March 31, 2014
Employees at the 226-megawatt Fort Churchill Generating Station achieved a significant milestone by marking 27 years of safe plant operation without a lost time accident.
Remarkably, the last time a lost-time accident was recorded at the power plant, Ronald Reagan was president, a gallon of gasoline sold for about 89 cents, and digital cellular phones were not yet invented. The last lost time accident was experienced March 30, 1987. The first generating unit at the power plant went into service in 1968, followed by a second unit in 1971.
According to the national Edison Electric Institute, the Fort Churchill natural gas-fueled plant has the longest safety record for any fossil-fueled generating station in the nation. The plant, which is located in northwestern Nevada, employs 27 people and can produce enough electricity to serve approximately 135,000 Nevada households.
Paul Caudill, President of NV Energy said, "This 27-year safety record is remarkable, especially considering that our teams work around the clock to provide reliable power to our customers. The plant team has obviously taken safety to heart, demonstrating attention to detail and helping each other avoid unsafe conditions or acts. Our top operational priority is safety, and we have established that our first priority is for our employees to return home to their families safely. We can all learn from the Fort Churchill team. I could not be prouder to work with them for NV Energy."
During the past quarter century, the plant has embraced more than 1,600 safety suggestions, which surfaced through safety audits, safety committee recommendations, and individual contributions. Considering the fact that many employees have retired, moved on to new jobs and NV Energy routinely rotates workers, it is also notable that six employees have worked safely at the plant for the full 27-year period.
"Our safety culture has been contagious at Fort Churchill," said Regional Plant Director Wade Barcellos, who was a control room operator at the Fort Churchill Station 27 years ago when the current lost-time record started. "Our safety success can be traced to the individual commitment of our employees and company leaders who legitimately make safety such a priority," he added.
About NV Energy, Inc.
NV Energy, Inc. provides a wide range of energy services to 1.3 million customers throughout Nevada and nearly 40 million tourists annually. NV Energy is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are doing business as NV Energy. The company is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Information about NV Energy is available on the company's website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via nvenergy.com.
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