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Noranda President and CEO Layle K. "Kip" Smith is flanked by elected officials and dignitaries at a press conference in this August, 2014, photo at the New Madrid smelter. SEMO TIMES photo by Steve Hankins   NEW MADRID - In the wake of a recent announcement by the region's leading employer that could leave as many as 200 Bootheel workers jobless, a state panel might rethink its stance regarding energy costs to the plant. Layle K. "Kip" Smith, president and chief executive officer of Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp., said the decision by Missouri's Public Services Commission (PSC) regarding a competitive energy rate is to blame for the impending lay off of between 125 and 200 workers during the next six

JEFFERSON CITY – State Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, strongly supports today’s filing by the Office of Public Counsel (OPC) to the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) for an affordable electric rate for Noranda. The PSC denied their initial request last month, leading to Noranda starting the process of reducing their workforce at the New Madrid aluminum plant by up to 200 jobs over the next six months. “For Noranda to compete in these economic conditions, the PSC must grant this rehearing and approve the consumer-friendly OPC compromise. Without the leadership of the PSC, these 900 family sustaining jobs could be lost and the economy of the Bootheel could be permanently damaged,” stated Sen. Libla. “The viability of Noranda’s plant

Jefferson City — State Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, voiced his concern over the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) vote to dismiss a case filed by Noranda Aluminum, Inc., and others against Ameren Missouri. “I am very disappointed in this decision by the PSC,” Sen. Libla said. “Noranda Aluminum has been paying what many people consider to be an overly high electric rate. Rates for many businesses and households would be significantly higher if it weren’t for Noranda, and without them those rates would increase even more. Ameren has raised the electricity cost at the Noranda New Madrid plant by $44 million since 2009. These rate hikes have made Noranda significantly less competitive. They currently pay the second highest electricity

New Madrid, Mo. – Today, the Public Service Commission delivered what is expected to be a fatal blow to the area’s largest employer, Noranda Aluminum, by denying a compromise rate adjustment that would have kept the plant in business. The commission, made up entirely of members along the I-70 corridor, sided with Ameren UE in stating that the loss of 1,000 jobs in the poorest part of the state was not worthy to take action on. “This is a very, very difficult public policy decision and the impact would be felt statewide. Noranda failed to show that their current rate is causing a crisis of liquidity. I hope the parties can continue to work together to solve this issue,” said

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Noranda, an aluminum smelter based in New Madrid, is the largest employer in Southeast Missouri with over 888 employees. Located in the St. Jude Industrial Park, the plant covers over 3000 acres with more than 40 acres under roof. Electricity is one-third of all operational expenses for Noranda; last year they paid Ameren $160,000,000 for electricity. Ameren’s rate to Noranda has increased by 40% since 2007, and more than $44M since 2009. Noranda requested the Public Service Commission to reduce their electric rate from Ameren stating that without a reduction it would be difficult for them to keep the factory open. There’s been an epidemic of aluminum smelter shutdowns over the recent years as 32 smelters