Update: Total Wrecking & Environmental to implode part of power plant

Video courtesy of Stefan Ludwig

Buffalo, New York-based Total Wrecking & Environmental, one of the country’s leading industrial demolition contractors has been working at Lakeland Electric’s C.D. McIntosh Power Plant in Florida for the last six months.

Over the next year, Total Wrecking & Environmental will complete the abatement, remediation, demolition, asset recovery and removal of three large coal-fired units that have been in operation for more than 40 years.

Jan. 14 in Lakeland, Florida, community leaders and project managers will gather to witness the first implosion phase of the Lakeland power plant project as Total Wrecking & Environmental fells a 260-foot stack and a 90-foot selective catalytic reduction unit.

Because Total Wrecking & Environmental is conducting this project at an operational power facility, it is unprecedented in scope and complexity, requiring a tremendous number of resources, specialized crew members and surgical planning to ensure the demolition is performed safely and on time, the company says.

“Total Wrecking & Environmental is thrilled to clear and restore a critical area within the Lakeland McIntosh Power Plant for a newer energy facility,” companyCEO and founder Frank Bodami says. “We’re excited to apply our unparalleled demolition expertise and clear the way for Lakeland Electric’s new gas-fired reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) power plant.”

Total Wrecking & Environmental also is working hand-in-hand with the Wounded Warrior Project, which supports the empowerment and employment of wounded veterans, to provide “front row” live streaming access for the implosion. Those who would like to view the implosion live are invited to make a donation on the campaign page and receive an exclusive live-streaming link for supporting the cause.

In March 2023, Bodami will travel back to Lakeland, Florida, where he will direct Total Wrecking & Environmental's second controlled implosion of the coal-fired hung boiler units that represented the nucleus of the station at the McIntosh Power Plant for Lakeland Electric.

Related: Video: Total Wrecking & Demolition implodes Logan Generating Station | Breaking down big demo jobs

This article has been updated with the addition of a video of the demolition described.