LIVELY GROVE, Ill. - Site preparation is moving forward at the future home of the Prairie State Energy Campus planned in Washington County, Ill., with preliminary foundation testing and development under way by Plocher Construction, based in Highland.

 

The initial work involves driving steel beams into the ground through 60 feet of clay and shale to verify the location of load bearing rock and to test the maximum tonnage that each beam can withstand.

 

The testing is expected to be completed by the end of June, and the information will be used to develop the final engineering design for the generating station. Ultimately the beams will be used as part of the footing for the plant's concrete foundation.

 

The Prairie State Energy Campus is a major mine-mouth electricity generating station and coal mine that would be located near Lively Grove. Initial grading and road development commenced at the site late last year.

"We are glad to see Prairie State moving forward using a local workforce," said Scott Plocher of Plocher Construction. "Prairie State is once again showing its commitment to the area by involving local businesses in this important step toward development."

 

Plocher's work is being supervised by Bechtel Power Corp., based on a letter of intent for engineering and procurement services for the project. Prairie State continues to receive strong interest from equity partners and has secured all major permits necessary to move toward ground breaking.

 

Vendors and contractors interested in the Prairie State project may register at www.PrairieStateEnergyCampus.com or contact Robert Albrecht, procurement director for Prairie State, at 301-228-8940

 

Founded in 1898, Bechtel is one of the world's premier engineering, construction, and project management companies. Bechtel has 40 offices around the world and 40,000 employees;

 

Plocher Construction Company, Inc. was formed in 1993. The company now employs over 30 full time employees including estimators, project managers, superintendents, carpenters, teamsters, millwrights, cement finishers and laborers.