SHIRO, Texas – Employees at Tenaska Frontier Generating Station near Shiro have been honored with the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star, the nation’s highest safety designation. This prestigious recognition is conferred by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
“We are very proud of the employees at Tenaska Frontier for their continued commitment to safety,” said Todd Jonas, Tenaska senior vice president, operations & asset management. “A safe workplace helps to ensure that employees return home safely at the end of the day and that the community remains protected from potential hazards. It also contributes to the reliable operation of the plant.”
Jonas spoke Thursday at a celebratory luncheon held in recognition of the plant’s 28 employees. More than 50 people were in attendance.
Tenaska Frontier becomes one of 2,300 U.S. worksites and one of 330 Texas worksites to achieve the VPP Star. The VPP process includes a rigorous evaluation of a facility’s safety protocols and often takes years to complete.
“Tenaska Frontier has demonstrated exemplary achievement in the prevention and control of occupational hazards by implementing a comprehensive safety and health management system. Recognition as a VPP Star participant is no easy task, and we are pleased to recognize their outstanding efforts today,” said Joann Figueroa, Area Director, OSHA Houston North Office.
In addition to the VPP Star designation, employees have also been recognized with 47 National Safety Council Awards since 2000, including four for their 2016 safety performance.
Employees at Tenaska Frontier have worked more than 1.14 million hours – since the start of commercial operation in 2000 – with zero occupational injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work.
Plant Manager Ross Billingsley said, “Employees’ commitment to safety is built into the culture here at Tenaska Frontier. Whether on site or in the control room, we remain vigilant for potential hazards and work to implement innovative practices.”
Tenaska Frontier is fueled by clean-burning natural gas. It produces electricity for sale to Exelon Generation Company, LLC, which markets the power. The plant is capable of producing 830 megawatts of electricity, enough to meet the needs of approximately 830,000 households.
Owned by Tenaska Frontier Partners, Ltd., the Tenaska Frontier facility paid more than $45.6 million in property taxes through 2017, making it one of the largest taxpayers in Grimes County. More than $4.4 million is injected into the area economy each year through employee salaries and payments to local contractors and vendors.
In addition, employees volunteered 550 hours to support local community and charitable projects in 2017. The plant has awarded $99,000 in scholarships to 138 college-bound high school seniors to date.
About Tenaska Frontier Partners, Ltd.
Tenaska, an energy company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, formed Tenaska Frontier Partners, Ltd. to build, own and operate the Tenaska Frontier Generating Station. Affiliates of Tenaska serve as the managing partner and operator.
Media Contacts
Timberly Ross
Office: 402-691-9517
Mobile: 402-669-4073
tross@tenaska.com