CIBOLA COUNTY - Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, owner and operator of the Escalante Generating Station in Prewitt, was awarded the special Zia Star Voluntary Protection Program status on Sept. 22 from the New Mexico Environment Department Occupational Health and Safety Bureau, in conjunction with the federal Occupational Safety and health Administration.

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    Tri-State is only the eighth in the state to earn the award and is now in an elite group with ConocoPhillips, Georgia-Pacific, Intel, Roco Corp., Honeywell Aerospace, OMI and Nextra Energy Resources.

    At Tuesday's ceremony at the facility, Don Russell, Escalante plant manager said, “Teamwork, working together to come to a common goal is why we've received this status.

    “Most important, each one of you,” Russell said to employees of the station attending the ceremony, “have taken responsibility for your own actions.”

    At the end of Russell's speech he jokingly suggested OSHA and NMED “take a look at Wall Street,” that there might some danger there.

    Also in attendance was Tri-State's Executive Vice President Ken Anderson. He said, “One of Tri-State's most important values as an organization is to exceed established safety requirements at all of our facilities. Earning VPP status here at Escalante Station illustrates how we put these values into practice every day.”

    Anderson also noted how much the company values Russell. “The first plane ride with Russell I asked the common plane question, how are things going? Russell replied, the employees are well… we are in good shape. It was than I knew we were going to get along.”

    The VPP recognizes companies with exemplary health and safety management systems that maintain injury and illness rate below the national average for their industry.

    “Escalante Station has demonstrated its commitment to the safety and health of its workers by applying for and attaining VPP recognition,” NMED Secretary Ron Curry said in a press release. “We are pleased to have them as a partner in our efforts to make New Mexico the safety state in the country in which to work.”

    Escalante Station has 117 employees, most residing in Cibola County.

Russel started at Escalante in 1982 as a control room operator. “Being safe is the right thing to do for all - friend, coworkers and most importantly family,” he said.

    “It's nice when mom or dad could come home from the workplace safe.”

    The plant manager noted how long and enduring the process has been, “but,” he said, “it's been a fun and exciting challenge for me and all of our employees whose suggestions, ideas, commitment and dedication have made our plant a safer and more productive place to work.

Based in the Denver suburb of Westminster, Tri-State is the wholesaler power supplier to 44 electric cooperatives and public power districts in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. The member distributions systems serve nearly 593,000 consumer-meters, which translates to a population of approximately 1.4 million end-use consumers.

    Also in attendance at the ceremony were Senator David Ulibarri, County Commissioner Tommy Simpson along with several Continental Divide Electric Co-Op board members and Manager Richard Shirley.

    Following the ceremony a lunch was given for employees and those in attendance. Approximately 200 people attended the ceremony.