February 2026 most-read stories: Energy security, asset health, and digital maintenance transformation
February’s most-read feature stories share a return to fundamentals, but with higher stakes. From clarifying the role of Electrical Apparatus Service Association Inc. (EASA) in motor repair standards to examining how grid instability directly affects asset health, Plant Services readers gravitated toward content that connects technical fundamentals with emerging operational risk.
Practical guidance on strengthening walkaround inspection programs and a detailed case study on consolidating maintenance planning at Hemlock Semiconductor, where an artificial intelligence layer enhanced planners decision-making, highlight the importance of disciplined maintenance execution, both automated and manual.
Rounding out the best of list, process innovations in the production of critical minerals, rare earth and battery-grade metals, are lowering energy use and strengthening the long-term supply chain.
Don’t miss February top content
The Electrical Apparatus Service Association, Inc. (EASA) is a trade organization that strengthens electro-mechanical equipment reliability for industrial workers.
From voltage variability to grid limits, this article explores why energy resilience is emerging as a core challenge for industrial maintenance teams.
Why failure is not an option for walkaround inspection programs
Despite advanced condition monitoring, many asset failures show no early data signals, making routine visual inspections indispensable in plants.
How American Resources is reducing energy risk and costs in critical minerals manufacturing through low-energy refining, recycling, and modular facility design.
Integrating EAM and ERP solutions allowed the chemical processor to increase productivity by 30%, achieve 80% maintenance capacity, and decrease non-value-added activities by 30%.