CHARLOTTE (AP) ó Alcoa is appealing a North Carolina water-quality permit the company needs to renew its federal hydroelectric license on the Yadkin River.
Multiple media outlets reported today that the aluminum maker is in a dispute with Stanly County and Gov. Beverly Perdue. The county and the governor want federal authorities to move Alcoa’s license for the Yadkin River to a state trust.
The state issued the certification in May that Alcoa’s hydro operations won’t harm water quality. That would allow federal regulators to renew the license for up to 50 more years.
Stanly County and the Yadkin Riverkeeper appealed and a state judge placed the permit on hold.
Alcoa says the $240 million bond the state required for the water permit is “grossly excessive” and unwarranted.