Cheshire, Ohio, was wiped off the map in 2002 after a coal plant bought the entire town to relocate residents amid toxic pollution, and today, its empty streets remain overshadowed by the looming plant.
Oliver Milman reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- The Gavin coal plant, now owned by Blackstone, displaced the entire town of Cheshire, Ohio, due to severe pollution, leaving it a ghost town.
- Gavin remains one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide in the U.S., and its political ties to Trump raise questions about future environmental regulations.
- Residents recall the traumatic experience of being forced to leave their homes due to toxic emissions from the plant, which continues to operate.
Key quote:
“There is a trend of private equity walking away from polluting assets without being liable for the environmental cleanup. They want to squeeze as much profit as possible while they can from this outdated, dangerous coal plant.”
— Alissa Jean Schafer, climate director of the Private Equity Stakeholder Project.
Why this matters:
Gavin remains a major source of pollution, contributing to climate change and local environmental harm. This case raises concerns about private equity ownership of coal plants and the political influence protecting outdated energy sources over public health.
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