Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Representative John Carter (TX-31) praised the House Appropriations Committee for providing $2 million for advanced light weight metals technology for aluminum intensive Marine structures, specifically the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).  The funding is included in the Department of Defense FY 2006 Appropriations Bill, which passed the committee today.

            “This is great news for Alcoa and the people of Rockdale,” said Carter, who made request.

            Alcoa's Rockdale operations produce primary aluminum for use at several Alcoa facilities as well as other customers.  A sizeable portion of its production is shipped to the Alcoa rolling mill in Davenport, Iowa to be fabricated into other products.  These products include the aluminum sheet and plate that will be used in the LCS program. If the LCS moves forward, it will provide a new market for Rockdale's primary production via Alcoa's downstream fabricating system.

            “This has the potential to create future productivity in the Alcoa plant which is good for the people and the economy of Rockdale,” said Carter.