Our Relentless Pursuit of Excellence
Don Gaston
President and CEO
I am pleased to report that in 2016 our team delivered strong operational performance, while driving marked improvements across our campus. Our Power Plant completed an outstanding year for safety - zero lost time injuries! Our environmental compliance was pristine. Our Mine had the lowest citation rate since inception, and achieved a federal compliance rate that is among the best in the mining industry. We set all-time monthly Plant reliability records in December, achieving 98.5 percent equivalent availability. While proud of these accomplishments and many others, we are not complacent.
Excellence at Prairie State is measured by the long-term value we provide to the 2.5 million families across the Midwest that invested in our energy campus, and we are building a company culture that will do just that.
In 2016, we continued to raise the bar in each area of our business by implementing a comprehensive strategic planning initiative with our Management Committee. This plan outlines key areas of focus for our business planning and execution for 2017 and beyond. It will lay the foundation for excellence in safety, operations, cost management, and talent readiness.
Safety
We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our teammates, and our highest priority is to achieve and sustain zero lost time incidents across the Prairie State campus. Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status designation and the National Mining Association’s (NMA) CORESafety certification are recognized in their respective industries as the highest level of safety system compliance. Long-term plans to employ these best-in-class safety systems and processes at our Power Plant and Mine were initiated in 2016.
Operations & Cost Management
Operational excellence at Prairie State is best defined by Power Plant reliability and Mine efficiency. Changes made in 2016, including reduction in planned outage frequency, improvements in boiler maintenance practices, and improved mining techniques, are resulting in stronger operational performance. In each of the last two years, Prairie State’s operating expense ranked in the five best nationally in comparison with other coal facilities larger than 500 megawatts. A detailed process was established in 2016 to assure all projects provide adequate return on investment. This increased discipline is resulting in lower project cost, fewer contractors, and safer, more efficient operations.
Talent Readiness
In order to have a great company you must have great people. This year we upgraded our hiring standards and established diversity and inclusion goals. We want everyone at Prairie State to feel well-equipped to perform their job functions and empowered to share new ideas. In 2017 we will create a formal employee development process that will give the members of our team the tools to improve their skills, generate teamwork, and align with our pursuit of excellence. Each day we come to work at Prairie State we are cognizant of the unique opportunity we have to make a difference. As a company 100 percent owned by not-for-profit public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives, our success translates into growth and prosperity for the communities we serve. Electricity makes things better – it powers hospitals, businesses, homes, and schools. All of us at Prairie State are committed to excellence in our ability to continue to provide “Power from the Prairie.”
