General James M. Gavin Power Plant General James M. Gavin Power Plant is one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the United States, located along the Ohio River in Gallia County, Ohio. The two-unit facility has a generating capacity of 2,600 megawatts and is operated by Gavin Power, LLC.
Last verified: 2026-03-09Gavin Power Plant was constructed by Ohio Power Company (a subsidiary of American Electric Power) with Unit 1 beginning operation in 1974 and Unit 2 in 1975. The plant was named after World War II General James M. Gavin. During construction, asbestos-containing materials were installed extensively throughout both massive generating units. The plant became notorious for its emissions, and in 2002 AEP bought out the entire town of Cheshire due to pollution complaints.
Workers at Gavin Power Plant were exposed to asbestos in boiler insulation, pipe lagging, turbine wrapping, gaskets, refractory materials, and valve packing. The plant's two enormous boiler units required frequent maintenance, and workers routinely handled asbestos-containing insulation during outages. The Ohio River valley location created humid conditions that accelerated insulation deterioration, necessitating more frequent repair and replacement work.
The following job categories at General James M. Gavin Power Plant had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Former Gavin Power Plant workers have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer linked to their workplace asbestos exposure. Ohio's industrial corridor along the Ohio River has produced numerous asbestos disease cases from power plants, chemical plants, and manufacturing facilities. Workers from the 1970s construction period and early years of operation face the greatest risk.
Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.
Workers exposed to asbestos at General James M. Gavin Power Plant may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.
4 asbestos trust funds have been identified as potentially related to exposure at this site. Many mesothelioma patients qualify to file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously.
Find Out If You QualifyWorkers who were employed at General James M. Gavin Power Plant between 1970s–1980s may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Workers exposed to asbestos at General James M. Gavin Power Plant may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:
If you were exposed to asbestos at General James M. Gavin Power Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in Ohio may be able to help.
Yes. Both units at Gavin Power Plant were built in the mid-1970s with extensive asbestos-containing materials, including boiler insulation, pipe insulation, turbine wrapping, gaskets, and refractory materials.
Boiler operators, pipe fitters, insulators, millwrights, and maintenance workers faced the highest exposure levels, particularly during outage maintenance when they worked inside the boiler enclosures with deteriorating asbestos insulation.
Yes. Former workers diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may be eligible for compensation through asbestos trust funds and lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos products used at the facility.
If you or a loved one worked at General James M. Gavin Power Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.
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