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Satsop

Cooling tower for the never-finished Satsop nuclear power plant, near Elma, Washington state. This was one of 5 nuclear plants under construction by what was then the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS--yes, "whoops!") in the late 70s-early 80s. (The name was later changed to Northwest Energy.) Gross mismanagement, huge cost overruns, and lower than expected electricity demand led to abandonment of 4 of the reactors in the early 80s, and in turn to what was then the largest municipal bond default in US history. (So much for a "widows and orphans" investment!) See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Northwest
Obviously, the unfinished cooling tower was not demolished. It remains as a surreal centerpiece in an industrial park--which also rents the area out as a movie set! Presumably that helps with maintenance costs.
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2 comments

William Sutherland said:

Phenomenal shot and info! Stay well!

Admired in:
www.ipernity.com/group/tolerance
4 years ago

slgwv said:

Thanks, John, William!
4 years ago ( translate )