If coal is to be “America’s energy future” (
see p. 42), the work of the Powder River Basin Coal Users’ Group (PRBCUG) will have a lot to do with making it so. Since 1999, the PRBCUG (see sidebar) has fostered the safe, efficient, and cost-effective use of the fuel as it watched its membership swell from 60 to over 300. More than 320 employees of gencos, equipment suppliers, and engineering contractors came to Electric Power 2006 in Atlanta primarily to network with and learn from the experiences of their peers and customers at this year’s meeting of PRBCUG members (Figure 1).
1. Better safe than sorry. Attendance at this year’s PRBCUG meeting, in the heart of the coal-burning South, was up a bit over last year. Source: POWER magazine
The festivities began one day before the opening of the conference and exhibition, with three half- or full-day workshops and tutorials on various aspects of converting a power plant to burn PRB coal. That evening, following a reception, members were treated to a banquet and an inspirational talk by Cary Mullen, a two-time Olympic downhill skier and still the holder of the sport’s speed record (97 mph).
The main agenda of the annual meeting—sponsored by Benetech Inc.—kicked into high gear the next morning. Charles Kitchens (Figure 2)—project manager of Southern Company’s engineering and construction services and the new chairman of the PRBCUG—welcomed attendees and reminded them that the group’s role isn’t to encourage gencos to use Powder River Basin. Rather, he said, “We work with industry associations to develop best practices [for doing so]. We need to involve as many experts as we can in that process. You in the room have a wealth of knowledge we’d like to capture.”
2. Godfather of coal. Charles Kitchens of Southern Company—a 29-year veteran of the utility industry who has held numerous management posts in engineering, operations, and maintenance at coal-fired plants—is the new PRBCUG chairman. Source: POWER magazine
Kitchens then handed the mike to the keynote speaker, Charles Potter—CEO of Potter Associates International and a 19-year veteran of the utility industry. As opposed to a speech, Potter’s “Who is responsible for safety?” was a very interactive 90-minute discussion of the roles that personal responsibility, attitudes, and behavior play in minimizing accidents and injuries. Next up was the PRBCUG’s presentation of its 2005 Plant of the Year award, which went to TXU Corp.’s Monticello Steam Electric Station (see sidebar).
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