Aluminum’s unmatched strength-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity make it indispensable for military and commercial applications like missile systems, armor plating, vehicles, and transmission lines. However, the U.S. faces an aluminum crisis, with domestic smelting and primary production at historic lows.
Energy abundance is necessary to reverse this decline. Surging power demand and high electricity prices are exacerbating other challenges facing the domestic industry. The result is shuttered smelters, lack of new investments, and increasing import reliance—widening the competitive gap between the U.S. and abundant, low-cost energy nations like China, Canada, and Norway.
With electricity accounting for 40% of total production costs, providing firm, affordable, baseload power and a robust, efficient transmission network is essential to restoring American aluminum competitiveness. Without it, the nation risks losing its remaining smelters—further increasing its reliance on imports and compromising national security.
Read our full fact sheet on the energy solution to America’s aluminum problem.
