September 26, 1997

Renewable Energy Advocates Praise Wyoming Wind Project

Renewable energy advocates today enthusiastically praised the first commercial-scale wind project to serve the Northwest at a ground breaking ceremony in Arlington, Wyoming. The Renewable Northwest Project, the region’s leading renewable energy advocacy organization, underscored the leadership provided by PacifiCorp, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) in putting together the 41.4 megawatt wind facility being developed by Sea West and Tomen Power Corp.

“To quote a great American philosopher, ‘How sweet it is,' " said Rachel Shimshak, director of the Renewable Northwest Project.

“The perseverance and dedication of these three utilities made this project a reality. PacifiCorp demonstrated great leadership over the past several years, pioneering new ways to solve problems and continuing to move the process forward. BPA followed through with their commitment to renewable energy development despite a difficult time for the agency. And EWEB steadily maintained their environmental ethic and delivered a solid project for their customers,” continued Shimshak.

Putting her shovel into the ground, Shimshak concluded, “This shovel full of soil marks the dawn of a new industry for the Northwest, and the first new renewable energy contribution to a sustainable future for us and our children.”

The project is scheduled to begin operation in 1999. The developer will install 69 Mitsubishi 600-kilowatt turbines at Foote Creek Rim.

The Renewable Northwest Project was initiated in 1993 by a unique combination of energy companies, environmental and consumer groups to promote the implementation of environmentally responsible renewable energy in the Northwest.

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February 11, 1997

Renewable Northwest Project Listed in Renew America Environmental Success Index

Portland, OR--Renew America announced today that the Renewable Northwest Project (RNP) will be included in its Environmental Success Index, an annual publication identifying programs throughout the nation that provide innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

Debbie Sliter, Renew America’s Executive Director notes, “The Environmental Success Index provides the environmental movement with what it most desperately needs: a forum for sharing information. By recognizing these innovative programs, we motivate the individuals involved to continue their efforts and provide others with successful models and the information necessary to initiate similar programs in their own communities.”

“The Renewable Northwest Project has been actively working to put energy generation on a sustainable path. We are honored that our efforts to get geothermal, solar and wind energy in the region’s energy mix are being recognized,” said Rachel Shimshak, RNP’s Director.

To qualify for inclusion in the Index, programs are evaluated on the basis of four criteria: program effectiveness, natural resource conservation, economic progress and human development. Each qualifying program has passed through three stages of review: reference checks and evaluations from independent local organizations, verification of program results by participating nonprofit organizations at the state level and review by the National Awards Council for Environmental Sustainability.

Coordinated by Renew America, the National Awards Council for Environmental Sustainability identifies and recognizes these award winners and their achievements annually. The coalition of sixty national environmental, nonprofit, government and business organizations includes National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Environmental Law Institute, EarthKind, AT&T, National Geographic Society and Smithsonian Institution.

Renew America is coordinating a live national teleconference on February 19. Environmentally Sustainable Energy Choices: A National Town Meeting, will link audiences in cities across the country with a panel of experts in Washington, DC. The evening will continue with the National Awards for Environmental Sustainability, honoring twenty-four of the 1,600 programs at a gala dinner hosted by AT&T.

For more information about Renew America, call (202) 232-2552 or to see the Environmental Success Index online, visit the World Wide Web page via the Internet: http://www.crest.org/renew_america.

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January 8, 1997

Conservation, renewable energy, consumer protection form basis of agreement between advocates and PGE on Enron merger

Many of the region’s leading environmental and consumer groups today announced a formal agreement with Portland General Electric (PGE) and ENRON Corp. that details a host of conservation, renewable energy, low-income and consumer protection commitments to be implemented upon the completion of the PGE/ENRON merger. With these commitments from the companies came support from the public interest parties for the PGE/ENRON merger.

The groups noted that, while the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) still needs to address some important rate issues related to the proposed merger, the signed agreement substantially boosts its public benefits.

The agreement outlines programs, projects and advocacy efforts on environmental and consumer issues that PGE/ENRON will support and implement over the next few years.

“The consumer and environmental elements described in the agreement provide a model for the industry as it evolves to greater competition,” said Ralph Cavanagh, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“We are delighted that this agreement secures PGE’s commitment to invest in wind and geothermal renewable energy projects. Those projects will provide valuable experience to the company and benefit both the environment and the economy in our state,” said Rachel Shimshak, director of the Renewable Northwest Project.

One aspect of the agreement is that PGE will file and support a system benefit charge reserving 3% of its retail electric revenues for public purposes such as conservation, renewables, and low-income weatherization.

“PGE’s commitment to adopt a system benefits charge clearly indicates that the company wants to be a leader in securing funds for conservation and low-income weatherization during the transition to a competitive electric industry,” said Nancy Hirsh, policy director of the Northwest Conservation Act Coalition.

“This agreement represents a significant commitment by PGE and ENRON to protect Oregon’s environment,” said Bob Jenks, Executive Director of the Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB). “In addition, CUB and PGE have committed to working out the remaining issues which relate to the benefits and rate impacts of the merger,” he added.

The provisions in the agreement include that:

• PGE will invest in about 30 average megawatts of wind and geothermal renewable energy projects.

• PGE will file with the OPUC and support a non-bypassable charge of 3% of its electric service revenues to fund conservation, renewable energy, and low-income weatherization. This benefits charge will ensure that quality programs and services will be offered to customers for a ten year period.

• PGE and the parties will work to establish a new statewide all fuels fund for low-income energy bill assistance, and PGE will continue their corporate contributions to low-income assistance agencies.

• PGE will support a proceeding at the OPUC to investigate how utility costs are being divided by customer classes, and will provide a grant to the public interest parties to secure experts for that proceeding.

• The OPUC will determine other financial benefits associated with the merger.

• PGE will support a proceeding at the OPUC that considers the legal and regulatory separation of the regulated local distribution company from the competitive electric power generation company. Separation prevents the competitive side of the business from gaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace by virtue of its corporate relationship with the regulated distribution side of the business.

• PGE will implement environmental projects to improve habitat or native plant and animal populations around their hydro electric plants and create a fund for those efforts.

The public interest parties are the Northwest Conservation Act Coalition, the Renewable Northwest Project, Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, Northwest Environmental Advocates, Oregon Energy Coordinator’s Association, Community Action Directors of Oregon, Natural Resources Defense Council, Oregon Heat, the Nature Conservancy of Oregon, Oregon Trout, Trout Unlimited, Native Fish Society, and American Rivers.

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