July 19, 2007

Portland General Electric dedicates first generating plant in 10 years
Port Westward a model for efficiency, low emissions, safe construction

Clatskanie, Ore. – Portland General Electric Company, its partners and local community members today celebrated completion of the gas-fired Port Westward Generating Plant, which came on line just in time to meet peak summer demand.

Port Westward is the newest member of PGE’s diverse family of power generation resources and the company’s first plant to be brought online in more than 10 years. With a generating capacity of 400 megawatts, Port Westward produces enough electricity to power the homes of more than 300,000 PGE customers.

“With the growing demand for electricity, Port Westward is playing a vital role in Oregon’s energy future,” said Peggy Fowler, PGE’s CEO and president. “By reducing our dependence on wholesale market purchases, Port Westward is helping PGE meet its commitment to provide reliable power at stable prices.”    

Powered by a new breed of Mitsubishi G1-class combustion turbine, the combined-cycle, natural gas-fired plant is one of the most efficient generators of its type in the United States today.

Port Westward also has low levels of emissions for nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and volatile oxides of carbon. Levels measured at the plant since it began operation are below the strict levels permitted by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. PGE contributed about $5.4 million to the Oregon Climate Trust to fund projects that offset the plant’s carbon dioxide emissions.

At the dedication, PGE thanked its partners who contributed to the successful construction of the plant, including Black & Veatch, engineering, procurement and construction provider; Mitsubishi Power Systems America, gas and steam turbine manufacturer; the Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council; and local officials from Columbia County.

“This project plays a significant role in meeting the growing energy needs of the region,” said Richard King, vice president, construction and procurement – labor relations for Black & Veatch. “We’re proud to have worked with PGE and with several key partners on this very important project and to have delivered it with industry-best safety practices.”

King noted that the project was completed with an overall recordable injury rate of 0.68 and a days-away-from-work rate of 0.00. This compares with the industry average recordable injury rate of 6.3 and a days-away-from-work rate of 2.4.   

John Adams, senior vice president from Mitsubishi said, “We believe Port Westward is the most efficient combined-cycle power plant in the western United States. This minimizes the production of green house gases. We applaud PGE on their efforts and foresight to provide their customers reliable energy while minimizing impacts to the environment.”

John Mohlis, executive secretary-treasurer of the Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council, pointed to the high levels of cooperation and camaraderie among the trade workers, contractors and PGE. “From a union perspective, this was one of the most successful projects we’ve been a part of,” Mohlis said.

“Our members appreciate the opportunity to play an important role in development of a project that has such a positive, lasting impact on our region,” Mohlis said.

The Port Westward project has been a shot in the arm to economic development in Columbia County, said Rita Bernhard, chair of the Columbia County Commission. At the height of construction last summer, more than 400 workers were on site, many from surrounding communities.

“PGE’s operations at Port Westward, including its Beaver Plant, have been a catalyst in attracting more economic development to our region,” Bernhard said.

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