Loss of green smelter highlights Kentucky’s need for clean electricity

By: Maria Gallucci, Canary Media

Outlets: Kentucky Lantern

Published: February 12, 2026

Words: 1,514

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

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This story was originally published by Canary Media.

When I first met John Holbrook at his office in Northeastern Kentucky, the region seemed to be on the cusp of a revival. It was a scorching summer day in 2024, and Century Aluminum was considering building an enormous smelter in this corner of Appalachia — one that would create thousands of jobs in an area where employment was steadily drying up.

Holbrook, who heads …

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