In 1945, the Jennison Generating Station was constructed in Bainbridge, New York, by New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), and it was named for a former NYSEG president, Ralph D. Jennison. Originally, Jennison Station was capable of producing 30 kilowatts of electrical power. Upgrades during the 1950’s and 1960’s increased the plant’s output to 73 kilowatts produced by two turbine generators that were powered by coal-fired boilers. Jennison Station was one of the smaller power plants in NYSEG’s distribution system. In 1999, NYSEG sold the plant to AES Corporation, and in 2000, Jennison Station was permanently shut down.

Up until the late 1970s, laborers at Jennison Station applied and removed asbestos-containing materials during maintenance procedures. Pipe covering, insulating cement, block insulation and gaskets contained asbestos. Workers who handled asbestos-containing materials, or those who worked in the vicinity of where these materials were used, are at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Turbine generators at Jennison Station were powered by steam produced in boilers. A network of pipes, pumps, valves and steam traps delivered steam to the turbines. In order for the steam system to effectively produce steam, asbestos-containing insulation was applied to a majority of equipment within the steam system. During maintenance procedures, workers removed worn insulation and replaced it with new insulation when these procedures were completed.

Jennison Station periodically went into a “shutdown” maintenance period. During a shutdown, workers performed maintenance on the steam system. Insulation contractors or laborers sawed and scraped worn asbestos pipe covering and block insulation from steam pipes and equipment. Asbestos-containing gaskets were also scraped from flanges, and new gaskets were fabricated from sheets of asbestos-containing gasket material. Most workers were completely unaware of the dangers of exposure to asbestos dust, and they performed their work without masks or protective gear.

Our clients understand the importance of securing legal representation as soon as possible after a diagnosis of mesothelioma or lung cancer. If you or a loved one were once employed at Jennison Generating Station or at a NYSEG facility, and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, we urge you to contact us regarding your legal rights.