Alcoa idles half aluminum production at Texas smelter

NEW YORK, June 19 (Reuters) - Aluminum producer Alcoa Inc (AA.N) said on Thursday it will temporarily idle half the production at its Rockdale, Texas, smelter because of local power supply problems.

Three of the plant's six operating potlines -- representing approximately 120,000 metric tons per year of production -- have been shut down as a result of the electricity supply interruptions and local market energy costs increasing to as much as $2,000 to $4,000 per megawatt hour during peak time, the company said.

Output at the remaining three potlines is planned to continue using contracted long-term power, Alcoa said.

As a result of the temporary idling, the company will begin laying off approximately 250 people at the plant.

(Reporting by Steve James)