Calpine's Hidalgo Energy Center Awarded Highest OSHA Recognition For Worksite Safety
San Jose, CA. and Houston, TX - Calpine Corporation recently celebrated the Hidalgo Energy Center in Edinburg, Texas, being named a Star Worksite under the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The VPP Star certification is OSHA's highest level of recognition for outstanding efforts by an employer and its employees to achieve a level of excellence in occupational safety and health at their worksites.
The Hidalgo Energy Center (HEC) – a state-of-the-art, 479-megawatt electric power generation facility that has been in operation since June 2000 – is the first Calpine facility in Texas to obtain VPP Star Status and the second Calpine facility nationwide to be awarded the designation. Electricity generated from HEC is sold into the Texas power market and produces enough electricity to power more than 450,000 area homes. The plant consists of two combustion turbines, two heat recovery steam generators and a steam turbine generator.
The plant's 26 employees were joined by Calpine officials, OSHA representatives and local dignitaries for the award presentation. The "Star" certification came after an extensive review by an OSHA team of the plant's safety and health programs, interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite.
"Calpine Corporation is honored to have OSHA recognize the exemplary safety and health programs implemented by the Hidalgo Energy Center team. It is an example of our commitment as a company to operate safely and in highest regard for both people and the environment," said Calpine Chief Executive Officer Robert P. May.
"Employees should be proud of this milestone because it represents a commitment to the highest standards of safety and health management," noted John Giefer, OSHA area director, Corpus Christi. "Our review showed sustained excellence in all areas of their safety and health management system."
The Hidalgo plant joins a prestigious group of about 1,600 workplaces nationwide and 253 in Texas – out of 7 million sites overseen by OHSA – that have earned VPP recognition. Statistics show that worksites receiving VPP status have injury rates that are 50 percent below industry average.
In addition to OSHA's presentation of the VPP Star certification, Calpine officials also announced the creation of the Ron Appleton Memorial Safety Award, named in honor of a Calpine Safety and Health manager for his dedication and leadership in safety. Ron recently passed away.
Appleton worked with employees at the Hidalgo plant during the rigorous two-year VPP application process, and under his leadership Calpine's Texas operations achieved five years without a lost-time accident, representing more than three million work hours.
"For more than 20 years, Calpine has been providing clean, reliable power in a safe and environmentally responsible way. We're establishing this award in Ron's memory to reaffirm our dedication, and honor his commitment, to operational practices that safeguard our people, our communities and the environment," said Don Neal, vice president, environmental, health & safety.
SOURCE: Calpine Corporation