PGE’s Selective Water Withdrawal project wins prestigious 2010 Edison Award

PGE’s Selective Water Withdrawal, the only known floating surface fish collection facility coupled with power generation in the world, has been selected as the winner of the 2010 Edison Award, the electric industry’s highest honor. The award is presented annually by Edison Electric Institute and recognizes U.S. and international electric utilities for their innovation and role in advancing the industry.

President and CEO Jim Piro accepted the award today at EEI’s Annual Convention and Expo in Hollywood, Fla.

“Congratulations to everyone who worked on the SWW,” said Piro. “We couldn’t have accomplished the project without the collaboration and commitment from the Warm Springs Tribes, our employees, federal and state resources agencies, and our contractors.”

In agreement with Confederated Trives of he Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, PGE in 2009 completed a fish intake and bypass project at our 465-MW Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project dam. For the first time in 40years, Chinook, sockeye, and steelhead salmon will be able to complete their life cycles as the juvenile fish are passed downstream to the Deschutes River Basin.

In a news release announcing the award, EEI President Tom Kuhn said, “The company’s outstanding commitment to improving the salmon’s habitat resonates not only with local communities, but with the power industry, which is paying close attention to this great sustainability achievement via PGE’s top-notch engineering.”

On Dec. 2, 2009, within the first two hours of operation, two spring Chinook smolt were captured. Since then, more than 107,000 fish—including spring Chinook smolt, summer steelhead smolt, sockeye smolt and kokanee adults—have been processed through the SWW and associated fish passage facilities.

This project was featured in Water Power & Dam Construction Magazine, December 2008.

AGC 2009 Build Northwest Awards

Max J. Kuney Co. submitted their Multnomah Channel Sauvie Island Bridge project for the 2009 Build Northwest Awards and also named Dix Corporation as a prime subcontractor for the Out of Area category. Kuney was chosen as the winner for their division and received the winning plaque. As Dix was also named, they also received a plaque. Kuney’s project also recieved a National AGC Award.

AGC 2009 Build Northwest Awards

Dix Corporation submitted its Round Butte Selective Withdrawal System project for the Associated General Contractors 2009 Build Northwest Awards under the heading Sub-contractor. This is a yearly event with numerous contractors submitting entries in all categories. Dix Corporation was chosen the winner for their division and received a plaque at the Annual AGC Convention in January, 2010.

Associated General Contractors

1st Place AGC

Safety Excellence

Heavy Division

Under 100,000 Hours

Inland Northwest AGC

2005 Build Northwest Awards

Dix Corporation

For Excellence in Construction on Ice Harbor Removable Spillway Weir

Special Projects Division

Associated General Contractors

AGC Safety Team

Safety and Claims Management Excellence

Top Performer—Retro Refunds

2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

Daily Journal of Commerce

Top Projects DJC/2009

Dix Corporation

Third Place—Most Valuable Subcontractor

Sponsored by: Finishing Trades Energy Trust of Oregon