English Station
10 Grand Street
Fair Haven section of
New Haven, CT
With it’s idle looming smokestacks, decaying brick and mortar, and an eerie silence this old power plant exudes a rather ominous feel to the passer by. Known as “English Station” the thermal power plant was built from 1924 – 1929 and ceased operation in 1992.
Having been abandoned for 21 years the owners and the State of CT are apparently perplexed as to how to handle the PCB laden contaminated oil and asbestos at the facility. Eight large transformers were drained but there were no takers to purchase the oil and it was never destroyed (most likely due to health and safety issues). Today the oil sits in an EPA approved holding facility in Texas.
It is believed that the adjacent Mill River is severely contaminated from PCB’s which flow into the sound. Many locals fish out of this river, right at the Grand St. bridge and eat their catch to this day. Their health has more than likely been compromised.
Some rumors speculate that thousands and thousands of dollars worth of metals and copper have been pilfered by thieves over the years. This, as well as public safety issues, have pressed the owners to provide security at the site. I was approached by unmarked security while taking my photographs even though I never set foot on the property. All my photo’s were taken from public streets. I suppose that’s at least a step in the right direction.
Some old power plants in America were reconverted to schools and museums. It doesn’t take an expert to assume that demolition of this plant could release considerable toxins into the ground, river and air that could impact residents in a considerable radius of English Station. Properly addressing the long standing issues of the plant will take a wallet and a mind far greater than mine. It will be interesting to see what becomes of it down the road.
If you Google “English station, new haven, CT” you’ll find many sites that display additional photo’s of the power plant. Some were taken by photographers more daring that I who set foot inside and captured rare glimpses into some aging relics of industry.
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