RICHLAND, Wash. – Energy Northwest reached an agency and industry milestone in occupational safety today – 10 million hours worked without a lost-time injury. The achievement comes just over a month after the agency’s Columbia Generating Station, in September, surpassed its highest measurable performance levels in the 28-year history of the facility.

“My sincerest thanks to all of you for your hard work, and for working safely,” CEO Mark Reddemann told more than 1,100 agency employees Monday. “We’re all about achieving and sustaining excellence, and I’m very impressed and very proud of what you have accomplished.”

“This is just a foundation,” said Reddemann. “We’ll continue to set the bar higher.”

Earlier this fall, Energy Northwest reported employees had set a record for successfully working for three years without a lost-time injury. The 10 million-hour mark, however, is another agency best.

The American Public Power Association occasionally reports on agencies achieving one million hours without a lost time injury milestone. In fact, the APPA’s website reported “it is nearly impossible for a large public power utility to achieve a zero in the number of lost-time accidents they experience each year.”

 “A record such as this is indicative of the high standards of excellence at Energy Northwest that are vital to safe and reliable operations,” said Charles England, Organizational Effectiveness manager at Energy Northwest. “We are proud of our safety record and have a strong workforce that strives to ensure safe operations in every facet of their work every day.”

Energy Northwest has focused on an Excellence in Performance initiative since 2011 that is validated through the continuing safe, reliable and predictable operation of Energy Northwest generation projects such as Columbia Generating Station. “I’m impressed with our employees’ commitment to Excellence in Performance and am confident in our team’s desire to be the standard by which others measure excellence,” Reddemann said.

“Let’s remain focused on our first core value – Safety First – and continue to demonstrate our commitment to nuclear, industrial, radiological and environmental safety,” Reddemann told employees.

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 respon¬sible 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

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