Published On: 08.20.15 | 

By: 84

Plant Greene County celebrates 50 years of serving West Alabama

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Alabama Power Plant Greene County celebrates 50 years from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Plant Greene County this week recognized 50 years of operation with the community that has supported it from the beginning.

It was a day of celebrating milestones, but also a day to celebrate friendships, family and the spirit of West Alabama, the region the plant has served reliably for a half century.

Greene County 50 3Former and current plant employees as well as members of the community came together Wednesday for a celebration lunch and open house, which included guided tours of the facility.

Jim Heilbron, Alabama Power’s senior vice president and senior production officer, congratulated the plant employees for their accomplishments and success over the years. He made special note of the plant’s consistently high rankings by the Electric Utility Cost Group.

“Greene County is routinely named in the top three for its peer group,” said Heilbron. “It is a testament to the great job Greene County employees do on behalf of the plant and for customers.”

Chip Beeker, a member of the Alabama Public Service Commission and a Greene County resident, talked about his love for the area and the importance of the plant for West Alabama.

“It is a pleasure to live in Greene County,” said Beeker. “And when people talk about Greene County, I take it personally.”

The day also provided time for reflection about the plant and its historic ties to Greene County and the region. Displays of old photographs, scrapbooks and news clippings filled the plant auditorium, creating a temporary museum about the plant. Current and former employees visited with each other and shared stories about working together at the plant.

Mark Crosswhite, Alabama Power chairman, president and CEO, remarked on the role employees have played over the years at Plant Greene County.

“To the retirees, I appreciate all of you being here. This is all possible because of the work you did and the great work you have done for the past 50 years,” said Crosswhite. “To the current employees, the plant runs great. You keep the lights on and we know we can always count on Greene County.”

Plant Manager Riley Wells said, “Our vision for this event was to bring together employees, retirees, and community leaders to celebrate our 50 years of service to our customers and to our community.

“Employees, past and present, have established a legacy of exceptional performance,” Wells added.

Jennifer Cassity, the plant’s compliance and support manager, said, “I was born and raised in this area so Greene County will always hold a special place in my heart. But aside from that, it’s the people. I think it is important to celebrate how the plant started, and who we are now because the landscape of the plant is going to be very different in the future.”

Federal environmental mandates are forcing changes at Plant Greene County. Next year, the plant’s coal-fired generating units will begin using gas as their primary source of fuel. The plant’s workforce will be reduced over time with the fuel change, although no layoffs are expected. Instead, the reductions will be accomplished through attrition and transfers.

While the changes are costly, the investment ensures that Greene County will continue to be an important part of Alabama Power’s generating fleet, as well as an economic driver for West Alabama, for many years to come.