Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Judge blocks Alcoa's water quality permit

An administrative law judge in Raleigh has at least temporarily blocked a state permit that Alcoa Power Generating Inc. needs in its quest for a renewal of its federal license to continue operating its hydroelectric dams on the Yadkin River. Gov. Bev Perdue has intervened in that process and last week asked the administrative judge to stay the permit issued a few weeks earlier by her administration's Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Alcoa issued the following Wednesday afternoon:


The decision to grant a stay represents another unnecessary delay in the relicensing of the Yadkin Project. The water quality certificate was issued after nearly two years of scrutiny by water quality experts in the N.C. Division of Water Quality, and we are surprised that Gov. Perdue publicly disagreed with their decision by supporting a stay.

The Division of Water Quality defended its decision to grant the 401 certificate, saying it issued the right decision for the right reasons, and we are confident that the 401 certificate will be upheld.

Despite the stay, FERC can issue a new long-term license for the Yadkin Project. Any changes to the 401 certificate will be subsequently incorporated into the FERC license.


For more information on the company, see www.alcoafacts.com and http://yadkinproject.blogspot.com.

For information about opposition to the license renewal, see www.ncwaterrights.org.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The Jacksonville Country Club is getting close to half a million dollars to restore a stream that runs through their property. This is a private country club. I wonder who in state government is a member. Check it out on NCOpenBook.