Over 500 workers could be off the job in October at the Century Aluminum Plant in Hawesville. The Owensboro Messenger Inquirer reports the company filed notice that it plans to shut down the Hawesville smelter in October. The shutdown does not affect Century’s Sebree operation.
A release from the company cites overcapacity from China and unfavorable trade policies for the move. The release says the plant could resume operation if aluminum prices improve. The announcement comes on the same day of word that the plant has met its cleanup goals and should be removed from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "national priorities list."
The Associated Press reports The former National Southwire Aluminum facility in Hawesville is one of 14 in Kentucky on the list. WDRB-TV in Louisville reports the EPA plans to remove the plant from the priorities list in October, the first in Kentucky to be removed since 2001.