Demo crews implode defunct Elrama power plant
Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
Demolition crews used explosives Friday morning to take down a section of the defunct Elrama power plant along the Monongahela River in Union Township.
Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
The Elrama power plant, which was built in 1950 and straddles the county line between Allegheny and Washington along Route 837, once was operated by Duquesne Light Co., but deactivated in 2012 while run by NRG/GenOn.
Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
Friday morning’s demolition of the Elrama power plant brought with it a carnival-like atmosphere with people looking for the best vantage point to watch the spectacle, including along the railroad tracks besides Bunola River Road in Forward Township.
Flash! Bang! Gone! Well, almost.
Demolition crews used explosives Friday morning to take down a section of the defunct Elrama power plant along the Monongahela River in Union Township.
The demo attracted crowds of people who gathered on railroad tracks across the river as simultaneous blasts erupted at the base of the power plant at exactly 9:37 a.m., followed by shock waves that reverberated across the water before most of the main building and several smokestacks came tumbling down.
Elrama Assistant Fire Chief Billy Weeks said the demolition appeared to go “smoothly” as volunteer firefighters were on standby to assist if needed. He said the demolition crews made plans to implode the power plant’s main building Friday, and then would take down the largest smokestack at a later date.
“There was a lot of dust, but the initial explosion went safely,” Weeks said.
However, when the dust settled following the morning demo, it became clear the entire building didn’t collapse, prompting crews to conduct a second blast Friday night to finish the job. State Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Lauren Camarda said inspectors were at the site all day to ensure the demolition was conducted properly.
“DEP has been on-site for the demolition and demo preparation,” she said, adding all proper permits were approved for the work. “A second blast (Friday) evening will be needed to knock down a portion of the building that didn’t fall. More environmental permits or approvals may be required depending on the future use of the site.”
The plant, which was built in 1950 and straddles the county line between Allegheny and Washington along Route 837, once was operated by Duquesne Light Co., but deactivated in 2012 while run by NRG/GenOn and has since changed ownership. Washington County tax assessment records list the property’s current owner as Trogon Development LLC, which has a mailing address in Puerto Rico. Tax records show Trogon purchased the property for $5.13 million from Duquesne Light’s parent company in March 2021.
Another section of the plant was imploded Nov. 1. It’s not known what Trogon’s plans are for the 28-acre property when the site is reclaimed.
Friday morning’s demolition brought with it a carnival-like atmosphere with people looking for the best vantage point to watch the spectacle. Numerous people stood on the railroad tracks beside Bunola River Road in Forward Township to have a front row seat to the action, with some bringing breakfast pastries to munch on while waiting for the demolition that was scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
Mike Lucko of Elizabeth Township was coming home from his evening shift at work when he stopped by to watch the demolition from across the river.
“That was cool. It caught me off guard,” Lucko said of the moment the explosives detonated and sent a shock wave across the river. “You could kinda feel it from over here.”