IEA Safety Joins MNCEG Tour of Xcel’s Black Dog Energy Plant

On June 18, 2025, IEA Safety had the privilege of joining the Minnesota Chief Engineer Guild (MNCEG) and Xcel Energy staff on an exclusive tour of the Black Dog Energy Plant in Burnsville. The day combined in-depth facility walkthroughs, technical insights, and valuable networking opportunities that reinforced the critical role of safety engineering and operational excellence in our industry.

🔍 Key Takeaways from the Day

  • Modernization in action: Xcel’s shift from coal to natural gas-combined cycle units showcases a national energy trend. With Units 6‑1 (2018) and BDS0 (2002) delivering over 560 MW of clean energy, the facility exemplifies how utilities can evolve toward lower-carbon operations
  • Safety first: Rigorous PPE protocols were observed throughout—hard hats, eye/ear protection, long pants, and steel‑toed footwear—alongside best practices in confined spaces, lockout/tagout, and hazard control.
  • Environmental leadership: Electrostatic precipitators capture residual ash for repurposing, and the 2019 demolition of the last coal smokestacks marked a major milestone toward Xcel’s objective of an 80% emissions reduction by 2030 and carbon-free generation by 2050
  • Engineering insights: From control rooms and turbine halls to auxiliary systems, the tour offered a front-row seat to integrated systems design, maintenance protocols, and ramping strategies for peak power demand

🤝 Why It Matters for IEA Safety

IEA Safety remains committed to championing frameworks and tools that boost operational safety and efficiency in the utilities and energy sectors. Being onsite, exchanging ideas with MNCEG (https://mnceg.org/) peers, and learning from Xcel’s leadership underscores our shared determination to advance safe, sustainable engineering solutions.

A sincere thank you to MNCEG and Xcel Energy for organizing this exceptional experience. We look forward to supporting and collaborating on future initiatives. For more information on Minnesota Chief Engineers Guild, MNCEG, click here: https://mnceg.org/