TUMWATER - The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) says a recently completed expansion of a Washington wind farm is a good example of how apprenticeship programs can help develop a skilled workforce for green-energy jobs.
Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) expansion project, at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility near Ellensburg, was completed using registered apprentices for at least 15 percent of the work. As such, it met the apprentice utilization requirements of Initiative 937, passed in 2006 to encourage the use and expansion of renewable energy and the training of Washington's workforce in green jobs.
"I'm proud to say Washington is a leader in training the next generation of skilled workers in the growing field of renewable energy," said Melinda Nichols, manager of L&I's apprenticeship program, which oversees training standards of registered apprenticeship. "During these tough economic times when many people are out of work, Washington was able to put 25 registered apprentices to work building skills for their future and the future of our state. "
The use of apprentices on the Wild Horse expansion project qualifies PSE for a 20 percent renewable energy credit multiplier, which helps PSE meet renewable-energy generation requirements.
PSE presented records to L&I proving registered apprentices were employed during the expansion, and the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council certified that the project met the 15 percent apprentice labor standard.
"It was a high priority for us to hire apprentices and ensure the project was eligible for the energy credit multiplier," said Paul Wiegand, senior vice president of Power Generation for PSE. "This is a great example of how one voter initiative helped a business grow, helped the environment, and helped put apprentices to work. "
PSE is the Pacific Northwest's largest utility producer of wind energy. The recent 22-turbine expansion of the Wild Horse wind-power operation boosted the facility's output to 273 megawatts, enough to serve the electricity needs of 70,000 homes. PSE also owns and operates the 157-megawatt Hopkins Ridge Wind Facility in Columbia County.
"It was great for our apprentices because they learned new energy technologies and processes," said Erich Smith, apprenticeship coordinator for Ironworkers Local No. 86. "Erecting 280-foot wind towers was certainly a new experience for these apprentices. They will be well prepared when the next wind turbine project comes along. "
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For media information: Selena Davis, L&I, 360-902-6593.
TUMWATER - The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is presenting a prestigious workplace safety awardto the Hampton Lumber Mill in Darrington, recognizing the achievement with aflag and certificate for the company at a ceremony today.
The mill,which operates on 320 acres and has more than 150 workers, successfully completed L&I's VoluntaryProtection Program (VPP), a challenging audit that recognizes companies demonstrating asignificant commitment to safety. The VPP is a program of the federal Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OHSA), but in Washington state it is administered by L&I's Division ofOccupational Safety and Health (DOSH).
MichaelSilverstein, DOSH assistant director, will present a VPP flag and certificateto the mill at a ceremony to be held at the Darrington Community Center. TheHampton Lumber Mill will be designated as a STAR site, signifying it hasachieved the highest VPP level.
"The wholemill is very excited to be receiving the VPP STAR status," said plant managerDavid Roane. "We entered into this process to find the gaps in our safetyprogram, to get better at protecting our people and to improve our safetyperformance. The recognition that we have accomplished these goals is verysatisfying."
To evenparticipate, companies must have an excellent safety record. The Hamptonmill previously won its company "President's Award for Safety in 2006 and 2007. As part of the VPP certificationprocess, a team of L&I safety consultants visited the mill and interviewedmore than 80 employees, reviewed company safety programs and observed milloperations.
"Lumber millshave many hazards, including heavy equipment and machinery, which makes it allthe more impressive that the Hampton Lumber Mill was able to earn this safetyaward," Silverstein said. "The company has clearly demonstrated that injuriescan be prevented if managers and employees work together and dedicatethemselves to the mission of workplace safety."
The mill waspurchased by Portland-based Hampton Affiliates in 2002 and consists of a logyard, saw mill, kilns, a planer, shipping area and a cogeneration plant, whichprovides steam power for the kilns and powers a generator that feedselectricity to the Snohomish County Public Utility District.
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For media information: Hector Castro, L&I, 360-902-6043.
Broadcast version: TheDepartment of Labor and Industries will present a safety award to a Darringtonlumber mill today. The Hampton Lumber Mill, which employs 150 workers, hasearned STAR status in the Voluntary Protection Program, a federal safetyprogram administered in Washington state by L&I. To earn this honor, themill had to undergo a rigorous safety audit that included extensive site visitsby L&I safety consultants. To learn more about the Voluntary ProtectionProgram, visit www dot Lni dot wa dot gov.