Power Crunch Puts Thousands Of Jobs On The Line

May 15, 2001 By Tracy Vedder

SEATTLE - Thousands of jobs in our region are on the line because of the power crunch. Over the next few weeks, the public agency that controls the power switch will decide which jobs are more important.

From the apple orchards of Eastern Washington, to the steel mill in the heart of Seattle, and to any school in the state, jobs are on the line.

That's the message from a group of industry and utility leaders fighting for your attention.

"So if the aluminum companies get a special deal," says Jerry Leone, manager of a trade association representing consumer power co-ops, "the job lost will be yours."

BPA Wants Aluminum Plants To Close For 2 Years

At the center of the fight are the region's aluminum plants. The Bonneville Power Administration says it doesn't have enough power to serve all its customers. So it's asking aluminum, the biggest user, to shut down for two years.

"It's about jobs for hard-working men and women," says an emotional ad campaign launched by the aluminum industry three weeks ago. The campaign begs the BPA not to "turn its back" on the industry and its 7,000 jobs. Instead, aluminum wants BPA to cut back the amount of power it sells everyone equally.

'We Are All Going To Suffer'

But BPA says providing power to aluminum means raising rates to "everybody else" by 250 percent next fall.

"We're all going to suffer until we get this energy crisis back under control," says Aaron Jones of the Rural Electric Cooperative. "We cannot have special deals for one group versus another."

The group of utilities and businesses argues a 250 percent rate hike would cost the region more than 50,000 jobs.

If you hold one of those jobs the answer is very simple. "Everybody should share the burden equally," says Brian Trocano of Birmingham Steel. Easy to say, as long as it's not your job on the line.

http://www.komotv.com/news/story.asp?ID=11121

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), May 15, 2001

Answers

I knew there was a draught in the Northwest, but never realized the electricity shortage was that bad there.

-- Nancy7 (nancy7@hotmail.com), May 15, 2001.

Taking jobs away is bull! The workers of this country make this country great!Every business you close efects other busineses. We all must share this hard time but not at the cost of jobs!! This state will fall and no one will wait for two years while they have bills and family to feed. Cut all air conditioners in stores and food places, leave it for hospitals and old folks homes.We must shape up now or freeze this fall.Must keep jobs, keep economy strong!!

-- Sherry K Breeden (maxandalex@webtv.net), May 17, 2001.