May, 2014 Volume 12, Issue 5

Your Electrical Connection

May, 2014

Volume 12, Issue 5

Inside this issue:

Unit 1 Outage Com-pleted Early (Cont.)

2

Hospice Volunteers 2

Way To Go Doc 3

Congratulations Tomand Nathan

4

The Big Splash 5

Plant AnniversariesCelebrated

6


7


8

Wellness Corner 9

Upcoming Events 9

Plant Anniversaries 9

Roger’s World 3

Let’s Meet For a Pint 5

Safety CommitteeHighlights

4

Number of Days Since Last...

First Aid 70

Recordable 276

Lost Time 292

* Numbers based on May15, 2014.

Safety Stats:

Unit 1 Outage Completed Early…Brian Reich

The beginning…Call me Ishmael… or…On April 25 @ 10:23 PM Unit 1 was taken off line for ascheduled 21.8 day outage.As most of you know, the reason for the scheduled/unscheduled Unit 1 outage was to inspectand repair the cracks found by the insurance inspector in the Unit 1 Steam Drum earlier in theyear. Engineering and Hayes Mechanical developed a schedule for the repairs to the drum.The repairs were estimated to take 22 days after the unit was offline. With the 22 day outagescheduled for April 25– May 17, Engineering, Mechanical Maintenance, Operations and LabServices began the routine task of developing an outage package that could be completed dur-ing the 22 day outage. WO’s and Projects that were included in the outage package (known toall Maximo users as Callback Code “U1 FO 042514”) are listed below.

· Inspect and repair the cracks found by the insurance inspector in the main boiler drum.· Install ladder bars in precipitator to straighten bent plates to restore full clearance.· Replace four burner nozzles on the “A” elevation.· FGD to erect new towers under U1 345KV line.· Complete over speed testing on the main turbine and 1B high pressure boiler feed pump

turbines.· Internally inspect various fans, dampers, ducts and vessels· Complete 227 Balance of Plant work orders and PR’sThe middle:As with most outages, things go well until they don’t. We recover and things go well again untilthey don’t. This outage was no exception. Initial findings of the steam drum indicated the cracksin the drum were not as severe as expected. Consequently, a new schedule for steam drumrepairs indicated that the outage would be completed 3 days early (Great news).Inspection of the main condensers revealed the expansion joint on the “1A Main” would need tobe replaced (Not great news).Inspection of the boiler indicated two damaged tubes in the FSH that would require two dutch-men and further inspection of the boiler during an air test indicated a water wall leak (Not greatnews).Inspection of the blowdown tank indicated erosion inside the tank was severe and major repairswould be required prior to releasing the boiler for hydro (Not great news).Repairs to the steam drum continued to go well with all indications that the critical path job wouldbe completed 6 days sooner than the original schedule indicated (Great News, however).The “however” mentioned above meant that the new critical path job would be the blowdowntank repairs.

I know it’s suspenseful but as most of you already know the outcome—I’ll skip to the end.The boiler tube leak repairs and the blowdown tank repairs were completed relatively close tothe same time.As the result of hard work, dedication and good team work, the unit was ready for hydro 4 days,22 hours and 30 minutes earlier than originally expected. During hydro, a division panel tubeleak was discovered. This leak was likely the result of boiler blasting during the first weekend ofthe outage. The tube leak was repaired, scaffold removed from the boiler, boiler doors shut andthe unit was ready for boiler firing 24 hours later.Although there were minor (normal) issues with startup, it went well and the Unit was synchro-nized Tuesday May 13th @ 2:06 am (6 minutes later than Ross had predicted). Sync was 4Days 17 Hours and 54 Minutes earlier than the original schedule. (Great news)

Your Electrical Connection Volume 12, Issue 5

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Unit 1 Outage Completed Early (Continued)…Brian Reich

Results:

¨ Cracks in the steam drum and both mud drums have been repaired.¨ Ladder bars in the 1B side Precip have been installed to help lower opacity. Wires and weights were also installed in sev-

eral “B” side hoppers. The results, so far, have been impressive and should help us stay in compliance during the sum-mer peak season.

¨ All 4 burner nozzles on the “A” elevation were replaced, burner tilts were internally inspected and additional repairs com-pleted by MM and I/E.

¨ The FGD Project erected new towers under Unit 1 345KV line.¨ Boiler tube leaks were repaired in the FSH and DP¨ Major repairs were completed on the blowdown tank¨ The 1A Main Condenser expansion joint was replaced¨ Balance of plant work included the completion of 220 WO’s and PR’sEveryone involved in the outage should feel proud that all of this work was completed safely, professionally, efficiently andahead of schedule. Thank you to all involved.

Hospice Volunteers…Twyla Harvey

Last week we received 2 requests for Hospice work.Hopefully, one request can be taken care of in one day—working on an air conditioner.The second request is for yard work—mowing, weed eating,etc. We have enough volunteers that we can set up a rota-tion to get this done. If you would like to help, even if it is justfor a week, please let me know; we can ALWAYS use morevolunteers, especially for work like this. We have no cluehow long we will be doing this. This patient lives in CrawfordCounty.

On a more happy note…..Curt Collins came to me with aGREAT IDEA on how to raise money for our Hospice pro-gram; a Newton Power Station cookbook.

We are going to start collecting recipes and when we get agood amount, we are going to publish the cookbook and sellthem, with proceeds going to the Hospice program here atNewton. PLEASE start submitting your favorite recipes toany of us girls in the office.I am so excited about this and I know there are some fabu-lous cooks at this plant. We will offer these for sale to notjust plant people, but Collinsville and Houston employees aswell as the other Dynegy Plants. I am already trying to figureout how many I will need to buy for family members as wellas friends.Please start submitting your favorite recipes. Thank you somuch, Curt, for the great idea!

1B precip ladder bars,wires and weights. AskAlan T., Ron H., KevinH. or Galen S. for a bet-ter explanation of thispicture. (Left)

Internals of steamdrum during disassem-bly. (Right)


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Roger’s World...Roger Bass

This month, I just have a few random thoughts. Just someobservations I have made over the last few years. As al-ways, the opinions expressed here are not those of the com-pany or management. They are just part of my world.There was a time when a television was a piece of furniture.Now it’s a picture on the wall.Where I grew up, we were lucky. There were three televisionstations to watch. And they went off the air late at night.Now there are hundreds of channels broadcasting 24 hours aday and nothing to watch.There was also a time when you could leave the doors toyour house unlocked. I don’t think that happens much any-more.Any given day in the summer, you could go to the local ballpark and find enough kids to get a ball game going. Youwent to the local pool almost every day during the summer.You could barely swim at the pool. There were so many kidsin the water there wasn’t enough room. You had to wait inline just to get to the diving boards. There must have been ahundred bicycles at the park and none of them had to belocked to the bike racks.A new car cost twice what I paid for my first house. When Ibought the house, I thought the interest rate was a bargain at18%.Speaking of cars, the first new car I bought was in 1975. Thesticker price for the car was $5600. The car was loaded and

included the Corinthian leather seats. Anybody rememberthe commercial with Ricardo Montalban? How about Fan-tasy Island?I bought a 40 megabyte hard drive for my computer in1987. Today, I can buy a hard drive with 100,000 timesmore storage for the same price.It used to be a full service gas station was a place thatsomeone would come out to your car and pump the gas,check your oil, wash your windows and check the air in yourtires. Now a full service gas station is one where you haveto pump your own gas, check your own oil, wash your ownwindows and pay a dollar to put air in your tires. But youcan buy bread, milk, sandwiches, a hundred different candybars and beer.I went to a parade. After it was over, I noticed lots of tootsierolls still on the ground. I figure either times are getting bet-ter or kids are getting pickier.I used to hate the thought of getting old. Now I look forwardto the senior discount.My dad passed away two years ago this month. I kept hispost office box. A few months ago, he got a letter from thelocal phone company. They miss him and want him back.You know what, I do too!Till next time, be safe.

As a long standing goal, Lloyd (Doc) Holliday complet-ed the necessary requirements and received his Asso-ciates Degree in General Studies from Olney CentralCollege on May 9, 2014. Doc graduated with honors.

Congratulations Doc!


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Safety Committee Highlights…David Heath

Dare To Be Aware; that is the safety slogan for the month ofMay. I can remember when my daughters were in school therewas a Dare Program. The Dare in this case stood for DrugAwareness and Resistance Education. The point of the pro-gram was to help young children to know the dangers of drugsand how they have a bad influence on your life.When I think of Dare To Be Aware in regard to safety thequestion is, are we allowing our training and our work habits tokeep us safe or are we allowing other pressures to put us inharms way? Many young people start on drugs and alcoholbecause they want to be accepted or be cool. They don’t thinkit will lead to a life changing event or develop a habit that isalmost impossible to break. Do we take short cuts or put our-selves at risk because we want to break safety rules? I don’tthink that is the case at all. When it comes to safety, we takeshort cuts and put ourselves at risk because we short circuitthe education part of the Dare program. We know the rules,we are trained on the rules; but, yet we ignore the rules and dosome things that we know we shouldn’t. Most of the time weget away with the shortcuts; but there is always that one timethat could lead to a life changing event. We do not want that tohappen, here at work or at home. The bottom line is this, weneed to Dare ourselves and those around us to be Aware ofthe hazards, to be Aware of the conditions, to be Aware of oursurroundings, and to take actions that keep us safe.The safety record here at Newton once again is looking great.

CONGRATULATIONSTom Beverlin on being the successful bidder of the Lube Man position!

Nathan Richardson on being the successful bidder of the Welder Repairman Apprentice position!

We are over 2 months since the last first aid, we are over8 months since the last recordable, and over 9 monthssince the last lost time. We are once again closing in onthe 1 year without a lost time injury, let’s all work safe andnot only make one year but the rest of our careers herewithout any injuries.The Safety Committee meeting was held on May 1. Therewas one issue that was discussed that we can all help on,that is communication. In this particular instance the out-side fire loop was out of service for repair work. It wasdiscovered that not all plant personnel knew of the outageand, in addition, Jasper Fuels and the FGD project peoplewere not aware of this outage. We can all work to makecommunication better. Kent Schafer is in the process ofstarting the new Fire Impairment Program so stay tunedas we work for ways to increase our communication onFire Protection work.


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Let’s Meet For a Pint...Connie Kerner

This is your last chance to earn balls to “Dunk the Boss!!! ---- Save a Life!!!”Where: American Red Cross Blood Drive –EDC Assembly RoomWhen: Tuesday, June 10, from 1-5 PMHow:2 balls = Donated at the February 04 drive2 balls= Donate at the June 10 drive2 balls= Donated at the February & June drives. (Total of 6 balls)

2 balls= Bring a friend that is a first time donor

2 balls = Co-worker or family that has not given blood in the past 6 months or has never given blood at the Newton Power Sta-tion.2 balls= Family member donates at the Newton Power Station

2 balls= Provide goodies for the canteen

2 balls = Volunteer to make reminder calls for the drives

1 ball = Company goal achieved!

1 ball = 20% over Company goal achieved!

Dunk the Boss - Wednesday June 18 @1:30 PMPrizes, ice cream bars and lots of laughs!!

This will be the last blood drive that I will coordinate at the Newton Power Station before I retire. We started the blood drivesFebruary, 2004, and it is my desire that they will continue for many years.As I reflect on our past victories, successes and recognize the true impact of the amazing group of people that you are. I re-member, that YOU made a choice to join a very select group. A group of people that know a simple way to make a differencebetween life and death; is to ensure blood is available when patients are in need.Toya Sarpy, American Red Cross Recruitment Manager and Julie Kerner, Donor Recruitment Representative, came for an on-site visit. With their help, I hope to make this a memorable blood drive.I am extending a special invitation to meet at the American Red Cross Blood Drive, on Tuesday, June 10, from 1-5 PM in theEDC Assembly room to celebrate YOU! Whether you are a donor, a volunteer, a friend or family, together we can save lives.You may sign up as a donor, volunteer or goodies for the canteen @ G:\NEWTON\General\Nurse\Blood Drive Sign-up.xls

The Big Splash...Connie Kerner


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Plant Anniversaries Celebrated...Twyla Harvey

Duane Sanders celebrated 35 years of service at Newton Power Station onApril 22, 2014. Duane and his fellow 3-11 employees enjoyed a fresh straw-berry dessert.Duane started at Newton on April 19, 1979, as an Utilityman 1st 6 Months.On May 10, 1979, Duane became a Process Operator Helper (POH) andlater moved up to a Process Operator 3 (PO3); both jobs being an operatorin the scrubber. On May 16, 1982, Duane became an AO, and on February5, 1984, be became a WTO; on July 19, 1987, he was the successful bidderof an OA position. Due to a staffing reduction in Operations, Duane wentback to Mechanical Maintenance as an Utilityman Thereafter. On August13, 1989, Duane entered the Repairman apprenticeship program and toppedout as a Journeyman Repairman on May 16, 1992. On April 27, 1997, hewent to the Certified Welder Repairman Apprenticeship program, as a 4th

year apprentice. Duane topped out as a Certified Welder Repairman onMarch 25, 1998, and remains in that position to date.Congratulations Duane on your 35 years of service. It is a pleasure to knowand work with you. Thank you for all your hard work!

Duane receives congratulations fromDepartment Manager, Rick Wolford.

Left to Right: Bob Rohr, Keith Millspaugh, Alan Williams, Guest of Honor, DuaneSanders, Travis Blake, Allen Niemerg, and Roland Chapman; 3-11 Maintenance

Dennis Morgan celebrated 20 years of service on May 7, 2014. Dennis andhis fellow D shift employees enjoyed a rib eye meal.Dennis started at Grand Tower Power Station (CIPS) on April 28, 1994, andtransferred to Newton on May 14, 2000. He came to Newton as an OH andon February 15, 2004, became an AO and remains in that position to date.Congratulations Dennis; we are so glad you transferred to Newton Plant.

Dennis receives congratulationsfrom his boss, Shift Supervisor, JeffTeuerle.


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A cake and coffee celebration was held in honor of Fred Davies and Brian Reich on Thursday, May 15. Fred and Brian bothcelebrated their 35 years of service at Newton Power Station.

Fred started at Newton on May 8, 1979, as an Utilityman 1st 6 Months; 2 days after starting, Fred became a Janitor. On Octo-ber 24, 1993, Fred became a Stockman and on May 4, 1997, he became a Repairman Apprentice 1st Year; he topped out onOctober 27, 2000, as a Welder Repairman.

Fred lives in Mattoon and has 3 sons: Kyle, Jeremy and Ryan. He also has 2 granddaughters—Kenya (13) and Sydney (10)and a grandson—Kolton (10).

Brian Reich started at Newton on May 9, 1979, as an Utilityman 1st 6 Months; 2 days after starting, Brian became a Janitor.On June 21, 1979, Brian bid into Operations as a Process Operator Helper (POH) and he continued moving up through Opera-tions until he became a Process Operator One (PO1). On April 27, 1997, Brian was the successful bidder of a Repairman Ap-prentice 1st Year; he topped out on September 7, 2000, as a Welder Repairman. On May 1, 2002, Brian became a Mainte-nance Supervisor and on August 15, 2007, he transferred to the Effingham Resource Center (ERC) and then transferred backto Newton on August 1, 2009, as a Maintenance Supervisor.

Brian lives in Newton and has 2 daughters: Heather in Ashville, North Carolina and Coryn in Newport Beach, CA. He also has2 grandsons—Logan (6) and Parker (3).

Thank you both for your many years of hard work here at Newton; it is truly a pleasure to work with both of you!

L-R: Brian Reich and Fred Davies

L-R: Carl Will, Josh Fehrenbacher, Jerry Hille, Skip Moore, Pat Simp-son, Duane Menke, Guests of Honor, Fred Davies and Brian Reich, DaveSidwell, Randy Johnson, Jason Cooper, Maintenance Department Man-ager, Rick Wolford, Scott Cummins, Tom Wetherholt, Mike Apple, RonCombs, Travis Dial, and Keith Millspaugh.


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A delicious barbecue meal was enjoyed by Ross Meinhart and his shift, cele-brating his 10 years at Newton plant on May 2.

Ross started at Newton on April 26, 2004, as a Drafting Technician and onApril 1, 2007, he was promoted to Engineer Tech and on December 1, 2009,he was promoted to his present position of Shift Supervisor.

Ross and his wife, Jennifer, live in rural Jasper County. Ross and Jenniferhave 3 children—Max, Isabelle and Scarlett.

Congratulations, Ross, on your 10 years of service; we look forward to havingyou at Newton Plant for many more years. It is a pleasure working with you!

A celebration was held on Tuesday, April 29, for Kent Schafer’s 15 years ofplant service.Kent started at Newton on April 26, 1999, as a Chemist. On April 1, 2002,Kent was promoted to Plant Engineer and on October 1, 2013, he becamethe Senior Safety Specialist at Newton Plant.Kent and his wife, Michelle, live in rural Jasper County. Kent and Michellehave 2 sons – Evan and Kyle and a daughter, Brooke. Kent is very involvedwith the Jasper County community; he has been a volunteer football coach atNewton High School for many years and continues to be a baseball coach forhis sons.Congratulations, Kent, on your first 15 years of service; we look forward toyour next 15. It is a pleasure working with you!

Kent Schafer

Kent receives congratulations fromPlant Manager, John Cooley.

Left to Right: Curt Collins, Joe Walker, ChuckYoung, Guest of Honor, Ross Meinhart, LucasEmmerich, Kirbee Monk, Jim Taylor, TerriFunneman, and Tony Ochs.

Ross receives congratulations fromPlant Manager, John Cooley.


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* Any omissions in this sectionare entirely unintentional.

6/3 Allison Rausch6/4 Ron Osborne6/8 Jamey Webster6/14 Jim Taylor6/18 Dan Ritz6/24 Doug Frohning6/28 Ross Meinhart

Upcoming Events June Anniversaries & Birthdays

June 5 Post Outage MealJune 10 Blood DriveJune 15 Father’s DayJune 18 Dunk the BossSept. 18 Health Fair

10 Years 6/21 Ron Combs10 Years 6/28 Gary Stanciu

Wellness Corner...Twyla Harvey

Insomnia becomes more common with age; however, we still need to get the same amount of sleep as when we were young.Getting enough rest is essential for your body to repair itself and to recharge your energy levels.

This month’s suggested change: GET MORE SLEEP. Some things that help improve your sleep quality is trying to chill out, inmore ways than one. Try to chill out by relaxing, meditating, reading, anything that relaxes you. Another important way to chillout is to turn down the thermostat. Cooler temperatures generally help improve your sleep quality. Sleep experts typically rec-ommend keeping bedroom temperatures between 65—67 degrees. I definitely sleep better when the temperature is cooler.

I am happy to announce that we have a Wellness Committee at our plant; members are Julie Matson, Dean Edrington andmyself. We will be meeting in the near future to plan some fun events for the plant.

DARE TO BE AWARE

Documents

May, 2014 Volume 12, Issue 5