September 9, 2019

Year Remains On Demolishing Closed Indiana Power Plant

The coal-burning Wabash River Generating Station near Terre Haute began operating in 1953 and was closed in 2016. - Duke Energy

The coal-burning Wabash River Generating Station near Terre Haute began operating in 1953 and was closed in 2016.

Duke Energy

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Crews still have another year of demolition work remaining on a western Indiana power plant that Duke Energy shut down in 2016.

The coal-burning Wabash River Generating Station near Terre Haute began operating in 1953 and was closed after Duke decided that upgrading with new pollution controls for current air pollution standards was too expensive.

The (Terre Haute) Tribune-Star reports the four-year demolition project has included removal of asbestos and 121,000 gallons of transformer oil. A 452-foot tall smokestack was imploded in January 2018.

Duke site manager Mike Wertz says work is being done to salvage some of the plant's estimated 60,000 tons of carbon steel. He says implosion of its 630-foot long main turbine house is planned for spring 2020.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

LGBTQ+ advocacy group hosts 'Day of Play' as NCAA board reviews transgender athlete policy
Lawmaker says eliminating sex crimes statute of limitations needs more study after bill dies
EPA announces new rules to increase oversight, regulation of toxic coal ash waste in Indiana