Noranda Loses Bid To Obtain Lower Electrical Charge From Ameren

As expected, the Missouri Public Service Commission has blocked the effort by Noranda Aluminum Inc. to get its electrical bill cut by about 25 percent.

Ameren contended that the cut would have forced rate hikes for most other Missouri customers in the state.

The question now is whether Noranda’s parent company follows through with a threat to close the smelter, near New Madrid, Mo., and the largest non-agricultural operation in southeast Missouri. Noranda employs about 900 people.

The commission announced Wednesday that it voted unanimously, 5-0, to reject Noranda’s request to lower the rate it is charged to $30 a megawatt hour, down from the $41 a megawatt hour that it pays now.

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