Schumer Joins Alcoa Officials for Groundbreaking of Plant Expansion in Massena - Senator Pushed EPA Review Over the Finish Line to Clear the Way for Alcoa's Modernization & Expansion

Press Release

Today, at Alcoa Inc. in Massena, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined local officials, Alcoa executives and workers to break ground on the expansion and modernization of their manufacturing facility in Massena. Alcoa plans to invest over $600 million in the facility that will create hundreds of new permanent jobs on top of the construction jobs created to carry out the expansion. In addition, Alcoa will continue its investment in river cleanup as a part of their modernization efforts. Schumer has been a long-time advocate for the Alcoa plant in Massena: earlier this year he successfully pushed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expedite an environmental review that will mean significant investment in cleanup efforts while still being balanced, and allowing Alcoa to commit to this expansion. In 2007, he fought for low-cost energy in St. Lawrence County and worked to convince state officials of such a plan, so that plants like Alcoa could continue to be an economic engine for the region. Schumer noted that Alcoa is the region's largest private-sector employer and the expansion of its aluminum operating facility -- as well as their proposed efforts to continue cleanup of the riverbed -- will boost jobs, economic growth and improve the environment.

"After years or uncertainty, delay and hurdles on the federal and state level, all that's left is to get shovels in the ground, champagne corks in the air, and hundreds of new paychecks signed, sealed and delivered to Alcoa workers. Alcoa, our region's largest private sector employer is breaking ground on a multi-million modernization and expansion at the Massena plant and I am thrilled to put the shovel in the ground on this exciting project," said Schumer. "This will create jobs, boost the local economy and -- now with the riverbed cleanup moving forward -- improve the environment. I was proud to fight for Alcoa throughout the years and now our hard work and faith have been rewarded--this investment will anchor Alcoa and its jobs in St. Lawrence County for decades to come."

Schumer joined Congressman Bill Owens, Alcoa officials and other community leaders for this long-awaited groundbreaking. Schumer highlighted that this investment will retain and add hundreds of jobs in St. Lawrence County, ensuring it will be an economic engine and job creator for decades to come.

After years of delay and uncertainty, Alcoa will move forward with its $600 million investment in Alcoa's East Plant, which is expected to create construction and permanent jobs, estimated to be in the hundreds. The groundbreaking had been put on hold until an EPA review and cleanup assessment were released in April 2013, due to the fact that Alcoa was uncertain of the costs it would incur to help clean up the riverbed. Schumer therefore pushed for an expedited EPA review and release of the final Record of Decision (ROD), and urged the EPA not to dramatically increase the cost assessment of the cleanup so as to put Alcoa's investment at risk. At the time, Schumer said that with the completion of a final ROD, the company would have a better understanding of the terms and costs of their requirements to clean up the river, and would be able to move forward with additional job-creating investments via the Massena plant modernization. Schumer successfully petitioned the EPA for an expedited review, which was released in April 2013. In addition, the final ROD did not increase in cost from the $245 million detailed in the EPA's preliminary estimations--so Alcoa's $600 million expansion and modernization is now moving forward.

Schumer has worked closely with Alcoa and local stakeholders over the past two years to ensure that the federal EPA moved swiftly and fairly in that process, which had dragged on for a number of years. The EPA released its Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) for the cleanup of pollutants in the river in October 2012. Schumer said it must occur in April, because all due diligence has been completed, and failure to grant final approval for the cleanup serves no substantive purpose and would only delay in work on modernization of the Massena operations. Schumer was able to secure the release of the necessary PRAP and ROD that led to the groundbreaking today. The river cleanup is estimated to cost about $245 million.

Schumer visited Alcoa in August 2012 and launched his effort for the EPA and other relevant federal agencies to approve and expedite the publication of the PRAP. In August, the EPA heeded Schumer's call and released its plan for the cleanup of pollutants in the Grasse River in Massena, which he said would help boost and expedite Alcoa's plans to improve the local environment and upgrade its manufacturing operations in Massena.

Schumer applauded the recent deal between the New York Power Authority and Alcoa Inc. Schumer has long fought for a low-cost electricity deal and at a critical point in the process under Governor Spitzer, Senator Schumer made it clear that New York State and the New York Power Authority should prioritize a relationship with Alcoa, and move aggressively to lock in a long-term deal to support and sustain this critical North Country employer.

As the largest private employer in the North Country, with over 1,000 manufacturing jobs, Alcoa is a critical fixture in Massena and other local communities. The $600 million for modernizations and upgrades will ensure the future of the Massena operations for at least three decades. The PRAP, which was released by the EPA in October 2012, includes the capping and dredging of industrial waste in the Grasse River. Alcoa has already exhibited expertise in employing successful capping and dredging methods in the Grasse River over the past 23 years.

Specifically, the plan calls for dredging of contaminated sediment from the river basin and capping of other segments in the river in order to contain hazardous sediment and isolate pollutants. The Grasse River, a tributary of the St. Lawrence River, flows from the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, through the towns of Canton and Massena in the St. Lawrence Valley, and meets the St. Lawrence River downstream of Massena. Large parts of the Grasse River are popular with anglers, since it is stocked with a variety of trout and bass species. As a result of elevated PCB levels found in fish in the area, the lower Grasse River has been placed under fish consumption advisory by the New York State Department of Health.

Alcoa Inc. is a New York-based company that specializes in mining, refining, smelting, fabricating and recycling aluminum. The company is currently the world's third largest aluminum producer and maintains operations in 31 countries. Alcoa's Massena, NY facility is the longest continually operating aluminum facility in the world, currently employing over 1,000 people, and contributing $340 million to the local economy annually through payroll, taxes, and contributions to community events. Alcoa Inc. is also the largest private sector employer north of Syracuse and has been a vital part of the Massena community since 1902. The company is committed to both the human and environmental success of the region, and has been a key player in the restoration of the area along the Grasse and St. Lawrence rivers. Through funding and continuous research, Alcoa plans to monitor and reduce its ecological footprint in the region, while helping to revitalize its natural surroundings.

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