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PROTECTING NORTH CAROLINA’S WATER RESOURCES
North Carolina’s water resources are not in jeopardy as a result of relicensing —and never have been.
Fact: Hydro Operations Do Not Consume Water from the Yadkin River
Our hydropower generators do not consume or redirect water from the Yadkin River. The water simply passes through our turbines to generate clean, renewable energy, which offsets the need for carbon-based energy sources. APGI’s ownership of the property along the Yadkin River allows for this reasonable use of the water.
Fact: Alcoa Earns Praise for Drought Management
Our management of the water supply during the current drought has earned praise from state agencies, local homeowners associations and South Carolina users. It is one example of how we are working with stakeholders to find solutions and protect the water supply during periods of scarcity.
The new license will include a drought management plan that protects North Carolina’s water supply by requiring APGI to send less water downstream and reduce hydropower generation during times of drought. This agreement was negotiated between state agencies in North Carolina and South Carolina, local homeowners and recreational users, and industrial users who rely on water resources.
APGI has voluntarily adopted many of the plan’s elements during the current drought with tremendous success. By working closely with North Carolina state agencies and others, APGI has kept water levels at our reservoirs along the Yadkin River well above their historical averages throughout this prolonged drought. All reservoirs in the Yadkin Project are currently within 18 inches of full.
Fact: FERC Process for Water Withdrawals
FERC has approved procedures that provide for new water withdrawals. These procedures, developed in concert with North Carolina agencies, will not change as a result of the relicensing process.
"We've been withdrawing water from the Yadkin River since the late 1940s. Alcoa has worked closely with us to obtain FERC approval for our withdrawals, and the Relicensing Settlement Agreement calls for an increase of four to five times the amount of water we currently use," said Whit Whitley, Mayor of Albemarle. "The city of Albemarle supports a new license for Alcoa and looks forward to the many benefits it will provide."
During the current license term, FERC approved three new water withdrawals and allowed a municipal water user to increase its water withdrawals from the Yadkin River.
Click here for more details about water withdrawal procedures
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