Edwardsport’s power stays protected                                                                            Story by Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana National Guard                                                 Posted June 12, 2008

EDWARDSPORT, Ind.— After the White River’s water level rose to a dangerous 29.5 feet June 10, the Indiana National Guard arrived on site to assist in sandbagging operations, helping protect the Edwardsport Duke Energy power plant.

As water pumps drained the excess out of lower plant area, Plant Operation Supervisor Kenny Ellerman said workers couldn’t have saved the plant by themselves.

“I have a lot of appreciation for the National Guard,” said Ellerman. “This is awesome [that] they showed up to support us,”

On June 9, 2008 power was cut off in the plant to protect citizens and avoid damage to the electrical infrastructure of the eastern portion of Knox County; however White River’s waters could have still damaged the plant.

According to Indiana Army National Guard Soldier 2nd Lt. Kristoffer Paris, of the 38th Infantry Division, 38th Military Police Company, the water was getting dangerously high when they arrived.

“A lot of the areas around the building were under water when we got here,” said Paris, pointing to water lines on the building.

Thirty-six workers from the community man the plant on different shifts throughout the week. To these local workers that could mean their job if the plant were to be irreparable. 

 “A lot of the community here, their parents or grandparents, brothers, sisters have worked here, still work here or have retired from here, said Ellerman.

About 120 Soldiers were sent to help the flooding at the plant, and about 30 Department of Correction inmate volunteers from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility were on hand to lend their physical support too.

Brigadier General David L. Harris, commander of Joint Task Force 81, was on site to view the work done by Indiana Soldiers and talk with the plant workers.

“It just becomes obvious when you loose any facility in a grid, the cost eventually gets passed on through to the customers,” Harris said. “By saving this facility that not only saves the company money that owns it but it also saves the customers it’s services, so in essence it saves us all.”