Ravenswood Generating Station: work-history and asbestos evidence
Ravenswood is a strong example of why a power-plant name can become more useful when it is connected to a contractor, trade and construction period. Public records supply all three.
What the public record tells us
A major Long Island City generating station
NYSERDA states that Ravenswood was built by Con Edison and began operations in 1963. Unit 30, known as “Big Allis,” entered service in 1965.
A New York appellate record identifies asbestos-insulation work
In Matter of New York Asbestos Litigation, the Appellate Division described Harry Brown working for Robert A. Keasbey, Inc. as an asbestos insulation installer at Ravenswood from the winter of 1964 to spring 1965.
The court record names major construction packages
The appellate decision describes Keasbey holding insulation subcontracts associated with major boiler, turbine and piping contractors. For reconstruction, contractor name can be as valuable as the plant name itself.
How this can help reconstruct a work history
Historical records are most useful when they are connected to the person who actually worked there: the years, department, trade, tasks, equipment, contractors and coworkers remembered by the family. A documented workplace history can guide the questions; the individual work history supplies the context.
Construction or later operations?
Ravenswood’s original buildout and later operating/maintenance work should be researched separately.
Con Edison employee or contractor?
Employer and contractor identity can identify the crew, specifications and records to pursue.
Which system?
Boiler, turbine, piping, valves, insulation, electrical and maintenance systems can point toward different work histories.
Primary and authoritative sources
- NYSERDA — Ravenswood Generating Station case study New York State source
- New York Appellate Division — Matter of New York Asbestos Litigation (Brown) (2017) Court decision
Continue the investigation
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