Officials: Century closure a disappointment for Ravenswood
By Paul J. Nyden, Staff Writer for the Charleston Gazette-Mail
State and federal officials are expressing their disappointment about the permanent closure of Century Aluminum's Ravenswood smelter. The company said Monday evening it would permanently shut down the plant immediately.
"Century Aluminum's plant closure in Ravenswood is not only disappointing for Jackson County and West Virginia, but also to Century retirees," said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. "I have worked tirelessly with federal, state and local officials, company and industry executives and the retirees to reopen the plant and will continuing working to see if we could find a solution and save these jobs and preserve retiree benefits.
"Although I am saddened to hear of the permanent closure, I will not stop fighting to bring these jobs back to West Virginia, while also ensuring Century keeps its promise to retirees," Manchin said.
Built in 1957, the smelter employed more than 650 workers when it was idled in February 2009.
"The decision to permanently close the Ravenswood plant is based on the inability to secure a competitive power contract for the smelter, compounded by challenging aluminum market conditions largely driven by increased exports of aluminum from China," Century stated in its press release....
Read more ... Officials: Century closure a disappointment for Ravenswood By Paul J. Nyden for the Charleston Gazette-Mail
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