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Ferndale Plant Adjusting Operations by Mike Curtiss KGMI, June 2, 2011

FERNDALE, Wash. -- The Alcoa Intalco Works aluminum smelter near Ferndale is adjusting operations in order to consume some of the extra power produced by the wet spring weather.

An agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration will help manage excess hydroelectric energy in our area due to melting snowpack.

Plant Manager Barry Hullett says Intalco will increase power consumption at night when energy use is at its lowest.

The adjustment comes after they recently restarted one of the plant's aluminum potlines. Hullett says they are now running at 80% percent of its capacity.