NAR queries Alcoa energy costs

The National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) is calling on Government to state the cost at which energy would be sold to the smelter companies — Alcoa and Alutrint.

In a release issued on Thursday, Gloria Henry, General Secretary of the NAR noted that “the energy the smelters would use would more than double the total amount we consume domestically.”

“Will the rates given to locals go up while the Government subsidises Alcoa and Alutrint? What economic benefits will the country receive from the deals with these companies?” Henry asked.

She said the NAR is asking Government to revisit the smelter plants issue to clear up misinformation and lack of information, and to show more concern for the people of TT. “There have been enough questions asked about Alcoa, to warrant Government revisiting the issue,” she said. Henry said Alcoa had been talking about their Australia smelter but on a per capita basis.

But, she claimed, Australia was the “worst greenhouse polluter in the world,” with per capita emissions seven times higher than China and sixteen times higher than India.

“Every country must be able to discern whether a particular industrial plant is of benefit to it, or a threat. If it is progress, or suicide,” Henry said.