BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield's biggest eye sore is no more. Folks traveling around the Rosedale area this weekend may have been surprised to see the twin-tower superstructure that was PG&E's Kern River Power Plant is gone.
Thousands of tons worth of steel has been removed from the site. There's still some associated clean-up work going on, but that ugly, rusted steel skeleton is finally gone.
The Kern River Power Plant became operational in 1948. It was taken off line in 1985.
Last August, amid great fanfare, the power plant was imploded. Bakersfield spectator Jerry Wood suffered critical leg injuries after being hit by shrapnel from the blast. Demolition of the plant was delayed for nearly a year while the accident was investigated by Cal OSHA. The agency levied fines against the demolition contractors.
PG&E spokesperson Katie Allen declined our request for comment on the demolition project.
Thousands of tons worth of steel has been removed from the site. There's still some associated clean-up work going on, but that ugly, rusted steel skeleton is finally gone.
The Kern River Power Plant became operational in 1948. It was taken off line in 1985.
Last August, amid great fanfare, the power plant was imploded. Bakersfield spectator Jerry Wood suffered critical leg injuries after being hit by shrapnel from the blast. Demolition of the plant was delayed for nearly a year while the accident was investigated by Cal OSHA. The agency levied fines against the demolition contractors.
PG&E spokesperson Katie Allen declined our request for comment on the demolition project.