Issue link: http://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/524202
7 Environmental Affairs employees from the General Test Lab recently achieved one of the highest accomplishments in the group's history by receiving accreditation from the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP). NELAP designation gives the lab at the General Services Complex (GSC) in Calera national credibility and notoriety for meeting the highest standards for testing environmental samples. "This is huge," said Executive Vice President of External Affairs Zeke Smith. "One of the biggest challenges – if not the biggest challenge – Alabama Power faces is on the environmental front. We talk all the time about protecting our brand and reputation, and going from good to great. This is an example of exactly how to do it." The NELAP designation requires meeting rigorous, uniform national standards for collection and evaluation of samples by lab employees to enhance the quality and reliability of data used by environmental federal and state agencies. Vice President of Environmental Affairs Matt Bowden said achieving accreditation is further evidence great things are accomplished through teamwork, leadership and innovation. "Accreditation enhances the defensibility of our data," Bowden said. "A lot of hard work was put into this effort." Bowden said the lab will maintain its ability to do environmental work for third parties at market rates and assist other Southern Company operating companies as needed. He said the accreditation will prepare Alabama Power for more stringent environmental regulations that are ahead. Employees said the two-year-long accreditation process was at times challenging, bringing the General Test Lab staff closer as a team. "Throughout the accreditation process, we celebrated adoptions, births and engagements," said Markell Heilbron, general manager of Environmental Affairs. "What I will remember most is everyone coming together and working as a team. I value the relationships we made through the process." By Gilbert Nicholson General Test Lab at GSC earns national accreditation POWER TO ALABAMA Lab employees gathered outside facility to celebrate their acheivement. Photos by Billy Brown