Nixon addresses Noranda jobs concern during Kennett visit

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon visited southeast Missouri last Thursday, with Dunklin County stops in Kennett (pictured) and Campbell.

While in Kennett last Thursday to address Kennett High School students, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon took time to answer questions about Noranda Aluminum's thus-far unsuccessful attempts to lower its Ameren Missouri electric rate, something it has been pushing for since February. After state regulators denied the initial request, Noranda announced, in early fall, that it would lay off 125 to 200 people at its New Madrid smelter over the next six months. As of the beginning of the year, it employed about 900 people. 23 employees were laid off in September, and the company offered retirement packages to another 27 workers, who must decide by this week whether to take the buyout.

Noranda produces primary aluminum products at the New Madrid smelter facility.

"First of all, we appreciate and know how important aluminum is to our country, and Noranda is to Missouri. I was disappointed the Public Service Commission didn't take the compromise, after all the hearings. I thought that was something that could have made sure we protected the ability of Noranda to be a player. We certainly aren't stepping to the side there. It's really important, for our region and for our state and for our country, that the aluminum company stays strong and continues to make its products," Nixon said. "As I said in my comments earlier, the new Ford F-150 is an aluminum truck. It's military-grade aluminum. The demand for aluminum is going up. The issues they've had to deal with there are on power, and we're going to continue to work on those, and do the best we can to get them solved, to keep those people working, and keep us, as a country, producing aluminum, and not lose that industry to China or some other country."

The Ford F-150 is currently being assembled at the Kansas City plant and will begin arriving at dealerships next month.

Earlier this month, Noranda reported a smaller-than-expected third-quarter loss, but a slowdown at the New Madrid plant didn't allow it to take full advantage of rises in aluminum prices. Equipment failures caused the facility to produce 5 percent below normal volumes.

The smelter has been pushing for a lower electric rate from St. Louis-based Ameren Missouri since February.

The smelter has been pushing for a lower electric rate from St. Louis-based Ameren Missouri since February.