October 1, 2009

Top Plants: Hutsonville Power Station, Crawford County, Illinois

Angela Neville, JD

Owner/operator: AmerenEnergy Generating Co.

This plant’s staff proves that a can-do attitude and high productivity can be compatible with a safer workplace. The proactive approaches they used at the 162-MW Hutsonville plant ranged from improving boiler efficiency to better managing risks to workers.

One of the greatest challenges facing the U.S. electric generation industry is reconciling the dual imperatives of profitable business practices and strong workplace safety. The dedicated staff at the Hutsonville Power Station (Figure 1), located in Hutsonville, Ill., have taken on this challenge and successfully worked together to increase their facility’s efficiency while looking out for their fellow workers.

1.    Energizing Illinois. An aerial view of AmerenEnergy Generating’s Hutsonville Power Station on the Wabash River, southeastern Illinois. Courtesy: Ameren

Every day the close-knit group of employees at the Hutsonville plant demonstrate their leadership skills in the safety arena by articulating and acting on their strong belief in the importance of workplace safety — and then being held accountable for the results.

In May, along with the 2009 ELECTRIC POWER Conference and Exhibition held in Rosemont, Ill., the PRB Coal Users’ Group (PRBCUG) conducted its annual meeting. Each year the group recognizes one or two PRB Coal Plants of the Year for their innovation and implementation of "best practices and best available technologies." (See also the large plant profile on p. 46.) These plants are inducted into the Power Plant Hall of Fame. Selections are made by the board, with input from the group’s members. PRBCUG members include current and prospective users of PRB coals. Associate members from companies supplying coal, equipment, or services also participate in the selection process.