The skyline around Homer City and Coral-Graceton looks much different after Saturday’s demolition of the smokestacks and cooling towers at the former Homer City Generating Station. The plant closed in the summer of 2023 and the site is now owned by Homer City Redevelopment, LLC. The bottom portion of the tallest stack remained standing, unexpectedly, but the company says it will be an easy demolition to remove it.
Replacing the largest coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania will be a new natural gas-powered plant, which will produce electricity powered by natural gas, presumably from the nearby Texas Eastern gas pipeline . A $5 million state grant approved last fall will facilitate the design and construction of a pipeline to the plant. Because the former power plant retained its connection to the PJM grid, once the new plant is constructed it will be able to quickly assimilate into the system. No timetable has been announced for new construction.
The debris from yesterday’s demolition will be stored at the DEP-approved landfill on the power plant site. After the implosion, Homer City Borough and the Central Indiana County Water Authority reported that it had tested the water and found no contaminants, and will continue with daily testing at its water source, which is about 8 miles from the power plant. Any particles or contaminants will go through a treatment process before entering the distribution system.
An addendum to the demolition permit approved by DEP adds the demolition of the coal cleaning building at the former pant, likely “the week following the (demolition of) the stacks and towers.”
Homer City Redevelopment issued a statement yesterday saying, “While this ends one chapter, we are eager to start another and pave the way for a reimagined energy future at the Homer City site.”
Senator Joe Pittman issued the following statement: “I am extremely excited for and supportive of the future redevelopment of the site of the former Homer City Generating Station and stand ready to assist. This is a great opportunity for positive economic growth in our region!”
Representative Jim Struzzi wrote, “Watching the Homer City power plant implode today without incident left me with mixed emotions. It was sad to see a plant that employed so many people and kept the power on for Pennsylvania demolished, but I am hopeful and excited better days are ahead that bring good paying jobs and tremendous economic benefits to our county and region.”
