2025 Plant Retirement Conference

February 25-26, 2025 | Nashville, TN ::

0225-plant-retirement

The conference is well attended by owners who have performed the work and they are willing to honestly share good & bad experiences.” Business Development, Brandenburg

“Rather than a typical conference with consultants & contractors vying for client contacts/opportunities, this conference provided great insight into major utility’s successes and best practices for plant decommission.” Principal Engineer, Anchor QEA

“The quality of the presentations was outstanding! The topics covered were very relevant and the information shared will be very helpful to me.” Manager-Decommissioning, DTE Energy

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“Hearing other companies talk about the decommissioning process and their “lessons learned” is a valuable resource to the newcomers in this type of work. Knowing what not to do helps guide us to knowing what to do.” Senior Engineer, Santee Cooper

“Very informative sessions and enjoyed the discussion.” Plant Manager, Newfoundland Hydro/Nalcor Energy

“I really enjoyed the conference and have a much better understanding of all of the constituents needed to decommission/mothball a power plant.” Sr. Business Analyst, Southern Company

“Presentations provided valuable information on a timely subject affecting the power industry.” General Manager, Wisconsin Public Service

“This was a great introduction to and overview of utility experience in decommissioning and repurposing closed coal sites. I learned a lot for a new job role.” Sr. Program Manager, Wastewater Treatment, TVA

“An excellent conference to gain knowledge and share experiences with other stakeholders in the power industry.” General Manager, Business Support & Administration, Jamaica Public Service

Closing fossil fuel generation sites is a complex and multi-faceted process, involving numerous stakeholders, each with unique challenges and priorities. This program is designed to equip both newcomers and experienced professionals with critical, actionable insights that can be directly applied to current and future plant closure projects. Attendees will gain comprehensive guidance on the phases of plant closure, critical safety protocols, and effective risk mitigation practices. Real-world case studies, expert insights, and a Q&A session will illuminate best practices and lessons learned, fostering safer and more successful project outcomes.

Register today to gain invaluable knowledge for executing efficient, safe, and community-conscious plant closures.

Learning Outcomes

• Gain insights into the organizational structure and operations of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as a federally owned power generation and transmission corporation
• Discuss the future of plant closings and what may occur
• Review effective contractor vetting processes to address the unique complexities of fossil fuel plant closures
• Review from a real-world example of a failed implosion, exploring resolution tactics and key lessons learned
• Discover strategies for meaningful community engagement around planned plant closures to support economic and social transitions
• Examine the comprehensive team effort that led to a successful urban plant closure
• Engage and participate in a panel discussion with subject matter experts on safety and risk mitigation
• Identify key considerations for managing partial facility closures and selective demolition  
• List the benefits of having a strong construction management team in your project

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

8:30 – 9:15 a.m. :: Announcements and Welcome

This first session welcomes everyone to the program, shares insights into TVA, but also will discuss the future of plant closures and what may be occurring in the field.

Jayme Hobson, Decommissioning General Manager, Tennessee Valley Authority

9:15 – 10:15 a.m. :: Contractor Vetting for Selection of Bidders

This presentation will review what factors to consider in picking bidders as learned from multiple projects.

• How to conduct a background check – company background
• Safety – incident rates, DART rate, EMR, OSHA records
• Environmental review
• Financial & Insurance
• Technical experience and qualifications
• Past projects and personnel qualifications

Rick Boyd, Director of Generation Projects, Dominion Energy

10:15 – 10:45 a.m. :: Networking Break

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. :: Concrete Stack Squatting and an Innovative Felling Technique

 An implosion of a thin-walled, wide diameter concrete stack resulted in a squatted structure that remained standing. An innovative approach was utilized to fell the leaning structure safely and eliminated the risk to workers. A detailed analysis of the implosion was performed and lessons learned were developed.

Jason Curtsinger PE, D4 Senior Manager, Tennessee Valley Authority

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. :: Group Luncheon

12:45 – 1:45 p.m. :: Tri-State Generation & Transmission Unwinding Coal

This session will discuss four components to a successful shutting down and closing of a plant that is a major part of the community.

• The Runway (from announcement to shutdown)
• The People Side of Decommissioning
• The Community Side of Decommissioning
• The Technical Side of Decommissioning 

Sarah Carlisle, Senior External Affairs Advisor, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Assn. Inc.  

Tim Osborn, Vice President Generation, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Assn. Inc.

1:45 – 2:45 p.m. :: Martin Drake Power Plant Demolition Case Study

The plant demolition for the Colorado Springs Utilities had its share of both environmental and urban setting challenges. With the dedicated crew and the team approach, the project is closing out as a success and will be revitalizing downtown Colorado Springs with new green space.

Douglas Thomas, Vice President – Project Management, Independence Excavating, Inc.

Colorado Springs Utilities (invited)

2:45 – 3:15 p.m. :: Networking Break

3:15 – 4:30 p.m. :: Panel Discussion: Project Success through Safety and Reducing Risk 

This moderated question-and-answer session will dive into the various unknowns and challenges that make these closure projects complicated operations with the focus being on reducing risk, improving safety, and promoting all around success. Attendees should feel free to ask their questions of these expert panelists.

Panel Moderator: Eric J. Szkolnyj, General Manager – Plant Demolition & Retirement, Duke Energy

Rick Boyd, Director of Generation Projects, Dominion Energy

Jason Curtsinger, PE, Decommissioning Engineering Manager, Tennessee Valley Authority

Tim Osborn, Vice-President Generation, Tri-State Generation and Transmission

Matt Jenrow, Engineering Manager and Lead Engineer, Consumers Energy

 

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

 

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. :: Considerations for Power Plant Demolition While Maintaining Active Generation

Demolishing a facility like a plant is complicated enough but doing so when active generation units must remain, adds a new level of complexity. This presentation will review some of those challenges.

• Overview of the MISO seasonal construction and priority of keeping active generation units available
• Scoping of the work to minimize the potential disruption to generation
• Managing outages required to complete the work while minimizing disruption to generation
• Maintaining open lines of communication with many on-site stakeholders
• Responding to unplanned outages and returning the units to service

Erin Busby, Principal Project Manager, Consumers Energy

Matt Jenrow, Engineering Manager and Lead Engineer, Consumers Energy

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. :: Invaluable Lessons Learned in Demolition

This session will dive into the various challenges and solutions that have been garnered from years of experience demolishing power plants and what anyone should know as they take on such a project.

• Lessons learned from decades of experience
• How to pre-qualify a contractor expanded
• Case Study: Logan Generating Station and Chambers Co-Generation Station

Frank Bodami, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Total Wrecking and Environmental, LLC

Brian Colson, Decommissioning and Demolition Manager, Black & Veatch

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. :: Networking Break

11:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. :: Mastering Demolition: Techniques, Safety, and Strategic Contracting for Project Success

This comprehensive presentation delves into the essential methods and safety measures behind successful demolition, with insights valuable to both seasoned professionals and newcomers. We’ll examine a range of techniques, their advantages, and how safety protocols safeguard people and assets. Additionally, we’ll discuss key contracting terms and language to help you navigate agreements with clarity and confidence and highlight how recycling can reduce costs and add value. Gain the knowledge needed to select qualified contractors and optimize your project’s results, from start to finish.

Mark Ramun, Vice President – Industrial Services, Jackson Demolition Service, Inc

12:00 p.m. :: Conference Wrap-up and Conclusion

• Frank Bodami, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Total Wrecking and Environmental

• Rick Boyd, Director of Generation Projects, Dominion Energy

• Erin Busby, Principal Project Manager, Consumers Energy

• Sarah Carlisle, Senior External Affairs Advisor, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Assn. Inc.

• Brian Colson, Decommissioning and Demolition Manager, Black & Veatch

• Jason Curtsinger, PE, Decommissioning Engineering Manager, Tennessee Valley Authority

• Jayme Hobson, Decommissioning General Manager, Tennessee Valley Authority

• Matt Jenrow, Engineering Manager and Lead Engineer, Consumers Energy

• Tim Osborn, Vice President Generation, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Assn. Inc.  

• Mark Ramun, Vice President – Industrial Services, Jackson Demolition Service, Inc

• Douglas Thomas, Vice President – Project Management, Independence Excavating, Inc.

Please Note: Confirmed speakers do not need to register and are encouraged to participate in all sessions of the event. If you are a speaker and have any questions please contact our offices at 1.303.770.8800

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

2025 Plant Retirement Conference

February 25-26, 2025 | Nashville, TN

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before January 24, 2025 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.9 CEUs for this event.

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the conference to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Case studies, PowerPoint presentations, and group discussion will be used in this event.

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Conference CPE Credits: 10.0
There is no prerequisite for this Conference.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Live
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org