April 27, 2005
News Release 05-09
Gary Miller, Communications Specialist
(509) 377-8728
RICHLAND, WA – Energy Northwest has achieved ISO 14001 registration, certifying that its environmental management system conforms to the stringent requirements of the International Standards Organization. The public power agency is the first power producer in the state of Washington to achieve ISO 14001 registration.
ISO 14001 is a globally-recognized standard designed to help companies build effective environmental management systems and reduce the environmental impact of their operations. It requires an organization to identify potential environmental impacts and establish controls to appropriately minimize those impacts, monitor environmental performance, and establish a formal process for continually improving the system.
Leading corporations around the world, and the agencies which regulate them, recognize development of formal environmental, health and safety management systems as keys to improving compliance, enhancing innovation, and reducing both risks and costs.
To achieve registration, Energy Northwest underwent a rigorous third-party audit of its environmental management system to verify its conformity to all requirements. Energy Northwest will undergo annual audits by an accredited auditing firm to ensure the ISO 14001 standard is maintained.
“Environmental stewardship means respecting and caring for the land, water, air, and wildlife near our facilities,” noted Vic Parrish, Energy Northwest’s CEO. “It also means developing clean, reliable energy sources for the future. For several years, we have steered our organization based on a desire to protect the environment. This ISO 14001 registration is a significant accomplishment, but more than that, it is an environmental commitment for the future.”
In its recommendation for certification, NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd., an independent third-party environmental review firm from Ann Arbor, Michigan, singled out several aspects of Energy Northwest’s program as being particularly noteworthy. Those included the implementation phase of the system, an effective training program, and fostering good awareness of the environmental commitment among the work force.
Founded in 1946, ISO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. ISO has developed international voluntary consensus standards for manufacturing, communication, trade, and management systems. Over 100 countries have national standards bodies that are members of ISO. Major corporations that have received the ISO 14001 designation include 3M Company, Johnson & Johnson, Ford and Battelle.
Energy Northwest is a joint operating agency headquartered in Richland, Washington. It is comprised of 19 member public utilities in Washington. It owns and operates Columbia Generating Station, Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project, Nine Canyon Wind Project and White Bluffs Solar Station.
NOTE: There will be a brief presentation ceremony and media opportunity beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday (April 29) at the Energy Northwest offices, 3000 George Washington Way, Richland, WA. Participants will be available for interviews.