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Tester, Baucus Push for CFAC Plant Reopening by Katy Harris KPAX / KAJ, September 23, 2011

COLUMBIA FALLS - Montana Senators Jon Tester and Max Baucus spoke this week with the Bonneville Power Association about finalizing a deal with the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant so that the plant can begin operating again.

A power purchase agreement between the BPA and CFAC would supply the plant with 140-megawatts of power. That would be enough electricity to fire two of the five pot-lines for 4 1/2 years.

Senator Tester issued a statement saying he's pushing for the agreement.

"I reminded BPA that reopening CFAC is the right thing to do for northwest Montana and for our manufacturing industry. I'm still pushing both sides to reach an agreement that reopens this plant and brings back hundreds of jobs to the Flathead Valley and I will keep doing so until employees go back to work."

And Senator Baucus added that it's time to bring hundreds of jobs back to the Flathead.

"It's my hope that BPA gets the message loud and clear: It's time to reopen Columbia Falls Aluminum Company and bring back hundreds of jobs in the Flathead. It's time to get a deal done to get people back to work so they can provide for their families."

The BPA is a federal agency that markets power from 31 hydroelectric dams and a nuclear plant in the northwest. A reopening of the CFAC plant could bring 350 jobs in Columbia Falls.