LAS VEGAS (Jan. 9, 2024) – The Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) of the State of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations recognizes RWE, a top tier renewable energy company in the United States, for the successful renewal of its Copper Mountain Solar Complex near Boulder City, Nevada as a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) participant. The program recognizes employers and workers who have implemented effective safety and health management systems and maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their industry.
The Copper Mountain Solar Complex is among the largest solar installations in Nevada with a capacity to produce 812 megawatts, which is enough to power 600,000 homes. The complex has maintained its VPP status since 2015 and continues to partner with SCATS consultants to strengthen its commitment to employee safety and well-being.
“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our workers at Copper Mountain Solar Complex. By having an outside entity audit our processes ensures accountability of our responsibilities and supports our goal of being an employer of choice prioritizing safety over all else,” said Michael Gibson, vice president of operations, west region, RWE Clean Energy. “This recertification is a testament to our robust safety program and strong safety culture in ensuring that workers are just as healthy when they go home as when they arrived.”
“I am very proud of our team and the hard work they put into this achievement. The process encourages all employees onsite to be active participants which is crucial for our safety culture as a company,” said Mike Mendez, Operations Manager of Copper Mountain Solar. “Having safety first is important to not only the employees but also their families knowing that we are in a continuous state of improvement. The initial certification in 2015 and recertifications in 2018 and 2023 demonstrate our unrelenting commitment to safety and this program.”
RWE Clean Energy is part of an elite group of businesses that have achieved VPP status by maintaining exemplary health and safety protocols to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses. Participation in the program provides incentives and support to employers to develop, implement and continuously improve programs at their worksite(s). By taking these proactive measures, businesses can reduce accident costs and ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) health and safety standards.
“RWE puts employees first in continuing their participation in VPP, which bolsters their commitment to health and safety,” said Todd Schultz, chief administrative officer for SCATS. “The Copper Mountain Solar team is a leader for workplace health and safety in the renewable energy industry.”
SCATS consultants provide employers with confidential hazard identification, program development, implementation assistance and training.
Businesses interested in VPP or other safety recognition initiatives can contact SCATS at 702-486-9140 (Las Vegas) or 775-688-3730 (Reno). For more information or to schedule free training courses, call 1-877-4SAFENV or visit 4safenv.state.nv.us.
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Photo caption: The State of Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) recognizes RWE, a top tier renewable energy company in the United States, for the successful renewal of its Copper Mountain Solar site near Boulder City, Nevada as a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) participant.
Media note: A photo of the Copper Mountain Solar team is available for download here.
About Nevada SCATS
The Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS), part of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations, provides free and confidential consultation and safety services to assist businesses in Nevada to comply with OSHA standards. SCATS helps Nevada businesses keep their employees safe and offers on-site consultation services designed to help employers recognize and control potential safety and health hazards at their workplaces, improve their safety and health programs, and assist in training employees. SCATS also offers Workplace Safety and Health Training classes in Northern and Southern Nevada. Bilingual services are also available. Visit 4safenv.state.nv.us.
Funding Statement:
The Nevada On-Site Consultation program (SCATS), at the time of initial publication of this document (5/2023), is funded by a cooperative agreement for $1,011,673 federal funds, which constitutes 27.1% percent of the program budget. 0% percent, or $ 0.00 of the program budget, is financed through non-governmental sources.
About RWE
RWE is a top tier renewable energy company in the United States. With more than 15 years in the U.S. renewables business, the company has an outstanding track record in developing, constructing, and operating renewable energy facilities. The 1,500-person RWE team in the U.S. is fully committed to forging ahead with the clean energy transition in North America. Together with our partners, we develop innovative solutions and drive technological progress for our customers to help re-shape the energy supply for future generations. RWE Clean Energy, a subsidiary of RWE AG, operates a renewable energy portfolio of about 9 gigawatts (GW) installed capacity of onshore wind, solar, and battery storage, making it the number four renewable energy company in the U.S. and the country’s second largest solar owner and operator, present in most U.S. states. RWE Offshore Wind Holdings, a subsidiary of RWE Offshore Wind, is also developing offshore wind on both the east and west coasts of the U.S., including the company’s first commercial scale floating wind project. As part of the RWE Group’s Growing Green strategy to expand globally its green portfolio to more than 50 GW of installed capacity and to invest globally more than EUR 55 billion gross by 2030, the company has earmarked up to EUR 20 billion to significantly increase its operating asset base in the U.S. This is backed by a project pipeline of more than 24 GW in onshore wind, solar and battery storage and more than 6 GW of offshore wind, which provides for one of the largest development platforms in the U.S.
SCATS media contact: Jena Esposito, APR, KPS3, jena.esposito@kps3.com, 702-513-0606
RWE Clean Energy media contact: Kellie Woods, Kellie.Woods@rwe.com, 680-599-0169