08fcd604.html|title=Riverbed rights next in Alcoa dams fight|work=Winston-Salem Journal|agency=Associated Press|date=April 22, 2015|accessdate=April 24, 2015}}</ref>
 On August 27, while asking attorneys questions that would help him determine whether to dismiss the 2013 lawsuit, Boyle accused North Carolina of acting like "a [[banana republic]]" and said the state was merely trying to punish Alcoa for taking away hundreds of jobs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/08/27/us-judge-weighs-dumping-case-over-alcoa-dams-riverbed-rights/|title=US judge weighs dumping case over Alcoa dams riverbed rights|last=Dalesio|first=Emery P.|work=Salisbury Post|agency=Associated Press|date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> Boyle dismissed the state lawsuit on September 28, saying the state had seven years to take action and did not do so until Alcoa's use of the property changed to something the state didn't want. The ruling establishes that Alcoa owns the riverbed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alcoa Wins Court Fight|work=Salisbury Post|date=September 30, 2015|page=1A}}</ref> The [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit|4th Circuit Court of Appeals]] upheld the ruling in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2017/04/05/nc-claim-yadkin-riverbed-rejected/|last=Dalesio|first=Emery P.|agency=Associated Press|title=NC claim to Yadkin riverbed rejected|work=Salisbury Post|date=April 5, 2017}}</ref>
@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 ====401 Water Quality Certificate====
-The last remaining FERC requirement for a new Alcoa Yadkin Project license is a Section 401 water quality certificate, and recent opposition to Alcoa's relicensing has centered around it.  In November 2007, the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) issued APGI a Section 401 water quality certificate for the Yadkin Project. The certificate was later withdrawn due to the failure of DWQ to publish a required public notice.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0916987120080509|title=Alcoa's APGI withdraws Yadkin water application|last=Vaporean|first=Carole|work=Reuters|date=May 9, 2008|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref> APGI reapplied for a water quality certificate, which DWQ issued on May 9, 2009.<ref name="401 cert announce">{{cite web|url=http://www.enr.state.nc.us/newsrels/FINALalcoa401.pdf|title=Announcement of Water Quality Certification with Conditions issued to Alcoa, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, May 9, 2009|accessdate=February 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="401 complete cert">{{cite web|url=http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/pubinfo/documents/401CertificationFinalMay72009.pdf|title=Water Quality Certification with Additional Conditions, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, May 9, 2009|accessdate=March 7, 2011}}</ref><ref name="401cert">{{cite web|url=http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/pubinfo/documents/HearingOfficerReportFinalMay62009.pdf|title=Hearing Officer Report, Public Hearing for Alcoa 401 Water Quality Certification for FERC Relicense, May 6, 2009|accessdate=March 7, 2011}}</ref>  In part, the certificate required APGI to make upgrades which would improve dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the dam releases.  Some upgrades have been made at the Narrows dam, although the complete upgrade program won't be completed until after the issuance of a license.  Stanly County filed a legal appeal of the certificate and a court granted a stay of its execution.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jackbetts.blogspot.com/2009/05/stay-should-halt-alcoa-license-process.html|title=Stay should halt Alcoa license process, Stanly County says|last=Betts|first=Jack|work=Charlotte Observer|date=May 28, 1009|accessdate=March 6, 2011}}</ref>  In October 2010, as hearings on the appeal took place, the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources reduced the amount of a [[surety bond]] required by the 401 water quality certificate from $240 million to $80 million, the amount APGI states will be required to make improvements required in the certificate.<ref name=Fain>{{cite news|url= http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2010/oct/29/alcoa-bond-dropped-to-80m-ar-492815|title=Alcoa bond dropped to $80M|last=Fain|first=Travis|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|date=October 29, 2010|accessdate=2010-10-29}}</ref>
+The last remaining FERC requirement for a new Alcoa Yadkin Project license is a Section 401 water quality certificate, and recent opposition to Alcoa's relicensing has centered around it.  In November 2007, the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) issued APGI a Section 401 water quality certificate for the Yadkin Project. The certificate was later withdrawn due to the failure of DWQ to publish a required public notice.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0916987120080509|title=Alcoa's APGI withdraws Yadkin water application|last=Vaporean|first=Carole|work=Reuters|date=May 9, 2008|accessdate=April 3, 2010}}</ref> APGI reapplied for a water quality certificate, which DWQ issued on May 9, 2009.<ref name="401 cert announce">{{cite web|url=http://www.enr.state.nc.us/newsrels/FINALalcoa401.pdf |title=Announcement of Water Quality Certification with Conditions issued to Alcoa, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, May 9, 2009 |accessdate=February 3, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416203033/http://www.enr.state.nc.us/newsrels/FINALalcoa401.pdf |archivedate=April 16, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="401 complete cert">{{cite web|url=http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/pubinfo/documents/401CertificationFinalMay72009.pdf |title=Water Quality Certification with Additional Conditions, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, May 9, 2009 |accessdate=March 7, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727161445/http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/pubinfo/documents/401CertificationFinalMay72009.pdf |archivedate=July 27, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="401cert">{{cite web|url=http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/pubinfo/documents/HearingOfficerReportFinalMay62009.pdf |title=Hearing Officer Report, Public Hearing for Alcoa 401 Water Quality Certification for FERC Relicense, May 6, 2009 |accessdate=March 7, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727161534/http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/pubinfo/documents/HearingOfficerReportFinalMay62009.pdf |archivedate=July 27, 2011 }}</ref>  In part, the certificate required APGI to make upgrades which would improve dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the dam releases.  Some upgrades have been made at the Narrows dam, although the complete upgrade program won't be completed until after the issuance of a license.  Stanly County filed a legal appeal of the certificate and a court granted a stay of its execution.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jackbetts.blogspot.com/2009/05/stay-should-halt-alcoa-license-process.html|title=Stay should halt Alcoa license process, Stanly County says|last=Betts|first=Jack|work=Charlotte Observer|date=May 28, 1009|accessdate=March 6, 2011}}</ref>  In October 2010, as hearings on the appeal took place, the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources reduced the amount of a [[surety bond]] required by the 401 water quality certificate from $240 million to $80 million, the amount APGI states will be required to make improvements required in the certificate.<ref name=Fain>{{cite news|url= http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2010/oct/29/alcoa-bond-dropped-to-80m-ar-492815|title=Alcoa bond dropped to $80M|last=Fain|first=Travis|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|date=October 29, 2010|accessdate=2010-10-29}}</ref>
 Then, in the fall of 2010, lawyers for Stanly County and the Yadkin Riverkeeper confronted Alcoa executives with internal Alcoa emails documenting that Alcoa had withheld information and misrepresented facts about its pollution from the Department of Natural and Natural Resources.<ref>http://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/news/201105/court-sides-nc-over-alcoa-certification</ref> When the emails were made public DENR promptly revoked Alcoa’s water quality certificate and, on December 2, 2010, Administrative Law Judge Fred Morrison Jr. suspended hearings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2010/dec/03/alcoa-lawyers-study-options-after-loss-of-certific-ar-586697/|title=Alcoa lawyers study options after loss of certificate|last=Fain|first=Travis|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|date=December 3, 2010|accessdate=2010-12-03}}</ref>
-On January 28, 2011, APGI released more internal documents and filed an appeal of the certificate revocation, stating “In its revocation notice, the DWQ quotes selected portions of e-mails that do not provide the complete story and were taken out of context.  If you read the entire e-mail chains in context, and review the entire record, you find that no material information was withheld.”<ref>{{cite news|title=Alcoa appeals, says it didn’t withhold info|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/012911-Alcoa-Water-appeal-qcd|last=Dalesio|first=Emery P.|work=Salisbury Post|date=January 29, 2011|accessdate=March 6, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006034831/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/012911-Alcoa-Water-appeal-qcd|archivedate=October 6, 2012}}</ref><ref name="certrevappeal">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/401_appeal_summary.asp|title=401 Appeal Summary|accessdate=March 7, 2011}}</ref>  APGI also released a study of dissolved oxygen levels leaving the Narrows and Falls reservoirs, where planned upgrades have been partially implemented.  This report, Alcoa claimed, showed that, for the past three years, Falls tailwaters substantially met the state instantaneous dissolved oxygen standard over 99.5% of the time, and that in 2010 Narrows tailwaters met the state instantaneous DO standard 93.4 percent of the time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/012111-alcoa-oxygen-report-qcd|title=Alcoa says water quality improving|work=[[The Salisbury Post]]|date=January 21, 2011|accessdate=2011-01-21}}</ref><ref name="2010 DO report">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/pdf/2010_DO_Report.pdf|title=2010 Tailwaters Dissolved Oxygen Report, Yadkin Project FERC Project No. 2197|accessdate=March 7, 2011}}</ref>  APGI also announced in January 2011 the establishment of an environmental toll-free hotline managed by EthicsPoint.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thesnaponline.com/homepage/x530792766/Alcoa-offers-hotline/print|title=Alcoa offers hotline|work=[[Stanly News and Press]]|date=January 17, 2011|accessdate=March 7, 2011}}</ref>
+On January 28, 2011, APGI released more internal documents and filed an appeal of the certificate revocation, stating “In its revocation notice, the DWQ quotes selected portions of e-mails that do not provide the complete story and were taken out of context.  If you read the entire e-mail chains in context, and review the entire record, you find that no material information was withheld.”<ref>{{cite news|title=Alcoa appeals, says it didn’t withhold info|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/012911-Alcoa-Water-appeal-qcd|last=Dalesio|first=Emery P.|work=Salisbury Post|date=January 29, 2011|accessdate=March 6, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006034831/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/012911-Alcoa-Water-appeal-qcd|archivedate=October 6, 2012}}</ref><ref name="certrevappeal">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/401_appeal_summary.asp |title=401 Appeal Summary |accessdate=March 7, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707104715/http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/info_page/401_appeal_summary.asp |archivedate=July 7, 2011 }}</ref>  APGI also released a study of dissolved oxygen levels leaving the Narrows and Falls reservoirs, where planned upgrades have been partially implemented.  This report, Alcoa claimed, showed that, for the past three years, Falls tailwaters substantially met the state instantaneous dissolved oxygen standard over 99.5% of the time, and that in 2010 Narrows tailwaters met the state instantaneous DO standard 93.4 percent of the time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/012111-alcoa-oxygen-report-qcd |title=Alcoa says water quality improving |work=[[The Salisbury Post]] |date=January 21, 2011 |accessdate=2011-01-21 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006034641/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/012111-alcoa-oxygen-report-qcd |archivedate=October 6, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="2010 DO report">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/pdf/2010_DO_Report.pdf|title=2010 Tailwaters Dissolved Oxygen Report, Yadkin Project FERC Project No. 2197|accessdate=March 7, 2011}}</ref>  APGI also announced in January 2011 the establishment of an environmental toll-free hotline managed by EthicsPoint.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thesnaponline.com/homepage/x530792766/Alcoa-offers-hotline/print |title=Alcoa offers hotline |work=[[Stanly News and Press]] |date=January 17, 2011 |accessdate=March 7, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
-In a separate legal case, on May 3, 2011, a [[United States Court of Appeals|Federal Appeals Court]] in Washington, D.C. ruled against APGI, which had argued the state's actions were improper.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/050511-alcoa-loses-court-fight-qcd|title=Court sides with NC over Alcoa certification|work=[[The Salisbury Post]]|date=May 5, 2011|accessdate=2011-05-05}}</ref>
+In a separate legal case, on May 3, 2011, a [[United States Court of Appeals|Federal Appeals Court]] in Washington, D.C. ruled against APGI, which had argued the state's actions were improper.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/050511-alcoa-loses-court-fight-qcd |title=Court sides with NC over Alcoa certification |work=[[The Salisbury Post]] |date=May 5, 2011 |accessdate=2011-05-05 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007044837/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/050511-alcoa-loses-court-fight-qcd |archivedate=October 7, 2012 }}</ref>
 The state revoked the water quality certificate again in 2013 due to concerns over ownership.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/outside_the_loop/2013/08/nc-also-denies-alcoa-water-certificate.html|title=NC also denies Alcoa water certificate for Yadkin Project, hampering federal relicensing effort|last=Elkins|first=Ken|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|date=August 5, 2013|accessdate=November 11, 2013}}</ref>
@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 On September 25, [[Wake County, North Carolina|Wake County]] Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins said the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources wrongly denied a certificate and gave the department a month to grant it.<ref>{{cite news|title=Judge sides with Alcoa in NC lawsuit|last=Bergeron|first=Josh|work=The Salisbury Post|date=September 29, 2015|page=1A}}</ref>
-On October 23, the state said it approved the certification on the condition Alcoa provide $48 million for improvements.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region/nc-issues-alcoa-key-certification-needed-for-dams-license/article_f4276fd4-16a2-5927-a98b-6cd60dbf0b8b.html|title=NC issues Alcoa key certification needed for dams license|agency=Associated Press|work=Winston-Salem Journal|date=October 23, 2015|accessdate=October 24, 2015}}</ref> but on October 28, Special Deputy Attorney General I. Faison Hicks asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to wait for a U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals lawsuit to be settled before making a decision about the 50-year license.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/10/29/state-asks-feds-not-to-rule-on-alcoas-relicensing/|title=State asks feds not to rule on Alcoa’s relicensing|last=Bergeron|first=Josh|work=The Salisbury Post|date=October 29, 2015|accessdate=October 29, 2015}}</ref>
+On October 23, the state said it approved the certification on the condition Alcoa provide $48 million for improvements.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region/nc-issues-alcoa-key-certification-needed-for-dams-license/article_f4276fd4-16a2-5927-a98b-6cd60dbf0b8b.html |title=NC issues Alcoa key certification needed for dams license |agency=Associated Press |work=Winston-Salem Journal |date=October 23, 2015 |accessdate=October 24, 2015 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> but on October 28, Special Deputy Attorney General I. Faison Hicks asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to wait for a U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals lawsuit to be settled before making a decision about the 50-year license.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/10/29/state-asks-feds-not-to-rule-on-alcoas-relicensing/|title=State asks feds not to rule on Alcoa’s relicensing|last=Bergeron|first=Josh|work=The Salisbury Post|date=October 29, 2015|accessdate=October 29, 2015}}</ref>
 ==Tapoco Project==
@@ Line 90: / Line 90: @@
 World War I increased the need for aluminum, and [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]] completed a railroad extension to the planned [[Cheoah Dam]] in 1916. The Cheoah Dam began operation in 1919.
-Construction of [[Santeetlah Dam]] began in 1926, with the Rhymer's Ferry powerhouse starting operation in 1928. [[Calderwood Dam]] was completed in 1930.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grahamcounty.net/GCHistory/06-tapoco/tapoco.htm|title=History of Tapoco|last=Barrett|first=J.S.|accessdate=2010-01-14| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100226142226/http://www.grahamcounty.net/GCHistory/06-tapoco/tapoco.htm| archivedate= February 26, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> [[Chilhowee Dam]] was the last completed, in 1957.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20080822/NEWS/244448|title=ALCOA to repair Chilhowee Dam; reservoir drawdown starts Sept. 2|work=[[The Daily Times (Blount County, Tennessee)|The Daily Times]]''|date=August 22, 2008|accessdate=2010-01-14}}</ref> The North Plant fabricating facility opened in 1942 to help meet the aluminum needs for [[World War II]].
+Construction of [[Santeetlah Dam]] began in 1926, with the Rhymer's Ferry powerhouse starting operation in 1928. [[Calderwood Dam]] was completed in 1930.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grahamcounty.net/GCHistory/06-tapoco/tapoco.htm|title=History of Tapoco|last=Barrett|first=J.S.|accessdate=2010-01-14| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100226142226/http://www.grahamcounty.net/GCHistory/06-tapoco/tapoco.htm| archivedate= February 26, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> [[Chilhowee Dam]] was the last completed, in 1957.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20080822/NEWS/244448 |title=ALCOA to repair Chilhowee Dam; reservoir drawdown starts Sept. 2 |work=[[The Daily Times (Blount County, Tennessee)|The Daily Times]]'' |date=August 22, 2008 |accessdate=2010-01-14 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The North Plant fabricating facility opened in 1942 to help meet the aluminum needs for [[World War II]].
-The company received its federal license to operate these dams in 1955 but was unable to renew until it resolved concerns over flooding in the [[Great Smoky Mountains National Park]] as a result of the Chilhowee Dam. The Tapoco Project and Licensing Act of 2004 corrected the problem by trading land, with {{convert|6000|acre|km2|0}} going to the park and about {{convert|10000|acre|km2|0}} of Alcoa land receiving a [[conservation easement]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cooperativeconservationamerica.org/viewproject.asp?pid=619|title=Tapoco Hydroelectric Project|publisher=Cooperative Conservation America|accessdate=2009-11-05}}</ref> A 40-year license was granted January 25, 2005,<ref name=tapoco>{{cite web|url=http://www.smokymountainhydro.com/content/about/overview-35693.html|title=Overview|publisher=Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower|accessdate=November 11, 2013}}</ref> but smelter production ended in 2009, and in 2012 the company sold its dams.<ref name=Power/> Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners of Canada paid $600 million for the four dams, 86 miles of transmission lines, and 14,500 acres in 2012. Tapoco-APGI became Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower on November 15 of that year.<ref name=Power/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/divest/tapoco.asp|title=Tapoco Hydroelectric Project Divestiture|accessdate=November 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name=tapoco/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailytimes.com/Local_News/story/ALCOA-closes-dam-sale-Tapoco-now-Brookfield-Smoky-Mountain-Hydropower-id-029820|title=ALCOA closes dam sale: Tapoco now Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower|last=Norris|first=Robert|work=The Daily Times|location=[[Maryville, Tennessee]]|date=November 15, 2012|accessdate=November 21, 2013}}</ref>
+The company received its federal license to operate these dams in 1955 but was unable to renew until it resolved concerns over flooding in the [[Great Smoky Mountains National Park]] as a result of the Chilhowee Dam. The Tapoco Project and Licensing Act of 2004 corrected the problem by trading land, with {{convert|6000|acre|km2|0}} going to the park and about {{convert|10000|acre|km2|0}} of Alcoa land receiving a [[conservation easement]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cooperativeconservationamerica.org/viewproject.asp?pid=619 |title=Tapoco Hydroelectric Project |publisher=Cooperative Conservation America |accessdate=2009-11-05 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725195016/http://www.cooperativeconservationamerica.org/viewproject.asp?pid=619 |archivedate=July 25, 2011 }}</ref> A 40-year license was granted January 25, 2005,<ref name=tapoco>{{cite web|url=http://www.smokymountainhydro.com/content/about/overview-35693.html |title=Overview |publisher=Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower |accessdate=November 11, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111174900/http://www.smokymountainhydro.com/content/about/overview-35693.html |archivedate=November 11, 2013 }}</ref> but smelter production ended in 2009, and in 2012 the company sold its dams.<ref name=Power/> Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners of Canada paid $600 million for the four dams, 86 miles of transmission lines, and 14,500 acres in 2012. Tapoco-APGI became Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower on November 15 of that year.<ref name=Power/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alcoa.com/divest/tapoco.asp|title=Tapoco Hydroelectric Project Divestiture|accessdate=November 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name=tapoco/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailytimes.com/Local_News/story/ALCOA-closes-dam-sale-Tapoco-now-Brookfield-Smoky-Mountain-Hydropower-id-029820|title=ALCOA closes dam sale: Tapoco now Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower|last=Norris|first=Robert|work=The Daily Times|location=[[Maryville, Tennessee]]|date=November 15, 2012|accessdate=November 21, 2013}}</ref>
 [[Image:TapocoDam.jpg|thumb|right|Cheoah Dam in Graham County, NC]]

v t e Alcoa
Related companies	Alcoa Power Generating Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals Arconic Halco Mining Howmet Aerospace Kawneer Reynolds Group Holdings
People	Charles Martin Hall Klaus Kleinfeld
Related articles	Alcoa, Tennessee Lever House (former Alcoa corporate headquarters) United States v. Alcoa