There are many aspects to consider as the power industry continues to close power plants, whether the result of technological obsolescence, regulatory strictures, or economic competitiveness. This session will address lessons learned through the decommissioning and closure process.

For power plant professionals, an incident requiring emergency first responders is a scenario that few want to contemplate. But emergency response preparedness is an essential part of an effectively operating power plant. This session will offer attendees ER case studies, lessons learned, strategies for preparing plant personnel—and first responders—for emergencies, and a discussion of common contributing factors that lead to incidents requiring emergency responses.

Finding solutions for a workforce in transition, including finding quality candidates to fill skilled positions can be challenging. Add internal and external game changers impacting the energy industry and it creates an important need to develop the skills of a transitional workforce. A change in generation sources, growing environmental changes, evolving customer needs, and increasing technological advances all require a skilled workforce. Learn about specific utility workforce initiatives from various utilities leveraging online education through a partnership with the Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE), to build the skills of transitioning workers.

The Mill Creek Air Quality Control System Project retrofit at the 1,600 MW LG&E/KU Mill Creek coal-fired power plant is one of the largest EPC projects in the USA. The project includes new flue-gas desulfurization units for all four units, new pulse jet fabric filters (PJFF) and ID fans for all four units, and new chimneys for three of the units. The use of field engineers has been instrumental in the success of the project. This paper and presentation will describe how the use of field engineering bridges the gap between conceptual design and field installation and establishes a “One Team” project environment.

Are you prepared for the next 24 months when 50% of your workforce may retire and when millennials will fill that gap in the workforce? Millennials, who typically stay at a company less than 18 months, want to work for brands they know and trust. They want to work in a culture that caters to them (i.e. that offers flexible hours, new technology, and a quick path to management), and to be part of a company that makes a difference for others and for the environment. Build a millennial-oriented brand that attracts talented young workers to your team.

On October 22, 2012, a significant explosion occurred in the coal bunker at Minnesota Power’s Taconite Harbor Energy Center. This explosion severely injured an employee working near the explosion. You will hear about the experience firsthand from the employee involved in the incident. The presentation will focus on incident investigation and root cause, what engineering and administrative controls were implemented as a result of the accident, and improvements made across the thermal generating fleet. Hear how Joe and Minnesota Power thought they had done everything right, but how everything went so wrong.

Fundamentally, workers come to work to do good work. So when something bad happens, is it possible to move beyond "blame and punishment" and even beyond "error prevention?" Is it possible by collaborating with those who actually perform the work, to build a culture of "error tolerance?" This session will focus on what happens when organizations become open to the idea of operational learning instead of being surprised by occasional human error and failure. The discussion will seek a dialogue around safety, reliability, resilience, and accountability with a different mindset.