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Connecticut Yankee on Wednesday celebrated the completion of the demolition of all former nuclear structures and recognized the workers for their safety efforts.

In 1996, the Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co. Board of Directors voted to close the plant down permanently. An economic study showed that electric customers would, due to the changing market, save money if the plant was closed.

Decommissioning, which began in 1998, is the methodical piece-by-piece removal of everything associated with the nuclear plant. The goal of decommissioning is to reduce residual levels of radioactivity at the former power plant site.

The hypothetical end result is that a resident could live on the land. However, Kelley Smith, a Connecticut Yankee spokeswoman, said it would be very unlikely for someone to actually live on the land.

The process of decommissioning begins with the removal of parts (valves, pipes, pumps, etc.) from inside the plant. Next, the workers decontaminate any areas that need it, and finally, they demolish the structure itself.

According to Smith, all the materials have to be transported to a licensed disposal facility.

Smith said a portion of the land would house the leftover radioactive waste. At this time, the government is waiting to remove the waste.

Radioactive surveys of the site are still being done and should be completed by the end of year.

Connecticut Yankee will have to meet state and federal guidelines. Once the site meets the criteria, the company will be released of its Nuclear Regulatory Commission license. The plant is expecting to be released in the summer of 2007, according to Smith.

Completion of decommissioning is expected to be done by the end of 2006.

The process has been successful so far, as Wednesday's work proved to be. Of the completion of the demolition, Robert W. Kowalski, head of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said, "It happens when people work together as a team."

As for their safety credentials, the plant had no injuries in six years. Not one person in that time left the job and did not return the next day due to injury.

According to Kowalski, in the last eight days alone, there have been six incidents in the state, and on average, 20 to 30 days of work are lost each year.

The Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Plant had one of its biggest fans show up to celebrate with the workers.

"I love nuclear power," said Congressman Rob Simmons, R- District 2. Simmons told the story of how many years ago; he used to eat lunch across from the plant and said everything is fine with nuclear power.

"It's safe, it's clean and it's green," said Simmons, who has been in the Sierra Club for 35 years. He said nuclear power started in Connecticut and it set the standard. "America needs more safe, clean nuclear power," Simmons said, adding that during its 28 years of operation, the plant saved $7.6 billion in oil.

According to Sam Collins, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region 1 regional administrator, there are plans for 18 new plants. He anticipated that one plant per year would be commissioned.

There are currently 250 workers, but by the beginning of September, there will be only 200 left.

That number will gradually decline as the end of the project nears.

The plant was the second in Connecticut and the sixth in the nation. It produced 110 billion kilowatts of energy for the region.

No final decisions have been made on what to do with the property.