TL: Quebec Aluminum Industry Crisis
SO: Greenpeace Quebec (GP)
DT: January 26, 1994
Keywords: energy quebec canada aluminum greenpeace /


PRESS RELEASE
                                            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


GREENPEACE QUEBEC URGES MINISTER CHRISTOS SIRROS 
TO ACT IN ALUMINUM INDUSTRY CRISIS


Montr‚al, January 26th 1994 -- According to Greenpeace Qu‚bec the
collapse of the price paid for aluminum on the international
market causes a direct threat to the Qu‚bec smelters. The
aluminum industry in Qu‚bec could be faced with a ten per cent
cut of it's production, which in turn would lower electricity
demand of the industrial sector, the most energy intensive sector
in the
province.
In this context it is clear that Hydro-Qu‚bec stands to lose even
more revenues than it had expected with it's infamous secret
contracts with the industry.

® We know Hydro-Qu‚bec has always refused to reopen the contracts
and this is why we urge minister Sirros to intervene and order
Hydro-Qu‚bec to use it's right to renegociate the contracts ¯
commented Fran‡ois Tanguay, energy campaigner for Greenpeace
Qu‚bec.

Some smelters pay as little as 1.8 cent per kilowatt-hour.
It would seem that the reasonable thing to do would be to ask 
for the industrial L rate that is at present at about 3.4 cents.

Greenpeace bases it's position today on information received
regarding the negotiations that were held in Brussels last
January 18th and 19th between the Western block producers and the
Russian negotiating team.

The western countries it seems have offered to lower their
production by 10 % for a year, as well they would  help modernize
the russian industry and contribute in establishing a value added
sector.

The Russians for their part would join the world market and play
by the rules thus ensuring the West better control over world
markets.

® We would like to know from Minister Sirros if Qu‚bec is part of
the Canadian n‚gotiating team and what is the position of his
government regarding these important negotiations, the outcome of
which could be critical for the Quebec economy ? ¯ added M.
Tanguay




For more information, please contact:
Fran‡ois Tanguay, Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Qu‚bec
Tel: (514) 933 0021  ext. 3009