An idle power plant in Scottsbluff, owned by the Nebraska Public Power District, will be torn down beginning in March.

The NPPD board approved the demolition of the Scottsbluff Generating Station.

Workers will demolish the power plant building which houses boilers, turbine generators, offices, control rooms, fuel oil storage tanks including foundations and associated piping; the warehouse and truck garage; and remove all piping on the site, and other miscellaneous yard structures.

Bierlein Companies, Inc., of Midland, Mich., will be responsible for the work with the cost for demolition and salvaging operations set at $968,500. NPPD will maintain ownership of the land.

Demolition costs are being offset by an anticipated high metal salvage value. NPPD said the project should be completed in November.

"We expect that all demolition work and disposal be done in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and the safety of the workers and the public is a constant consideration during the demolition process," NPPD Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Kent said.

The Scottsbluff Generating Station first began operation in 1940 with additional units added in 1947, 1952, and 1963 that could produce 47 megawatts of energy.

In September 1989, NPPD decided to permanently shut down the plant as additional transmission facilities were placed into service.