RICHLAND, Wash. – Energy Northwest and Columbia Basin College will hold a ceremony to honor 15 students including one Energy Northwest employee who have earned National Academy for Nuclear Training (NANT) Certificates. The students will be honored in a ceremony at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28 in the Center for Career and Technical Education on CBC’s Pasco campus.

The certificate is an award to recognize students who go above and beyond the average and have attained outstanding achievement in academics, said Energy Northwest’s Stacey Presnell, the Nuclear Technology Program manager.

The industry-recognized NANT certificate goes to students who receive a grade of B or better in all core courses of the Nuclear Technology curriculum. They are given along with degrees from two-year college programs. CBC was the third in the nation approved to offer the certificate.

“This award serves as a bridge between the valuable academic education the students have just received, and a nuclear industry that is in need of a highly skilled new generation of workers,” Presnell said. “The award verifies that the students satisfied the high standards of the Uniform Curriculum Guide for a nuclear power plant technician,” she said.

Energy Northwest’s Chief Nuclear Officer Brad Sawatzke and Stacey Presnell will present certificates to the graduates, including Energy Northwest employee Jose Segura. CBC President Rich Cummins and Larry Willey, Energy Northwest Vice President of Energy/Business Services, will also speak at the event. One student will receive a Student of the Year award at the ceremony.

Nuclear Technology graduate honorees include: Michael Black, Tyler Boice, Marc Dehart, Sarah DeLeon, Kadin Hopko, Joshua Jacoby, Estevan Manzo, Brandon Martens, Nathaniel Potter, Douglas Quay, Jose Segura, Alan Sessana, Ryan Swenson, Thu Thuy Thomas and Alejandro Zolessi.

About Energy Northwest                                                                                                     

Energy Northwest develops, owns and operates a diverse mix of electricity generating resources, including hydro, solar and wind projects – and the Northwest’s only nuclear energy facility. These projects provide enough reliable, affordable and environmentally respon­sible energy to power more than a million homes each year, and that carbon-free electricity is provided at the cost of generation. As a Washington state, not-for-profit joint operating agency, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million ratepayers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs.                                

Energy Northwest – www.energy-northwest.com