With just days remaining before announcing its rate increase, the Bonneville Power Administration locked in a deal to buy back power from two more aluminum smelters.

It's another move to stave off a regional energy crisis as BPA cobbles together conservation measures and industry shutdowns to keep power prices down.

. . .

The high stakes dispute has put Kaiser's future supply of federal power in question.

As it stands, Kaiser expects Bonneville to deliver its massive allocation beginning Oct. 1.

Bonneville has said it may not serve Kaiser, calling it a rogue company that has violated its contract.

The Spokesman Review

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), June 27, 2001