Surcharge Information

Energy Surcharge by Month

There will be no surcharge for January 2025 shipments.
6xxx: $0.000/lb. All other alloys: $0.000/lb.

6xxx Alloys ($/lb)
Month of Shipment Month of DOE data Natural Gas (a) Electricity (b) Diesel (c) Surcharge (a+b+c)
Jan-25 Nov-24 $0.0000 $0.0062 $0.0031 WAIVED
Other Alloys *($/lb)
Month of Shipment Month of DOE data Natural Gas (a) Electricity (b) Diesel (c) Surcharge (a+b+c)
Jan-25 Nov-24 $0.0000 $0.0165 $0.0031 WAIVED

* all 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, 2xxx and 7xxx series alloys

Indices

2007 Average Energy Prices
Natural Gas
($ / mcf)
Electricity
($ / kwh)
Diesel
($ / gal)
2007 Average $7.1830 $0.0635 $2.8820
Monthly Average Energy Prices
Month of
DOE data
Natural Gas
($ / mcf)
Electricity
($ / kwh)
Diesel
($ / gal)
Jan-24 $3.3040 $0.0853 $3.8540
Feb-24 $1.7871 $0.0779 $4.0440
Mar-24 $1.5481 $0.0742 $4.0220
Apr-24 $1.6624 $0.0720 $4.0020
May-24 $2.2027 $0.0754 $3.8220
Jun-24 $2.6391 $0.0826 $3.7220
Jul-24 $2.1507 $0.0836 $3.8100
Aug-24 $2.0572 $0.0868 $3.7000
Sep-24 $2.3666 $0.0856 $3.5580
Oct-24 $2.2836 $0.0803 $3.5850
Nov-24 $2.0968 $0.0776 $3.5220

Index information is reflected on date listed and is not updated with DOE revisions.

The above prices are quoted by the Department of Energy on its web site:
Diesel: http://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=EMD_EPD2D_PTE_NUS_DPG&f=M
Gas & Electric: STEO_m_Gas & Electricity.xls
 

Calculation – How Surcharges are Calculated

The energy surcharge reflects the increase in costs for natural gas, electricity, and diesel fuel as compared to the average prices of these costs in 2007. For example, the average prices in November 2024 and average prices for 2007 for these commodities were:

November 20242007 Base PriceDollars per Unit
Natural Gas$2.0968$7.1830Henry Hub, 000’s of cubic feet (mcf)
Electricity$0.0776$0.0635US Industrial; Kilowatt-hours (KWh)
Diesel$3.5220$2.8820US retail, per gallon

Monthly prices are available on the DOE web site approximately the middle of the following month. When known, such prices will apply to the calculation for products shipped in the next following month. For example, prices for November 2024 are posted on the DOE web site in mid-December, and such November prices will apply to the energy surcharge calculation for all scheduled shipments in January 2025.

For each commodity, the change in price for each month (compared to the 2007 base average price) will be multiplied by a usage factor for each commodity for (a) 6xxx alloys products and (b) all other alloy products. Those factors will remain constant and are:

Usage per
pound
6xxx AlloysOther AlloysUnits
Natural Gas0.00630.0086mcf / pound
Electricity0.43711.1704KWh / pound
Diesel0.00480.0048gallons / pound

Continuing with the example above, orders scheduled to ship in January 2025 will reflect the following energy surcharge:

6xxx AlloysExample: November 2024 DOE prices applied to January 2025 Orders
Natural GasElectricityDiesel Fuel
November 2024 Prices$2.0968$0.0776$3.5220
Base 2007
Average Prices
$7.1830$0.0635$2.8820
Difference-$5.0862$0.0141$0.6400
Usage Factor per lb0.0063
(mcf/lb)
0.4371
(kwh/lb)
0.0048
(gal/lb)
Dollars per pound$0.0000$0.0062$0.0031WAIVED
(a)(b)(c)(a+b+c)
Other Alloys*Example: November 2024 DOE prices applied to January 2025 Orders
Natural GasElectricityDiesel Fuel
November 2024 Prices$2.0968$0.0776$3.5220
Base 2007
Average Prices
$7.1830$0.0635$2.8820
Difference-$5.0862$0.0141$0.6400
Usage Factor per lb0.0086
(mcf/lb)
1.1704
(kwh/lb)
0.0048
(gal/lb)
Dollars per pound$0.0000$0.0165$0.0031WAIVED
(a)(b)(c)(a+b+c)

* all 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, 2xxx and 7xxx series alloys

For convenience, the attached worksheet will allow the calculation of the energy surcharge for historical months or projected months, as the surcharge may apply to pounds shipped. Inputs required are the relevant monthly prices for natural gas, electricity, and diesel fuel as well as the pounds of 6xxx alloy or other alloy products.
 

Explanation – Why have we implemented an energy surcharge?

During 2008, costs for natural gas, electricity and diesel fuel increased dramatically over the prior year. While Kaiser Aluminum absorbed increases over previous years, the escalation required us to adjust our pricing accordingly via the implementation of a surcharge.

We will pass on increases in these costs above a baseline of 2007 levels and concluded that a surcharge is the best vehicle to address this issue. We maintain the data and tracking mechanisms used to support the surcharge on the Kaiser Aluminum Web Site to allow our customers to regularly monitor these commodity costs as they relate to their products.