Terry, thank you for your somewhat terse reply to my post. While I may not be completely up to date on the state of aluminum suppliers in the US, I am pretty sure that the imposition of stiff tariffs on imported aluminum will have an impact on Boeing or any other major aircraft or automotive manufacturer. One reason why Canada can produce aluminum at a lower cost is due to the availability of low cost hydropower in British Columbia. Aluminum smelters use a lot of electricity, and that simple fact gives them an advantage. Even assuming the American companies, some of whom also make aluminum in Canada, can produce the volume you suggest, it will still cost more due to the basic cost of production. Either way, prices will still go up. As for the other points I made, I stand by them. Thanks for your input.
Aluminum smelters in the US are in eastern Washington state; where power is also cheap. And increasing output or starting up again to replace Canadian Aluminum is doable. But not to worry, I am urging all metro people to get their wilderness experience in Canada. Prices may go up in the short run, but not the long run because the cost to produce Aluminum will be front a center in America and adjustable due to local considerations.
On the topic of domestic US primary aluminum smelters:
- None of the smelters in the US Pacific Northwest are operational; most have been completely demolished.
The last two operational smelters were Alcoaās ex-Alumax/ex-Intalco smelter in Ferndale WA, and Alcoaās Wenatchee Works in Malaga WA. There were about nine more smelters in Washington, Oregon, and Montanaāsome dating back to pre-World War IIābut demand for electricity by the large cities (including Los Angeles) caused Bonneville Power and the other regional hydroelectric-based utilities to terminate their direct-service (i.e., low-cost) supply contracts to the aluminum companies beginning in the 1980s.
-
The only US domestic aluminum smelters operating today are:
A) Alcoa Warrick Operations, Newburgh IN (3 operating potlines, one curtailed, two demolished)
B) Alcoa Massena Operations, Massena NY (1 operating potline; built 1976āfive demolished)
C) Century Aluminum Sebree KY (3 operating potlines)
D) Century Aluminum Mt. Holly SC (2 operating potlines) -
There are two smelters that were curtailed within the last five or so years; whether they have been dismantled for scrap or could still be restarted if given a power contract that would permit profitable operation is not known:
A) Century Aluminum Hawesville KY (five potlinesāpromoted as a source of high-purity aluminum for āgovernment operationsā in advertising before being shut down due to unsustainable power costs).
B) Alubar Metals New Madrid MO (ex-Noranda, three potlines)
How do I know about these things?
Thirty years with Alcoa as an electrical engineer; the majority of which were in the Warrick smelter.
BTW, there are nine aluminium (Canadian spelling) smelters operating in Canada. Eight of the nine are located in Quebec, only Rio Tintoās ex-Alcan smelter in Kitimat BC is located outside Quebec.
Lots of nice hydropower in Canada.
If DJT had known to ask me, I would have told him that tarriffing Canadian aluminum production was going to be counterproductiveāthere is essentially no US domestic smelting capacity available to be restarted anywhere.
Alcoaās CEO William Oplinger made the same points in an interview a few days ago.
Michael, that was one hell of a solid breakdown. Your analysis slices through the BS. 
Look again!
US production of aluminum has decreased because of rising cost of electricity, aging plants, and pollution concerns. Widely reported in media.
Yes, lower price from Canada is probably a big factor.
Thankyou for providing Facts.
Um, there were smelters in the Tennessee Valley for many decades, because of the TVA flood control dams.
One thing to note is that traditional smelters require uninterrupted electrical supply.
3/1/2025
Thanks.
Which means to me, with Tarriffs, Aluminum production
in the US should increase or go through a renaissance.
It will likely take 1 to 3 years to see most of the movement;
would be my guess. And it appears to be just the thing
to do.
Do I read that the TVA is building a fossil fuel electrical plant?
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