Conesville Power Plant

Construction of Unit 1 began in 1955 and was commissioned by Columbus & Southern Ohio Electric (a forerunner of AEP).{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/321389108/|title=Top Executives Tell of Conesville Power Plant|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=July 5, 1955|page=6|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 24, 2018}} Unit 1 began commercial generation in 1957 while Unit 2 began operations two years later in 1959.{{cite news|url=https://www.coshoctontribune.com/story/news/local/2017/08/24/we-work-team-and-were-family/598197001/|title=AEP Conesville still fired up after 60 years|last=Hayhurst|first=Leonard|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=August 24, 2017|access-date=June 18, 2018}} Both units cost $36 million to construct and generated 125 MW each.{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2005/10/03/daily8.html|title=2 units at AEP Conesville plant to be shuttered|newspaper=Columbus Business First|date=October 3, 2005|access-date=June 20, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/322168241/|title=Conesville Power Plant Began Operating in 1958|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=August 20, 1961|page=9|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 26, 2018}} Unit 3 began operations in 1962 with a generation capacity of 165 MW.{{cite web|url=https://aepretirees.com/2013/01/07/end-of-an-era-2/|title=End of an era|last=Waitkus|first=Dave|publisher=American Electric Power (AEP)|date=January 7, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2018}} Unit 4 began operations in 1973 with a generation capacity of 780 MW.{{cite web|url=http://www.dplinc.com/about/corporate-overview/locations/conesville-station/|title=Conesville Unit 4|publisher=DPL Inc.|access-date=June 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626220442/http://www.dplinc.com/about/corporate-overview/locations/conesville-station/|archive-date=June 26, 2018}} At the time of its conception, the unit would be jointly owned by Cincinnati Gas and Electric (CG&E) (a forerunner of Duke Energy), Columbus & Southern Ohio Electric, and DP&L.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/20164707/|title=Conesville power plant constructed|newspaper=The Times Reporter|date=January 27, 1971|page=D-3|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 24, 2018}} Units 5 and 6 began operations in 1976 and 1978 respectively.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/322129638/|title=C&SOE Initiates Newest Electric Generating Unit|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=April 24, 1977|page=8C|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 26, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/322143138/|title=C&SOE's Leppla Met Challenge Of Past Winter|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=April 30, 1978|page=2B|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 26, 2018}} Over the years, Units 5 and 6 have increased electrical generation from 375 MW to 405 MW.{{cite report|url=ftp://www.pjm.com/planning/project-queues/isa/y1_018_isa.pdf|title=Interconnection Service Agreement (PJM Queue #Y1-018)|publisher=PJM Interconnection|date=October 1, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2018}} In 2014, Duke Energy sold its stake in Conesville to Dynegy.{{cite news|url=https://www.utilitydive.com/news/dynegy-to-buy-12500-mw-for-625b/300903/|title=Dynegy to buy 12,500 MW for $6.25B|last=Savenije|first=Davide|publisher=Utility Drive|date=August 22, 2014|access-date=June 21, 2018}} Three years later in 2017, Dynegy sold its stake in Conesville in a swap with AEP for a stake of William H. Zimmer Power Station.{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2017/02/24/aep-dynegy-swap-ohio-power-plant-ownership.html|title=AEP, Dynegy swap Ohio power plant ownership|last=Knox|first=Tom|newspaper=Columbus Business First|date=February 24, 2017|access-date=June 21, 2018}} At the time of its closure in 2020, DP&L held a minority ownership of Unit 4 with AEP.{{cite news|url=https://platform.mi.spglobal.com/web/client?auth=inherit#news/article?id=46905767&cdid=A-46905767-10028|title=AEP plans to shut down Conesville coal plant in Ohio by 2020|last=Sweeney|first=Darren|publisher=S&P Global Market Intelligence|date=October 8, 2018|access-date=October 8, 2018}}

With the installation of Unit 4, electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) were installed to prevent fly ash from going into the atmosphere. ESPs were later installed to Units 1–3 in the mid-1970s. Unit 4 also had cooling towers constructed which resulted in zero discharge into the Muskingum River.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/322207922/|title=Conesville Unit 4 Contributing To CSOE Operation|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=April 28, 1974|page=18-A|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 24, 2018}} In 2009, Unit 4 would receive the installation of flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) equipment along with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to meet the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR).{{cite web|url=https://aep.com/newsroom/newsreleases/?id=1211|title=AEP announces additional environmental investments at five plants in four states|last=McHenry|first=Melissa|publisher=AEP|date=June 17, 2005|access-date=June 24, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://aep.com/newsroom/newsreleases/?id=1428|title=News Releases|last=McHenry|first=Melissa|publisher=AEP|date=January 17, 2008|access-date=June 24, 2018}} The $450 million project for Unit 4, saw the construction of an {{convert|800|ft|m|abbr=on}} smokestack for the FGD equipment.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/321138245/|title=New unit ready to go online|last=Dickerson|first=Kathie|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=May 14, 2009|page=1-A|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2018}} After it was installed, inspectors found corrosion. AEP settled with Black & Veatch, the contractor who installed the FGD equipment, to address the corrosion.{{cite news|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=state%3AOH%21USA%2B-%2BOhio&sort=YMD_date%3AD&page=2&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=Conesville%20Power%20Plant&docref=news/1386D51C87A5C380|title=Failing Pollution Scrubbers – 'Aggressive' decay eats at power plants|last=Hunt|first=Spencer|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|date=July 11, 2011|page=1A|via=Newsbank.com|access-date=June 26, 2018}} When Units 5 and 6 went into operation, $52 million in scrubber technology were installed to reduce sulfur dioxide ({{SO2}}) emissions, but it operated inefficiently.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/293490761/|title=Firm Awards Contract|newspaper=The Times Recorder|date=October 15, 1975|page=10-B|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 24, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/74412455/|title=Governor Blasts Federal EPA|publisher=Associated Press|newspaper=The Circleville Herald|date=June 5, 1978|page=11|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 24, 2018}} The scrubber was eventually upgraded in 2008. In the summer of 2001, Unit 6 was the test site for Thermal Energy International's THERMALONOx.{{cite news|url=https://www.power-eng.com/articles/2001/03/aep-to-test-nitrogen-oxide-control-technology.html|title=AEP to test nitrogen oxide control technology|publisher=Power Engineering|date=March 8, 2001|access-date=June 25, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.power-eng.com/articles/2001/10/thermalonox-demonstration-project-at-aeps-conesville-plant-suggests-need-for-additional-laboratory-research.html|title=THERMALONOx demonstration project at AEP's Conesville Plant suggests need for additional laboratory research|publisher=Power Engineering|date=September 28, 2001|access-date=June 25, 2018}} The THERMALONOx was intended to show that nitrogen oxide ({{NOx}}) emissions would be reduced by 70%. Unfortunately, the demonstration was halted in September 2001 after the "system did not appreciably reduce nitrogen oxide ({{NOx}}) emission levels."

When the first unit went into operation, it was projected that Conesville would use between 300,000 and 400,000 short tons of coal each year. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the plant received 1,716,286 short tons of coal in 2017. All of the coal was shipped from mines within Ohio.{{cite web|url=https://www.eia.gov/coal/data/browser/#/shipments/plant/2840/?freq=A&pin=|title=Coal Data Browser – Shipments to Conesville|publisher=Energy Information Administration (EIA)|access-date=June 18, 2018}} Conesville used to employ 600 workers. In 2018, only 165 were employed at the plant.{{cite news|url=https://www.coshoctontribune.com/story/news/local/2018/10/05/aep-conesville-plant-close-may-2020/1536021002/|title=AEP Conesville Plant to close by May 2020|last=Hayhurst|first=Leonard|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=October 5, 2018|access-date=October 5, 2018}}

Units 1 and 2 were retired in 2005 after Unit 1's tubing to its boiler failed. Inspections on Unit 2 revealed severe corrosion in a pattern that was similar to Unit 1. The reported cost of $35 million to repair both units was not worth the benefit of returning to service. Unit 3 was retired in December 2012 in order to comply with the Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) rules regarding mercury, lead, and other toxic emissions.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/361229005/|title=AEP may close six sites|last1=Dickerson|first1=Kathie|last2=Whiteman|first2=Doug|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=June 10, 2011|page=1A|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 20, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/127230324/|title=Conesville plant labeled as a top-5 metal polluter|last=Dickerson|first=Kathie|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=January 13, 2013|page=3A|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 20, 2018}} AEP announced in October 2018 they will shut down Conesville by May 2020. Units 5 and 6 retired on May 31, 2019, while Unit 4 remained in operation until April 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/trending/62385T82MxWSeSn3JAmH9Q2|title=AEP to retire 750 MW of coal capacity at Conesville plant|last=Sweeney|first=Darren|publisher=S&P Global Market Intelligence|date=May 13, 2019|access-date=May 31, 2019}} The decision to close the plant was due to operational costs, not clearing PJM Interconnection's capacity auction, and AEP unable to find a buyer. The facility was imploded on December 19, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://whiznews.com/2021/12/19/towers-at-former-aep-plant-come-down/|title=Towers at Former AEP Plant Come Down|date=December 19, 2021}}

In February 1982, two protestors from Greenpeace climbed up one of Conesville Power Plant's smokestacks to protest against acid rain.{{cite news|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=state%3AOH%21USA%2B-%2BOhio&sort=YMD_date%3AD&page=9&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=Conesville%20Power%20Plant&docref=image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40WHNPX-130B2BAE4B8B58C9%402445012-13097D1825D238D1%4024-13097D1825D238D1%40|title=Smokestack sitters extend vigil without any regrets|publisher=The Associated Press|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|date=February 11, 1982|page=17-A|via=Newsbank.com|access-date=June 26, 2018}} The protestors spent three days on top of the smokestack. They were charged with criminal trespass. The judge fined both protestors $250 and were sentenced to three days in jail.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/322175546/|title=Protestors Sentenced To Jail|last=Weidner|first=Nolan|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|date=February 12, 1982|page=1|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 26, 2018}}

In July 2004, a tank exploded burning two workers. They would later die from their injuries.{{cite news|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=state%3AOH%21USA%2B-%2BOhio&sort=YMD_date%3AD&page=4&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=Conesville%20Power%20Plant&docref=news/10DADE59A59385A8|title=AEP Employee Dies 2 Weeks After Conesville Explosion|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|date=July 29, 2004|page=8C|via=Newsbank.com|access-date=June 26, 2018}} AEP determined the cause was due to a sudden release of molten slag that overpressured the tank.{{cite news|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=state%3AOH%21USA%2B-%2BOhio&sort=YMD_date%3AD&page=3&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=Conesville%20Power%20Plant&docref=news/12DCBCD75653B6A8|title=AEP officials determine cause of fatal accident|last=Douglas|first=Kristy|newspaper=The Times Reporter|date=August 12, 2004|via=Newsbank.com|access-date=June 26, 2018}}

{{Portal|Ohio|Energy}}

• List of power stations in Ohio

{{reflist}}

• {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213174123/http://www.dplinc.com/about/corporate-overview/locations/conesville-station/|date=February 13, 2019|title=DP&L Page for Conesville Power Plant}}

Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1957

Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1959

Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1962

Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1973

Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1976

Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1978

Category:Buildings and structures in Coshocton County, Ohio

Category:Former coal-fired power stations in Ohio

Category:1957 establishments in Ohio

Category:2020 disestablishments in Ohio

Category:American Electric Power