Limestone plant cited

HOT WORKFORCE Development board director Anthony Billings, left, presents an award to NRG Texas Limestone Generation plant representative John Fry honoring the company’s Area Technical Center. NRG Texas, Limestone Generation Plant received the Outstanding Community Initiative Award from the Heart of Texas Workforce Development Board at the annual banquet held Jan. 22.

The award was presented at the annual Award of Excellence Banquet by HOT Workforce Development Board executive director Anthony Billings.

“The Outstanding Community Initiative Award salutes an individual or organization that has taken exceptional steps to better the community and the region as a whole,” Billings said.

“Today, we will be honoring NRG Texas for their exceptional work within the Heart of Texas.”

NRG Texas’ Limestone Electric Generating Station and Navarro College partnered to establish an Area Technical Center, that provides high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to gain invaluable employment skills and knowledge through a Power Plant Operations and Maintenance Certificate program.

The ATC was conceived by NRG Texas in 2006, and in January, 2009 the first class of 20 students began their training that led to the Power Plant Operations and Maintenance certification. The second class began this summer, and a third class to begin in the fall semester has a waiting list for participation.

It is of particular note that this is the first record of an industry making its plant site and facilities available to students as young as 16, Billings pointed out.