Sen. Aubertine Applauds Signing Of Alcoa Power Deal To Save 900 Jobs

Governor signs deal for New York Power Authority to provide low cost power to Massena employer

MASSENA (January 12, 2009)—State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today celebrated the signing of an agreement between Alcoa and the New York Power Authority to provide low cost power in exchange for preserving some 900 jobs in Northern New York.

Sen. Aubertine has been involved in the effort to secure this deal since he represented Massena as a member of the Assembly. Though Massena is not in his Senate District, the senator continued his work, pushing to protect these important jobs for the region.

"In tough economic times, we cannot say enough good things about a deal that will guarantee hundreds of hard working North Country residents have jobs for decades to come," Sen. Aubertine said. "This is great news not only for Massena, but all of the north country because of the impact a large company like Alcoa and the good jobs it provides has on the whole region. This is about saving jobs and that is what we’ve done."

"I want to applaud the Power Authority, Alcoa, its local management team, the governor, organized labor and everyone who made this deal a reality," Sen. Aubertine added. "Clearly we were here today to sign a power agreement, but it was also a convergence of assets we have in the North Country, of which the biggest asset is our people, our workforce, our community."