Press release from Georgia Power:

ATLANTA – Oct. 13, 2016 – Georgia Power announced today that the 1,000 foot-tall stack at its retired Plant Branch will be removed by controlled demolition on Oct. 15, 2016. The company is working to conduct the demolition shortly after daybreak, but has secured a window of time between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., based on weather and safety conditions. The stack demolition was postponed from this past weekend, due to Hurricane Matthew.

Removing the stack is the next step in the dismantlement of the retired power plant, which served electric customers reliably from 1965 through 2015.

Georgia Power is working with a professional demolition contractor to safely remove the stack. The company is also coordinating efforts as needed with multiple agencies including the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT); Baldwin and Putnam County sheriff’s offices and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Immediately prior to the demolition, local law enforcement and DNR will establish an Exclusion Zone (see attached Exclusion Zone map) to ensure a safe buffer around the site. These agencies, in cooperation with the DOT, will also temporarily stop vehicle traffic on U.S. Highway 441 while the demolition occurs. All boat traffic will be prohibited from entering the Exclusion Zone on Lake Sinclair at that time.

Safety is Georgia Power’s top priority during removal of the stack and the company reminds residents to be aware of the demolition and to not stop on public roads or attempt to access Georgia Power property to view the demolition. The company is taking all necessary steps to ensure safety while minimizing inconvenience for neighbors, including employing rigorous dust-suppression measures to limit the spread of dirt and concrete dust. The company will assess neighbors’ outside docks, walkways and furniture on request, to determine if surface dust removal is warranted. Residents may contact Regina Linch at (706) 484-7206 with any questions regarding dust.