Company: Union claims about Avon Lake Power Plant work 'inaccurate'

Avon Lake Environmental Redevelopment Group is abiding by safe practices as crews remove hazardous materials prior to demolishing the former coal-fired Avon Lake Power Plant, a spokesman said. Going by the acronym ALERG, it is a subsidiary of Charah Solutions, a Kentucky-based company that purchased the power plant site last year with plans to redevelop the property. ALERG "has always made it a priority to maintain a safe work environment and hire local Ohio workers, subcontractors and vendors," spokesman Brad Mercer told The Chronicle-Telegram. "ALERG had an open bid process for the work taking place at the plant and we've continued to talk to local unions throughout this process. We're focused on providing maximum benefits to all members of the community, providing increased economic activity and jobs while sustainably remediating the site for the betterment of the environment now and in the future." About 20 members of Laborers' Local Union 758 protested along Lake Road on Friday. Union representative Ryan McDavid said the group wants jobs for unionized Ohio workers, and they were concerned that untrained, out-of-state nonunion workers were brought in to do remediation and demolition work on a 95-year-old building that contains asbestos, lead and other potential environmental hazards. McDavid also claimed workers were being paid low wages, that they are not allowed to leave the property during the work day, and that ALERG has not provided the city with details about its subcontractors or a list of workers. Mercer said none of that is true. That crews may not leave during work hours: "This is not the case as employees are allowed to come and go as they please," Mercer said. That "unsafe practices" are being used during cleanup: "All work at the site is being completed per regulations and according to safe practices," he said. That the city has not been provided a list of contractors and workers "is inaccurate," Mercer said. "While not required, ALERG has provided the list of subcontractors performing work at the site to the city of Avon Lake as requested and as part of our continuing communication with city officials," he said. Charah Solutions bought the 627-megawatt plant and 40-acre site from GenOn Holdings last year. At least 49 workers lost their jobs when the plant closed. The land is expected to be repurposed for multiple uses, including residential properties. Ohio EPA inspectors "observed no violations" at the plant, a spokesman said Friday. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com or on Twitter @daveobrienCT.