John Corn is vice president of the Environmental Services Group at ENERCON Services Inc. He previ- ously worked for Sunbelt Technical Service and Public Service Company of Oklahoma. He has a nuclear
engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
1: What does ENERCON do?
We're a diversified energy consulting firm specializing in engineering, environmental and management services.
ENERCON was founded in Tulsa in 1983 and has grown to 25 offices nationwide plus international offices in Belgium and Abu Dhabi. Our clients include most major electric utilities, chemical and nuclear fuel cycle facilities, oil and natural gas companies, the federal government and many Fortune 500 companies.
ENERCON has grown to be one of the largest firms providing engineering services to the electric utility industry. Engineering News Record has ranked ENERCON in the top 3 of U.S. nuclear engineering companies, top 25 in power engineering and top 200 in environmental services.
ENERCON's operations include four major divisions: power generation services, new plant services, environmental services, and federal services.
We converted to an employee ownership in 1992 and are 100 percent employee owned.
2: How did you get interested in nuclear engineering?
I had an affinity for science and math and felt that engineering might be a good fit for me when considering a career. In my junior year in high school I was seriously investigating what engineers did for a living. To explore this career choice, I participated in activities of the Junior Engineering Technical Society chapter.
In the fall of 1970, I entered the University of Oklahoma as a petroleum engineering major, which I later changed to nuclear engineering.
After graduation, I worked exclusively on nuclear construction projects for the next 13 years.
3: In the wake of the Fukushima disaster, worldwide nuclear output fell by 4.3 percent last year. What is your outlook for the future of the nuclear power industry?
The change in output is understandable as many plants shut down for inspections and changes to address lessons from Fukushima. In fact, most of Japan's 48 units were shut down during 2012 for inspections.
However, the outlook for the future for nuclear power is still bright around the world. There are many drivers for this, but the need for secure power, reduction in emissions and stable fuel costs seem to be on most lists of important factors. Getting this mix right for any country creates a balancing act to determine the best approach of energy mix and policy.
Based on data from the Nuclear Energy Institute, as of May 2013 there are 436 operating nuclear plants worldwide with 100 operating reactors in the United States. There are 70 new nuclear plants under construction worldwide with five of these in the U.S. There are more than 160 new reactors on order or being planned and more than 300 proposed and under discussion.
4: Are companies facing more rules and regulations these days as far as environmental compliance?
The number of rules and rule changes that companies have to comply with has increased at a dizzying pace. Last week, I counted 117 new or proposed changes in rules by the Environmental Protection Agency alone.
That is just one agency, and there are dozens of agencies that issue rules for businesses.
5: What advice would you have for a student who is interested in a career in environmental engineering?
Engineering is a path proven to start you at higher pay rates than many college degrees.
If you're interested in an environmental engineering program - or any other discipline for that matter such as civil, electrical, or mechanical - make sure you know the school's expectation of the student and the course offerings along with electives. Select only accredited degree programs to avoid issues for professional licensing.
I also recommend internships so that you get some practical experience.
John Corn is vice president of the Environmental Services Group at ENERCON Services Inc. He previously worked for Sunbelt Technical Service and Public Service Company of Oklahoma. He has a nuclear engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma.
Original Print Headline: Engineered for lasting success
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