Dairyland demolishes power plant that stood in Genoa for over 50 years

GENOA, Wis. (WEAU) - Several dozen people gathered in Vernon County to watch the demolition of Dairyland’s retired power plant. The plant was retired in 2021 and President and CEO of Dairyland, Brent Ridge, says they will continue to use the site in Genoa.

“Currently, part of the site is used to store spent nuclear fuel from a decommissioned nuclear power plant. So we still have employees on site, but a large component of the site will now be open and we’re going to be looking for economic development opportunities that could range from manufacturing all the way to another power generating resource, which in this case would probably be non-carbon emitting,” says Ridge.

While there are plans for the future, Genoa Village President, Richard Phillips, says it is still sad seeing a building that has been in the village for over 50 years be demolished.

“We have such good relations with Dairyland. They did a lot for the village. I’m really going to be sad to see it gone,” says Phillips...