AEP losing its Biggest Customer in Century Aluminum
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Posted: 9:46 PM Feb 5, 2009
AEP losing its Biggest Customer in Century Aluminum
The closure of the Century Plant means Appalachian Power is losing its biggest customer
Reporter: WSAZ News Staff
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The closure of the Century Plant means Appalachian Power is losing its biggest customer.

Century Aluminum paid around 9 million dollars a month for power.

The plant used ten percent of the electricity generated in West Virginia.

That electricity could now be sold to other customers, but if not, the company may have to raise rates.

Jeri Matheney of AEP says they talked with Century about how they could help the company stay open, but in the end the problems in the aluminum market are to blame.

“There was really no way that we could make the difference in that for them, but certainly since they are our largest customer we would rather be receiving some income from then no income, so we certainly were working very hard with them and were hopeful of finding a solution,” Matheney said.

Matheney also says it will take a couple of months for AEP to determine if rate increases are needed.

Any increase would have to be approved by the Public Service Commission.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Jason on Aug 15, 2009 at 11:14 PM

I dont think is has anything to do with losing the 9mil a month it is a big chunk to lose but where has all that money gone? Dont think over the last 10 years AEP has made nothing off of that 9mil a month. Its these union workers makeing $28-$35 bucks an hour and thats just an apprenticeship Crap job. Get real Union workers, your not worth that kind of money plus, plus, plus. Look at the automotive plants, if it wasnt for the govt, those sorry union workers would be eatn cheese sandwiches just like every other "REAL WORKING AMERICAN" I cant wait till the day you guys have to beg and plead for govt help and walk around with picket signs stikn out your buts and a ketchup sandwich in you GUCCI lunchbox. The govt made the unions and now the unions are killing the govt GEEEE how ironic!!!
Posted by: Jerod on Apr 7, 2009 at 03:58 PM

Lots of people are complaing about AEP, but I bet if you worked for AEP it would be different. AEP is just trying to make up for what it lost. And the boilers have been cut back. 45% of the units arent even running due to the lack of need for power. They are increasing the cost of power, and encouraging retirement so they do not have to lay off. I AM an AEP employee, just out of college, and I do not want to lose my job. I have a lot of responsibilities to take care of. I am sorry for all who lost there jobs, but I do not want to lose mine. AEP does have some of the lowest power rates in the country, so lets just deal with it and not thrash companies. The economy will come out of this a a couple of years, and probably be as strong as ever. Complaining about problems won't fix them, but cutting back here and there to save will compensate until the economy rises again.
Posted by: JImmy on Mar 20, 2009 at 10:26 AM

It is not fair for AEP to raise the power rates on customers just because Century Aluminum is not buying power. Furthermore it also would be a crime for AEP to raise rates on customers just so the multimillion dollar Company could recieve a price reduction. That is just not right or fair to the public.
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