Media Contact:  Karl Walquist  (775) 834-3891

Sierra Pacific Power Company's Natural Gas Division has been recognized for significant achievement in the area of accident prevention and workplace safety for 2006 by the American Gas Association (AGA). 

The company's gas division earned an Accident Prevention Certificate by achieving a total Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rate of injuries and illnesses below the industry average for company size.  Sierra Pacific was one of 55 companies, out of 200 AGA member companies, to be recognized as an industry leader in reaching accident prevention goals in 2006.

"We're extremely proud of our gas employees for doing an exemplary job every day and doing it safely without accidents,"said Mike Smart, executive, Regional Operations. "We take the safety of our employees and our customers very seriously and promote safe work practices on every job, every day." 

Added Kerry Bruce, manager, Safety and Health for the company,"Safety is a value that our gas department lives daily.  They keep safety in the forefront and work hard to ensure that each employee goes home injury free. I am delighted that they are being recognized for their efforts."

The safety awards were presented at AGA's 2007 Operations Conference held this week in Grapevine, Texas.

"We commend all of the winners for these remarkable accomplishments,"said David N. Parker, AGA's president and CEO. "Safety is the natural gas industry's top priority, so AGA is proud to honor these member companies for setting the pace in the crucial area of accident prevention and workplace safety."

Sierra Pacific Power Company serves approximately 146,000 natural gas customers in the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area.  Sierra Pacific Power Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources (NYSE:SRP).

The American Gas Association, founded in 1918, represents 200 local energy utility companies that deliver natural gas to more than 64 million homes, businesses and industries throughout the United States. A total of 69 million residential, commercial and industrial customers receive natural gas in the US, and AGA's members' deliver 92 percent of all natural gas provided by the nation's natural gas utilities. Natural gas meets almost one-fourth of the United States'energy needs. For more information, please visitwww.AGA.org.