Generation

Tenaska Gateway Generating Station Extends Safety Record to 1 Million Work Hours

By February 13, 2019 December 4th, 2019 No Comments

Employees have had Zero Lost-time Incidents since 2003

MT. ENTERPRISE, Texas – Employees at Tenaska Gateway Generating Facility have achieved the impressive milestone of 1 million work hours with zero lost-time incidents. This safety record for the plant near Mt. Enterprise dates back to 2003 – an achievement 15 years in the making.

“Reaching this impressive safety milestone takes years and years of hard work, diligence and a continuous commitment to safety in the workplace,” said Todd Jonas, senior vice president, operations & asset management. “The employees at Tenaska Gateway have maintained that focus for the past 15 years. That’s an impressive record.”

A lost-time incident is a work-related injury or illness resulting in time away from work, as defined by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

A team of 28 employees operates the Tenaska Gateway facility.

Plant manager Steve Pearson said the long-standing safety record illustrates the pride that employees have in their job.

“Our employees demonstrate teamwork and innovation as they focus on maintaining and enhancing a safe workplace,” said Pearson. “What’s most important about this safety milestone is that it means employees are going home safe and healthy after each work day.”

Employees at Tenaska Gateway participate in annual safety training ranging from basic hazard awareness to rescue exercises with local emergency responders that further bolster the company’s safety culture. They continuously review plant safety procedures and develop new opportunities for safe practices through equip¬ment and behavior modifications. Regular employee meetings heighten safety awareness.

For their efforts, employees were honored with the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star, the nation’s highest safety designation in 2018. This prestigious recognition is conferred by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Tenaska Gateway employees have also received 42 awards from the National Safety Council to date, including four for their 2017 record.

Fueled by clean-burning natural gas, the Tenaska Gateway Generating Station can generate 845 megawatts of electricity, enough to meet the needs of approximately 845,000 households. It produces electricity for sale to Shell Energy, which markets the power in the region.

The plant is a top taxpayer in Rusk County, contributing approximately $39 million in property taxes, of which approximately $32 million supported schools, since it began commercial operation in 2001. In 2017, the plant injected approximately $6 million in salaries and payments to local contractors and vendors into the area economy. Tenaska Gateway employees volunteer hundreds of hours to support local community, charitable and youth projects each year.

Tenaska Gateway Partners is comprised of affiliates of Tenaska, Osaka Gas Energy America Corporation, Diamond Generating Corporation, Tyr Energy, Inc. and JERA Co., Inc.

About Tenaska Gateway Partners, Ltd.
Tenaska, an energy company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, formed Tenaska Gateway Partners, Ltd. to build, own and operate the Tenaska Gateway Generating Station. Today, Tenaska Gateway Partners is comprised of affiliates of Tenaska, Osaka Gas Energy America Corporation, Diamond Generating Corporation, Tyr Energy, Inc. and JERA Co., Inc. Affiliates of Tenaska serve as the managing partner and operator.

About Tenaska
Tenaska, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is one of the leading independent energy companies in the United States. Forbes magazine consistently ranks Tenaska among the 50 largest private U.S. companies. Gross operating revenues were approximately $10.5 billion in 2017.

Tenaska has developed more than 10,000 megawatts (MW) of natural gas-fueled and renewable power projects. Tenaska and its affiliates have managed the acquisition of approximately 10,750 MW of energy assets. The current Tenaska operating fleet includes 11 natural gas-fueled and renewable power plants able to generate approximately 8,000 MW combined.

Tenaska affiliates are industry leaders in natural gas and electric power marketing. Tenaska Marketing Ventures (TMV) is among the top five largest natural gas marketers in North America and is the top-ranked natural gas pipeline capacity trader. During 2018, TMV sold or managed more than 10.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas per day. Tenaska Power Services Co. is the leading provider of energy management services to generation and demand-side customers in the U.S., with more third party-owned generation under management than any other provider.

For more information, visit www.tenaska.com.

Media Contacts
Holly Hochstein
Office: 402-938-1638
Mobile: 402-841-1998
hhochstein@tenaska.com

Timberly Ross
Office: 402-691-9517
Mobile: 402-669-4073
tross@tenaska.com