NEW YORK - Alcoa was recognized as a 2005 Outstanding Stewardship of America's Rivers (OSAR) award recipient by the National Hydropower Association today during a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. Alcoa was given the distinction for its outstanding achievement regarding the Tapoco Hydroelectric Project in Tennessee and North Carolina led by Alcoa Power Generating Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alcoa. This project involved Alcoa's release of water into two by-passed reaches of the Little Tennessee and the Cheoah Rivers in Tennessee and North Carolina, and the protection of nearly 10,000 acres of land within the Little Tennessee River watershed. It also included granting The Nature Conservancy, at no cost, permanent conservation easements on about 5,900 acres and term conservation easements on an additional 3,975 acres of Alcoa-owned land.

Alcoa's environmental accomplishment will be featured in The Outstanding Stewardships of America's Rivers (OSAR) report created by NHA, which presents exemplary examples of hydropower's ability to generate clean, renewable, reliable and affordable electricity while protecting the riverine ecosystem. Projects are chosen for inclusion in the report by a committee of judges, representing the water quality community, the NGO community, and the hydropower industry.

"The Tapoco Hydroelectric Project is sustainability in action," said Kevin Anton, President, Alcoa Materials Management. "The preservation of thousands of jobs, solid guarantees of protected resources affecting a myriad of plant and animal life, and our organization's ability to keep its hydropower operating license another 40 years ... are all positive outcomes from this project."

"The Alcoa Tapoco project is an excellent example of responsible corporate stewardship. The cooperative approach adopted by a broad range of Tennessee and Cheoah Rivers stakeholders will benefit the environment now and far into the future through significant water management strategies and conservation easements," said George Martin, 2005 president of the NHA.

The National Hydropower Association began the OSAR recognition and report in 1999 because of the importance of America's rivers and the critical role hydropower plays as their stewards. The report is available on the Internet at www.outstandingrivers.org

About Tapoco - Alcoa Power Generating Inc.

Tapoco is a division of the Alcoa Power Generating Inc (APGI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Alcoa. The Tapoco Division of APGI supplies electric power to Alcoa's Tennessee Operations, an aluminum smelting and rolling mill, located in Alcoa, Tennessee. Tapoco owns and operates the Tapoco Project, a four development hydroelectric project located on the Little Tennessee and Cheoah Rivers in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 42 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com

Alcoa Inc.

Alcoa Inc.

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap® foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa® wheels, and Baco® household wraps. Among its other businesses are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com

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