CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Appalachian Power is offering to have its customers pay about $60 million to help Century Aluminum restart a plant in Ravenswood.

The utility made the offer Wednesday on the third day of hearings before the state Public Service Commission into Century's request for a special electricity rate for the plant.

Century Aluminum wants to reduce the plant's electricity costs so it can restart the operation. The plant closed in 2009, idling 650 workers.

Century Aluminum has said it is committed to restarting the plant but a reasonable electricity rate is a big hurdle.

Appalachian Power attorney Steven Ferguson says the utility's rate structure isn't an official proposal but is meant as a response to the commission's request to address Century's needs.