The National Hydropower Association has presented PPL Montana with its "Outstanding Stewardship of America's Rivers Award" for the fourth time in five years.
And while PPL Montana is one of only seven companies in the country to receive this recognition in 2006, there are numerous beneficiaries, including Montana's ecosystem, the conservation community and outdoor enthusiasts.
"In collaboration with governmental agencies and private partners, our ongoing stewardship initiatives to improve river operations along the Missouri and Madison rivers are making a difference," said Brad Spencer, vice president and chief operating officer for PPL Montana.
"As a result, Montanans will reap the benefits of the nearly 140 projects — one for every four miles of river — that these partnerships completed last year to enhance fisheries, wildlife, recreation and cultural resources along these waterways. These efforts included the restoration of 3,000 acres of river habitat," he said.
Only three hydroelectric generators in the United States have received this award four or more times, according to George Martin, NHA president.
"This award recognizes companies for their accomplishments and creativity in balancing the importance of environmental stewardship and the production of clean energy on our nation's rivers," Martin said. "PPL Montana and its employees have again demonstrated their success and dedication to protecting these rivers, which are forever linked to the history of our country and are an important recreational resource for Montanans and people from across America."
Spencer agreed: "This award is a tribute to all PPL Montana employees, who have shown creativity and resourcefulness when it comes to building partnerships and reaching out to others to find innovative ways to enhance our commitment to the environment."
PPL Montana has committed $23 million from 2000 through 2009 to improve recreation and water quality, enhance wildlife habitats, restore fisheries and protect endangered species along the Missouri-Madison river corridor. Using these funds, the company has worked with its partners to obtain an additional $50 million in state, federal and private conservation funds, which otherwise would not have been available, for the Madison and Missouri rivers.
"We've been involved in a variety of resource restoration projects over the years," Spencer said. "They've ranged from monitoring and restoring rare fish species in the Madison and Missouri river watersheds to protecting wildlife habitats along the river banks."
The company also has designed and implemented a floating bulkhead system at several of its hydro facilities that allow dam repairs without reservoir drawdowns affecting power generation, reservoir recreation, fisheries or water quality, he said.
"PPL Montana has always believed that business interests and outdoor interests not only can co-exist, but also can thrive. This award shows that we are doing the right things to help make that happen," Spencer said.
Founded in 1983, the NHA represents approximately 61 percent of the nation's hydropower facilities licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. NHA-member facilities represent about 80,000 megawatts of generating capacity.
The association established its national award program in 1999 to recognize members of the hydroelectric industry that protect the nation's rivers and champion hydropower as a key part of the nation's energy future. More information about the awards is available at www.outstandingrivers.org.
PPL Montana, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), has electric generating facilities throughout the state with a combined generating capacity of about 1,200 megawatts. PPL Montana has offices in Billings, Butte and Helena and employs 500 people. The company operates coal-fired power plants at Colstrip and Billings, as well as 11 hydroelectric power plants along Rosebud Creek and the Missouri, Madison, Clark Fork and Flathead rivers. PPL EnergyPlus, another PPL subsidiary, operates a trading floor in Butte that markets and sells power in the wholesale energy market.
For more information about PPL Montana and its statewide Quality-of-Life study of Montana residents, visit www.pplmontana.com.