Released on: September 11, 2008, 8:10 am

Press Release Author: MMI ASSOCIATES, INC.

Industry: Environment

Press Release Summary: Radio Program Allows Dunevant And Alcoa Representative To
Present Views Regarding Ongoing Relicensing, Water Resources And Related Topics

Press Release Body: STANLY COUNTY, N.C. – Lindsey Dunevant, a member of both the
Stanly County Board of Commissioners and the N.C. Water Rights Committee, has
initiated a monthly program on radio station 1010 AM WSPC to discuss the Yadkin
Hydroelectric Project, its effect on Stanly’s water resources and other related
topics. The station invited Dunevant as well as Gene Ellis, licensing and property
manager with Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (“Alcoa”), to deliver separate arguments
regarding the issues.

In his first presentation, Dunevant expressed how he and leaders across the state
favor federal recapture with subsequent transfer to the state of North Carolina for
the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project. Dunevant argues that because Alcoa has exclusive
hydroelectric operations on the upper Yadkin – and will maintain that exclusive
status for another 50 years if FERC grants a license – it will allow Alcoa an unfair
monopoly of North Carolina water rights for generations. This type of monopoly,
according to Dunevant, would allow Alcoa to exploit one of the state’s largest
natural resources and allow the multinational corporation to make considerable
profits selling electricity outside the state. Another major concern echoed by
Dunevant and Alcoa opponents is that Alcoa has failed to address environmental
concerns from its operations in Stanly County.

Dunevant’s comments first aired on the Sept. 4 newscasts for WSPC and its sister
station WZKY. They can be found on the WSPC Web site here:
www.1010wspc.com/WSPCWZKYLocalNews.htm. Listeners can contact WSPC to provide their
reaction to the comments. Dunevant’s statements will be appearing once a month over
WSPC for the foreseeable future.

Regarding the Project’s current status, the state’s Environmental Review Commission
(ERC) will study and develop proposals this fall in connection with the federal
relicensing proceeding, which will govern if Alcoa receives an exclusive license for
the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project, and report them by Feb. 1, 2009. At stake is an
estimated $45 million in annual electric power revenue and water rights that Alcoa’s
opponents across the state believe should be subject to the control for the people,
not for the benefit of a private multinational corporation. The water rights to
generate electricity over the next 50 years are conservatively valued in excess of
$10 billion.

The Yadkin Hydroelectric Project has four hydroelectric stations, dams and
reservoirs along a 38-mile stretch of the Yadkin River, one of the longest rivers in
North Carolina and one of its greatest natural resources. The four water reservoirs
are High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows and Falls. The Yadkin-Pee Dee Watershed as a
whole includes 21 counties and contains 93 state municipalities.

Quotes:
“I am very pleased that our local radio station believes the Yadkin Hydroelectric
Project and other water-related issues are so important that they merit several
minutes of its airtime for both sides to present their beliefs,” said Dunevant. “I
urge anyone with any interest in the Yadkin River or Stanly County to take time and
listen to WSPC or its Web site to hear what we have to say and why it is so
important that we act now to preserve our natural resources and regain our state’s
water rights.”

Related Links:
www.1010wspc.com
www.ncwaterrights.com
www.mmimarketing.com/blog/?c=Yadkin-Hydroelectric-Project

About This Effort:
In 1958, Alcoa, the world’s leading producer of primary aluminum, secured a federal
hydroelectric license for the Yadkin Project on the Yadkin River in Stanly,
Davidson, Montgomery and Rowan Counties in the Central Piedmont. In return, Alcoa
promised aluminum manufacturing jobs for Stanly County for years to come. Alcoa has
now essentially disappeared as a major employer in the region and shut down its
manufacturing plants, but it wants to continue reaping the benefits of the Yadkin
River after its license expired in April of this year. In addition, Alcoa
discharged hazardous pollutants into North Carolina air and waterways for decades
while harvesting immense profits from the Yadkin River, but has yet to finish
cleaning up that contamination. It has filed an application with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) to obtain another 50-year license. If Alcoa is
successful, one of North Carolina’s most valuable water resources will be used to
maximize Alcoa’s profits, instead of being used to benefit the people of North
Carolina, who themselves are in dire need of affordable electricity, local economic
development, and clean, adequate drinking water.

About the N.C. Water Rights Committee:
The N.C. Water Rights Committee is a coalition of North Carolina businesses and
concerned citizens who have joined this state-wide effort to inform citizens of the
critical issues and decisions concerning water rights that affect all North
Carolinians now and for many decades to come. For more information, visit
www.ncwaterrights.org.

Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
(919) 233-6600
patty@mmimarketing.com
PR Firms Raleigh, NC

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Web Site: http://www.mmimarketing.com

Contact Details: Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
(919) 233-6600
patty@mmimarketing.com
PR Firms Raleigh, NC