Mike Paoli, Public Affairs, 509-377-4164
Angela Smith, Public Affairs, 509-377-4154
RICHLAND, Wash. – The chair of the Energy Northwest executive board will receive the Northwest Public Power Association’s Paul J. Raver community service award at the association’s 75th annual conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Former Congressman, Washington Secretary of Transportation and soldier Sid Morrison will receive the award in May.
The award is given to an individual or organization that has shown superior leadership in the betterment of cities, locales, states or regions.
“Sid sets the bar quite high with more than 50 years of community service,” said Mark Reddemann, Energy Northwest CEO.
Morrison was appointed to the executive board in 2001 by the agency’s board of directors, and has been the chair since 2006.
During Morrison’s tenure on the executive board, Energy Northwest:
• Completed and expanded the Nine Canyon Wind Project; when originally built it was one of the largest public power wind projects in the nation.
• Completed a solar demonstration project – the White Bluffs Solar Station.
• Achieved a 20-year license renewal from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for Columbia Generating Station, the Northwest’s only commercial nuclear energy facility.
• Achieved agency-wide safety records.
• Developed an Excellence in Governance model which has since been adopted by several state utilities.
• Teamed with other companies to promote a commercial, small modular reactor project in the western United States.
Most recently, the agency achieved record generation or availability at all projects, including three consecutive generation records at Columbia Generating Station.
Morrison’s service record extends well beyond Energy Northwest. He has participated on or served as:
• Gubernatorial appointee to the Central Washington University Board of Trustees (2003 – current)
• The Central Washington State Fair Board (2002 – current)
• Washington State Secretary of Transportation (1993-2001)
• Washington State House of Representatives (1967-1974)
• U.S. House of Representatives (1981-1992)
• Washington State Senate (1975-1980)
Morrison also served in the Army’s medical service corps from 1954 to 1956.
About NWPPA
NWPPA is an international not-for-profit trade association representing and serving nearly 150 customer-owned, locally controlled utilities in the Western U.S. and Canada. The Association also serves approximately 300 associate members across the U.S. and Canada who are allied with the electric utility industry.
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 power plant. 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 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.