Update: TransAlta Turns Slightly Lower In US Premarket As Receives US Order to Keep Centralia Unit 2 Available for Additional 90 Days

FINWIRES Analysis

The premarket fade from up 4.5% to slightly negative shows the market initially read the federal availability order as incremental revenue, then reconsidered it as a compliance obligation rather than a profit catalyst. Forced-availability directives keep aging coal capacity online for grid reliability but rarely improve unit economics. The Sept. 13 expiry sets a clear date for renewed retirement uncertainty.

Key Takeaways

Order is compliance burden, not earnings boost

Premarket gain fully reversed on reassessment

Sept. 13 expiry renews retirement uncertainty

(Adding share price price move as third paragraph)

A TransAlta (TA.TO) subsidiary has received an order from the U.S. Energy Department mandating that the Centralia Unit 2 in Washington State remain available for operation for 90 days until Sept. 13, the company said Monday.

Once in effect, TransAlta will continue to comply with the order and to work with the U.S. Energy Department and Washington state government, TransAlta added.

Shares in TA were up $0.07 or near 0.4% to $18.76 in Canada last Friday. Its shares have in recent moments turned slightly negative in US premarket, having been up 4.5% a short time ago.

Air Canada Customer Service Agents Ratify a New Four-Year Contract

Air Canada (AC.TO) customer service agents ratified a new four-year collective contract, Unifor, the union representing the 6,000 employees said on Friday.The union said the new contract raises the agents' compensation by 12% in the first year and 3% in each of the next three years, along with a signing bonus. The also secured improvements to shift premiums, longevity pay, as well as payment for unused sick days carried over from the previous calendar year."This agreement shows what can happen when we put their needs first. We're seeing it with meaningful gains in wages, pensions, benefits and job security, while recognizing the critical role our members play in supporting passengers every day. We are proud of what our bargaining committee achieved on behalf of members from coast-to-coast," Unifor Local 2002 President Tammy Moore said in a statement.

$AC.TO

Kootenay Silver Says Contract Miner Missing Following Accident at Columba Project

Kootenay Silver (KTN.V) said Friday a contract miner working in the F Vein shaft at its Columba project in Mexico was involved in an accident on Thursday.The miner has not yet been located despite ongoing rescue efforts, the company said, adding that it immediately notified the necessary authorities and launched a full investigation into the cause of the incident."We have temporarily stopped all exploration activities while the investigation is ongoing," the company said.Price: $1.42, Change: $-0.03, Percent Change: -2.07%

$KTN.V

Avalon Advanced Materials Appoints PJ Juvekar to Its Board of Directors

Avalon Advanced Materials (AVL.TO) on Friday said it appointed PJ Juvekar to its board of directors, effective June 8.Juvekar currently serves as a Senior Advisor with Boston Consulting Group and also serves as a Senior Advisor to Nouryon, a Carlyle-owned specialty chemicals company, said the company."Juvekar is a former top-ranked Wall Street analyst and accomplished business leader with more than 30 years of experience across capital markets, corporate strategy, and industrial sectors," stated the company.During his more than two decades at Citigroup, Juvekar held several senior leadership positions, ultimately serving as Global Head of Research for Chemicals, Agriculture, and Climate Tech, the company added."PJ brings an exceptional combination of capital markets credibility, industrial sector expertise, and strategic advisory experience that is rarely accessible to a company of Avalon's size," said board chair Alan Ferry. "As Avalon advances toward the next stage of corporate and project development, including expanded engagement with institutional investors, government stakeholders, and strategic industry participants, PJ's perspective and network will be tremendously valuable.."The company's shares were last seen up $0.005 tot $0.06 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

$AVL.TO