By MICAH MERTES

Hays Daily News

RUSSELL -- An ethanol plant in Russell became the first and only plant in the country to earn a prestigious award from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The White Energy ethanol plant was presented the SHARP award for "upholding high standards for workplace safety and health."

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Department of Labor officials presented the award to the Dallas-based company Thursday outside the Russell facility.

"I'm proud that the first ethanol plant in the nation to receive the SHARP award is a Kansas business," Sebelius said. "Congratulations to White Energy and its employees on creating a safe work environment for this outstanding recognition. The award reinforces our state's dedication to workplace safety and the future of ethanol and other renewable fuels production."

White Energy's Russell facility employs more than 70 people and produces 50 million gallons of ethanol and 40 million pounds of wheat gluten annually.

"Our staff in Russell deserves credit for not only earning this award," said Kevin D. Kuykendall, White Energy's chief executive officer, "but also for their strong sense of pride and commitment to maintaining our company's high standard by which all of our new and future plants will be emulated and measured."

The facility has been designated a "merit" site in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program. Merit sites meet all safety and health elements for the program, which far exceed OSHA standards.

More than 1,700 sites representing more than 270 industries nationwide participate in the program. In Kansas, White Energy is the first ethanol facility, the 30th company and the 66th industrial facility to receive the award.

"You are in a very elite group of companies," said Judy Freeman, OSHA's area director for Kansas City, during the presentation. "And OSHA considers White Energy one of the very best."

Micah Mertes is director of The Stir and a reporter for The Hays Daily News. He can be reached at micah@thestironline.com or (785) 621-4515.