Exploded coal plant to undergo repairs

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 recently.

"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.