Stanly County officials vote to end legal fight that has stymied Alcoa dam licensing

ALBEMARLE, North Carolina — Officials in the North Carolina county that's home to a closed Alcoa aluminum smelter are removing a hurdle to the corporation renewing a license for dams that once powered the plant and now produce electricity for sale.

Stanley County commissioners on Monday voted to end efforts to block a state water-quality certification that Alcoa needs to land a federal operating license for up to 50 more years.

Alcoa will give the county $3 million, with $1 million solely for economic development. The company also is offering 20 acres for a potential water treatment plant and support for more water withdrawals from the Yadkin River.

The dams supplied power to an Alcoa plant that once employed nearly 1,000 in Stanly County. The company now sells the electricity and keeps any profits.

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