Independence Excavating, Inc. (IX) was awarded a contract by Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC) to demolish their Alma Station coal power plant in Alma, Wisconsin in March 2017.  The Alma Station consisted of five separate units under one roof including a coal conveyor system, boilers, turbine assemblies, and outside electrostatic precipitators. The highest section of the building was 120’ tall and the building had a basement that was 12’ deep.  Our scope included some initial environmental abatement including asbestos mastic removal and the removal of a PCB contaminated concrete slab.  A challenge on this project has been the close proximity to the existing substation on the north side of the building and the active overhead 69kV and 161kV electric lines on the east and west side of the building.  The 69kV line on the east side of the building was shut down for a one week period in order to demolish the east side of the building. 

IX worked well with DPC representatives to bring the building down safely.