Springdale power plant documented for history

Allegheny-Kiski Valley Historical Society Board President James Thomas remembers when Springdale was called “The Power City.”

The establishment of the Cheswick Generating Station in 1970, producing 565 megawatts of electricity, was part of the borough’s claim to fame. The location’s proximity to coal mines and the river was the perfect place for the plant, he said.

So when Thomas heard the news of the plant’s April 1 closing, he thought it was a shame. It was the last coal-fired electric power plant in Allegheny County.

“It’s beautiful to me, but it is going with the wave of ‘no fossil fuel.’ That’s the future,” he said.

With the site being repurposed in some fashion, Thomas hopes it can produce more jobs in the Valley. More than 50 jobs were lost as a result of the closure.

GenOn Holdings announced last June that the plant would close permanently in September but later delayed the closure to this month.

At the time, the company blamed the closure on “unfavorable economic conditions, higher costs — including those associated with environmental compliance — an inability to compete with other generation types, and evolving market rules that promote subsidized sources.”

Kentucky-based Charah Solutions took possession of the plant in early April. Remediation work will be done over the next 18 to 24 months. Work will include asbestos abatement, plant demolition and recycling of materials, such as copper and structural steel.

“From there, we would see other options of what the site becomes next,” Charah Solutions Vice President Scott Reschly said.

Nearing a month since its closure, Thomas, along with fellow board member Michael Sherbon and recently retired member Ray Rieser, toured the plant Saturday, April 21. The tour included an outside and inside look.

“It is always nice to look back and see what was in these places for the past,” Thomas said.

Rieser said the trio toured the various offices, such as the central operation control room, and equipment used at the plant. Rieser asked the guide about the status of people’s jobs, the reason for the closure and any major accidents.

He described his time at the plant as “fantastic.”

Coming from a background of computerizing files for the historical society and restoring art objects, documenting history is important to Rieser.

“It was fascinating to me because I was able to look back in time at places back in the older days,” he said.

As head of the Lower Burrell Planning Commission, Rieser puts that mindset into the work they are doing by asking business owners to submit photos and documentation of their businesses if they are to close or be torn down.

“It is extremely important. I like to know what things used to be like,” he said.

Three pieces of art from the plant were donated to the historical society, including schematics of the equipment at the site and an aerial shot of the plant.