Since its inception, Platte River Power Authority has demonstrated a
strong commitment to environmental stewardship. This commitment is regularly
demonstrated
via the installation and operation of state-of-the art environmental control
systems at the Rawhide Energy Station and environmental management programs
at Platte River's transmission facilities.
All decisions and operations are guided by a Board of
Directors-approved Environmental Policy and Principles. Additionally,
Platte River
utilizes a formal Environmental Management System (EMS) to continuously
review and improve environmental performance.
An important part of Platte River's mission is to provide
renewable energy (Nature's Energy®) for its communities. Platte River
and Fort Collins Utilities partnered to become the first Colorado utilities
to offer wind energy to customers in 1998. Platte River now offers
renewable
energy from multiple sources to all four of its owner communities.
Platte River's adheres to sustainable
business practices.
Yard waste, scrap metal and mixed office waste (paper, cardboard,
aluminum, glass, printer cartridges) have been recycled for over a decade.
More recently,
an employee-driven Sustainability Team has
been
active
in looking for additional ways to conserve resources, reduce waste
and educate
employees.
The preservation of wildlife has always been a Platte
River priority. The utility owns and manages two herds of American
Bison on the Rawhide site. These impressive animals (our environmental
ambassadors) demonstrate that wildlife can coexist in harmony with
responsibly operated power generation facilities. The use of man-made
Hamilton Reservoir instead of cooling towers makes Rawhide a year-round attraction
for other native wildlife and migratory birds. The reservoir
has been a site for the annual National Audubon Society
Christmas Bird Count since 1986.
