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Organizational Effectiveness-Bull Run Fossil Plant

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number
2022-17354
Report Type
Inspection / Evaluation
Description
The Office of the Inspector General conducted a review of Bull Run Fossil Plant (BRF) organization to identify factors that could impact BRF’s organizational effectiveness. Additionally, the scope of this evaluation included identifying lessons learned for future coal plant closures. During the course of our evaluation, we identified positive interactions between coworkers and with various levels of plant management. In addition, TVA’s communication of BRF’s retirement plans, the support provided through Power Operations’ long term workforce strategy, and having an on-site Human Resources representative were seen as positive. However, BRF employees expressed concerns related to: the ability to operate BRF until retirement due to longstanding deteriorated conditions, inadequate staffing, and increased safety risk. We also found opportunities exist to improve site-specific plant knowledge and fire brigade staffing.
Joint Report
Yes
Participating OIG
Tennessee Valley Authority OIG
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

We recommend the Vice President, Power Operations, Coal, continue implementation of the long-term workforce strategy at future retiring sites and develop contingency plans to address the potential that workforce risks are realized at future retiring sites.

We recommend the Vice President, Power Operations, Coal, work with the Executive Vice President, Chief People and Communications Officer, to assess the need for on-site Human Resources support for future plant closures.

We recommend the Vice President, Power Operations, Coal, evaluate the operational and safety risks resulting from deteriorated asset condition and dropping below critical staffing thresholds, and mitigate the risks as necessary.

We recommend the Vice President, Power Operations, Coal, address training concerns related to site-specific plant knowledge at both Bull Run Fossil Plant as well as other future closing plants.

We recommend the Vice President, Power Operations, Coal, ensure newly-hired operations personnel are provided training necessary to be qualified Bull Run Fossil Plant fire brigade members.