Energy Northwest received Utilities Service Alliance’s Optimizer Award at the 2017 USA Executive Summit last month. During calendar year 2016, Columbia Generating Station saved nearly $10 million through use of USA’s programs and contracts.

“Supply Chain Services takes advantage of USA’s cost-competitive contracts to support multiple commitments for Columbia and not just one opportunity,” said Brent Ridge, vice president of Corporate Services and chief financial officer. “This is precisely what the industry’s Delivering the Nuclear Promise initiative and the agency’s Cost-effective Operation plan is all about.”

This is the second time in three years Energy Northwest received the Optimizer Award. During 2016, the agency achieved $4.7 million in savings through use of USA programs and projects including Fukushima response, Cyber Security, employee sharing program, Security support and Nuclear Safety Culture Assessments. Columbia saved another $5.3 million through active engagement and participation in USA Supply Chain contracts and activities.

“We can always count on Columbia for steady participation and support of USA initiatives and activities,” said Jim Kitchens, USA Director, Economic Strategies. “The benefits they enjoy from that collaboration go well beyond even the things we are able to quantify in determining the Optimizer Award winner.”

While USA’s 2016 fleet-wide savings averaged $8.3 million per member, Columbia achieved total net savings and avoided costs of just under $10 million.

“That represents an amazing return on investment of $44 for every dollar invested in support of USA activities,” Kitchens added.

“This award represents Energy Northwest’s commitment to utilizing the USA fleet to ensure we are getting the best savings possible when we combine the fleet’s efforts to reduce costs and leverage negotiated contracts,” said Greg Sponholtz, Supply Chain Services manager.

Award information
USA created the Optimizer Award to recognize the member utility that best leveraged its alliance membership: achieving the greatest net savings and avoided costs through proactive engagement in the various alliance opportunities.