Behind Every Megawatt: Powered by People

When most people think about power plant operations, chemistry may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for Jacob Long, a performance and industrial hygiene technician at the John Amos Power Plant in Winfield, W. Va., it plays a critical role in keeping equipment running safely and efficiently.

A key part of Long's job is monitoring the chemistry of water used throughout the generation process. By carefully tracking chemical conditions before and after steam is created, he helps protect critical equipment and supports the safe, reliable operation of plant systems.

"People are often surprised by how hands-on the job is," Long said. "You think of chemistry as something that happens in a lab, but a lot of my work involves getting out into the plant, collecting samples, troubleshooting equipment and finding solutions."

Long joined AEP because of the opportunities close to home and the company's strong reputation, but it's the people who have kept him here.

"Everyone is willing to help, and there's a strong team environment. When you walk through the plant, people smile, say hello and support one another. The culture really stands out," said Long.

That sense of teamwork is especially important in the fast-paced environment of a power plant. Employees across the facility work together every day to keep operations safe, reliable and efficient. Whether working in the lab, maintaining equipment or coordinating with operations, they rely on one another to keep the plant running effectively.

"You can have the best coaches in the world, but at the end of the day, the players are the ones who win the game," said JL Perry II, plant manager at Amos. "That's why employees like Jacob are our most important asset."

Employees like Jacob Long help power more than generating units. They help power homes, businesses and everyday life across AEP's service territory.