STATEMENT FROM SENATOR PATTY RITCHIE ON ALCOA DECISION

I am shocked and disappointed by Alcoa’s decision to cancel its long-term plans to modernize the Massena East smelter and to idle the Massena West smelter. Almost 500 families are being affected by this decision to shift smelting operations off shore.

While I am pleased that Alcoa will continue operating its casthouse, forgings and extrusion operations in Massena, I will be working with local, state and federal officials to review the company’s obligations under the 2007 hydropower contract and develop a strategy to convince Alcoa that its best hope for a successful future is to invest in the people and the community that helped make it a global company.