New development in the Century Aluminum/Big Rivers saga | News

There's a new development in the energy feud between Century Aluminum and Big Rivers Electric.

The Hancock County company recently sent a notice to the utility signaling its next move.

Big Rivers says it received a notice from Century late last Friday saying that the smelter plans to purchase power on the open market.

The company planned to address that decision during its board meeting Friday.

Big Rivers says the notice contained a number of requirements that still have to be discussed. They says it suggested the idea of Century buying power from the open market back in May and they originally had some interest in it.

Because of that, officials with Big Rivers say they aren't completely surprised that they received the notice.

However, they add that they are surprised that it comes after the 12-month termination notice last month.

"We view the termination notice as a valid notice and we're taking measures to mitigate the impact, so we have to do that, and we're just trying to balance a couple balls in the air at the same time," said Mark Bailey with Big Rivers.

Big Rivers says it's too early to tell how this will affect future negotiations. A statement from Century says the smelter is unable to comment further on the requirements in the notice at this time.  

Century officials told 14 News last month the contract termination notice doesn't mean the plant is closing. Officials said the smelter will remain operating as long as the economy remains stable. Century aluminum employs more than 700 workers.