By Maggie Blackwell
For the Salisbury Post

Duke Energy successfully imploded the remains of Buck Steam Station on Friday, ending an era for the utility’s first large-capacity coal-generating plant in the Carolinas.

The plant was built in 1926 after over a 10-month period. More units were added over the years so that Buck finally had six generating units with a total capacity of 460 megawatts.

Buck Steam was retired in 2013, two years after the new combined cycle plant was built on the same property.

The combined cycle plant generates almost twice the power that Buck Steam Station did with a fraction of the staff.

Units 1 and 2 were imploded in August.

Friday’s implosion completes the demolition of the 82-year old plant where generations of Rowan County folks have worked.