Exploded coal plant to undergo
repairs
The Associated Press
FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska — A coal power plant at Fort
Wainwright that exploded in February is scheduled to receive more than
$5 million in repairs, base officials said Monday.
"We have to repair this because it's not as safe as we
want it to be," said public works director Mike Meeks. "It's to correct
the situation and make sure it never happens again."
A blockage in coal dust filters caused the Feb. 24
explosion and fire, according to Meeks and fire officials. Two employees
received minor injuries in the fire. Most of the damage was focused on a
steel coal elevator, the ceiling and other nearby equipment.
Meeks said the department will install a vibrator on
the damaged collector to keep coal dust moving through the system.
A request for the funding is going through the Senate
appropriations process in Washington.
The repairs should take up to five months to complete
once funding is approved, Meeks said.
He said he hopes repairs are completed by winter.
The fire did not affect the overall operations at the
plant, which provides heat and electricity to the post.
The explosion occurred after employees tried to push
the heated build-up out of the collector, scattering embers into the
elevator and elsewhere. There were no indicators on the collector to
alert employees of a possible build-up.
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Information from: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner,
http://www.newsminer.com
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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