Much credit for Jeffrey Energy Centers success goes to the dedicated utility plant employees, represented by IBEW Local 304, Topeka. Past recipients of the annual award also are represented by IBEW local unions.

IBEW Local 304 JEC workers win high industry praise for their key role in helping the coal-powered plant achieve its excellent safety and performance record.

"The key to our success has been the employees," JEC executive director Dave Neufeld told trade publication Power (April 2003). "Our employees want the plant to be successful. They understand the commitment it takes."

Local 304 represents JECs control room operators, fuel equipment operators, instrument and control technicians, chemical analysis technicians, journeyman electricians, journeyman mechanics, and maintenance and troubleshooting technicians.

"IBEW members at Jeffrey have really stepped up to the plate to meet a lot of challenges," said Local 304 Business Manager Paul E. Lira. "Our members helped implement some of the changes necessary to be successful."

Selection criteria for the PRB award include plant safety, plant performance, environmental achievements and overall plant cleanliness. "Industry recognition as a pacesetter plant was earned through company and employee dedication to finding and adopting the safest possible coal-handling practices," Power reported.

Union workers at JEC maintain a good balance between safety practices and production, Business Manager Lira said. "Local 304 members are proud of the amount of electricity they can produce, operating with safety and efficiency."

In 2002, Jeffrey Energy Centers "dedicated employees handled 10.7 million tons of coal, producing 15.3 million net MWha new plant record," Power reported. JEC also "set a new plant availability record in 2002 at 93 percent. The summer forced outage rate was a minuscule 0.85 percent, well below the industry average of 4.9 percent." The workers also achieved a good safety record of 3.0 incidents per 200,000 man-hours.

Past recipients of the PRB Plant of the Year award, and the representing IBEW locals are: Alabama Powers Miller Generating StationIBEW Local 833, Jasper, Alabama (System Council U-19); Dominion Energys Kincaid Power StationIBEW Local 15, Downers Grove, Illinois; AmerenUEs Labadie Power PlantIBEW Local 2, St. Louis, Missouri; and Westar Energys Tecumseh Energy Centeralso IBEW Local 304.

A sign proudly displayed at the entrance of Jeffrey Energy Center power plant in St. Marys, Kansas, where nearly 300 IBEW Local 304 members are employed.