Xcel Energy: Soil cleanup phase of Ashland Lakefront Project nears completion

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Xcel Energy Media Relations

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ASHLAND, Wis. – After nearly 10 months of work involving more than a 150 workers and oversight personnel, the excavation and thermal treatment of impacted soils at the Ashland Lakefront Project is nearly complete.

On Sunday, crews thermally treated the last batch of soil and the last layer of clean backfill is scheduled to be put into place today. While the ongoing treatment of groundwater in the project area will continue, most of the heavy equipment and machinery used for the soil cleanup is being moved off site. The three temporary structures will remain in place until the spring as the project team prepares for the next phase of the project. This soil phase of the project will cost approximately $30 million and the continued treatment of groundwater is expected to cost an additional $24 million.

By mid-February, the remaining workers on site will be providing security, daily monitoring and ongoing maintenance of the groundwater system.

In total, crews excavated and thermally treated 70,000 tons of impacted soil and hauled more than 17,000 tons of material (concrete, logs, slabs) to a licensed landfill.

“This was a complex project that involved close coordination with the EPA and WDNR,” said Mark Stoering, president, NSP-Wisconsin. “We appreciate the dedicated and safe work of our employees and contractors, and the ongoing support from nearby residents and businesses over the past year. We are very pleased with the successful results from this phase and will continue to move the entire project forward. ”