Organizational Effectiveness-Bull Run Fossil Plant

Submitting OIG:

Report 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.

Date Issued:

Friday, September 2, 2022

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Tennessee Valley Authority

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

2022-17354

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Inspection / Evaluation

Questioned Costs:

Funds for Better Use:

Number of Recommendations:

View Document:

Attachment	Size
2022-17354.pdf	2.01 MB

Related Open Recommendations

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation
ISS.2 - 1	Open	No
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.
ISS.3 - 1	Open	Yes
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.
ISS.4 - 1	Open	No
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.
ISS.5 - 1	Open	No
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.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

ISS.2 - 1

Open

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.

ISS.3 - 1

Open

Yes

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.

ISS.4 - 1