January 13, 2004 (Portland, Ore.) — The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) announced today that Thomas J. Starrs is joining BEF as Vice President of Marketing and Sales.

“BEF’s renewable energy programs have been extremely successful, and we were looking for the right person to help us shape and sustain our growth in this area,” said Angus Duncan, President of BEF. “Tom’s extensive experience and national stature in the renewable energy policy arena made him an ideal candidate.”

“BEF’s innovation and creativity has enabled much of the solar and wind energy development in the Pacific Northwest,” said Starrs. “Its approach is unique in the green power market because as a non-profit, it reinvests its net revenues in the development of new renewable projects. I look forward to helping the organization build on its tremendous record of success and to raising the visibility of its renewable energy and watershed restoration programs.”

Rob Harmon, BEF’s Vice President of Renewable Energy Programs, noted that, “Tom helped BEF to pioneer the development of green power markets based on the Green Tags concept several years ago, as an independent consultant working on our behalf. We are delighted to welcome him back to the BEF family.”

Starrs comes to BEF from RWE SCHOTT Solar Inc., where he was Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and a member of the Board of Directors. RWE SCHOTT Solar is the sixth largest producer of solar power cells and modules worldwide.

Starrs has a long history of commitment to the public interest in promoting a sustainable energy future, and will continue to fulfill his duties as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), and a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology (CEERT).

About Green Tags
Green Tags are certificates that represent the environmental benefits from a specific amount of electricity from a wind turbine, solar panel or other renewable energy source. When non-polluting energy displaces energy produced from burning fossil fuels, there is a corresponding savings in greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide) that is captured as the Green Tag.

BEF’s Green Tags are certified by Green-e (www.green-e.org) and designated Climate Cool by the Climate Neutral Network as having a net zero impact on the climate while also displacing fossil fuel generated electricity and approximately 1,400 pounds of C02 emissions per Green Tag (www.climateneutral.com). The new renewable energy resources that produce BEF’s Green Tags are certified by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Renewable Northwest Project and the Northwest Energy Coalition.

About BEF
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established in 1998 to restore watershed ecosystems and further the development and use of new renewable energy resources. Through revenues generated from the sales of green power products, BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind and biomass. BEF pioneered the sale of Green Tags in 2000 and has helped establish national standards for certification and trading. Created by regional environmental groups and the Bonneville Power Administration, the Foundation operates collaboratively with but independent of both.

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