March 21, 2006
News Release 06-05
Gary Miller, Communications Specialist
(509) 377-8728
RICHLAND, Wash. – Energy Northwest’s Environmental Management System has been recertified to the latest International Standards Organization 14001 environmental standards by an independent team of auditors.
The comprehensive review of the public power agency’s EMS program was completed last week by NSF-ISR, an independent third-party environmental review firm from Ann Arbor, Mich. Energy Northwest was initially registered to the ISO 14001 standard in March 2005.
“This recertification validates our continuing compliance with the stringent environmental requirements of the ISO,” said Energy Northwest CEO, Vic Parrish. “This is very gratifying for the entire organization. We believe an Environmental Management System makes good business sense, but more than that, it’s the right thing to do. It’s an essential part of our commitment to providing affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible electric power for the region’s ratepayers,” he added.
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 management systems as key to improving compliance,
enhancing innovation, and reducing both risks and costs. Energy Northwest will continue to receive annual audits to ensure the ISO 14001 standard is maintained.
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.