The 1,000-foot James R. Barker delivered its last load of coal to the docks of the Taconite Harbor Energy Center in Schroeder and headed down the shore on Friday, August 5.
The James R. Barker delivered a load of coal and then departed from the loading dock at Taconite Harbor in Schroeder at 8:48 a.m. on Friday, August 5, 2016, the last ship to visit the Minnesota Power facility for the foreseeable future. This “last” event is one of a series of “lasts,” said Plant Manager David Rannetsberger this week.
Rannetsberger and a small crew of Minnesota Power employees remain at the Taconite Harbor Energy Center, conducting what Rannetsberger described as a “dry lay-up process” of the 225-megawat, coal-fired power plant. The first 75-watt turbine at Taconite Harbor went on line in June 1957, followed by the second in September 1957, with a third generator added in May 1967 operated at that time by Erie Mining.
Rannetsberger said workers are tasked with preserving the plant’s assets for future use. However, it is not known when—if ever—that will be.
“Basically, we’ll be placing those units into a capacity market,” Rannetsberger said. “They could be called into action to ensure the stability of the electric grid in the region if needed. If some other plant or transmission lines failed, we could be called into action.”
Once the lay-up process is complete, sometime in October, the Taconite Harbor Energy Center will continue to be maintained and monitored for security and environmental compliance, said Rannetsberger.
The company is still trying to “re-mission” the facility. “We continue to look at the facility for other purposes. We have an agreement with Cliffs [Cliffs Natural Resources] to use the railroad if we find an appropriate use for it,” said Rannetsberger.
The halting of taconite production and transportation through Taconite Harbor in 2002 was one of the first “lasts” for the Schroeder facility. Trains last traveled the tracks in 2008 when some residual pellets stored in Schroeder were taken by train to Hoyt Lakes.
Asked if it is difficult to see the last coal ship leave, Rannetsberger said yes. “It’s definitely sad. This is one of a long list of ‘lasts’ that is happening at Taconite Harbor this year. We’ve already said goodbye to many friends and co-workers.”
Some Taconite Harbor employees are taking jobs elsewhere with Minnesota Power; a handful are retiring. Rannetsberger will be taking a job in the Duluth area and he will be among the people called back if the Taconite Harbor plant is ever needed.
A bright spot was a ride on that last ship. Rannetsberger and Operations Manager Brian Sandman got to ride down the shore in the ore boat. Although Rannetsberger said it was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” it was bittersweet. “It’s all coming to an end,” he said.
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