THREE PUGET SOUND COMPANIES PLUG IN TO A 100% GREEN ENERGY

April 4, 2001 (Portland, OR) - Three Puget Sound companies announced today their purchase of Green Tags sourced by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) in an amount equal to 100% of their energy use. The companies, Xantrex Technology, Inc., for its Arlington facility, Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters of Olympia, and Global Energy Concepts of Kirkland are the first in the area - and among the first in the U.S. - committing to 100% new renewable energy.

Angus Duncan, president of BEF, and others saluted this commitment at a ceremony held at Snohomish County Public Utility District. Duncan praised the foresight shown by this group and encouraged others to follow suit. "It takes leadership and courage to be the first. Making a commitment to new renewable energy is an important signal," said Duncan. "By their actions, these companies are demonstrating that sustainable business practices are good for their communities, their customers and their business."

Green Tags are the environmental attributes of new renewable energy which are sold separated from the actual energy output, representing the environmental benefit that occurs when new renewable energy replaces traditional forms of power generation. By purchasing Green Tags, these buyers are providing critical added financing that brings new renewables, like wind and solar, into the Region's power supply.

Snohomish County PUD is partnering with Xantrex Technologies to secure Green Tags for the company's plant in Arlington, with more than 350 employees. Xantrex subsidiary, Trace Engineering, is a leading manufacturer of components for renewable power systems. "We recognize renewable resources are a viable solution to our country's energy problems. Our purchase of Green Tags is one action we can take today that demonstrates our commitment to a healthier environment, helps fund construction of additional renewable generating sources, and reduces dependence on fossil fuels," said Xantrex's director of marketing, Kevin Hagen.

Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters acquired Green Tags for their Olympia and Atlanta, GA offices with one purchase. Scott Merle of Batdorf & Bronson said, "We purchase our coffee from sustainable sources that are healthy to the environment so the decision to buy renewable energy is a natural extension of our business philosophy."

Robert Poore from Global Energy Concepts, an engineering and energy technology consulting company, said, "When we looked at the impact of our electrical use on air quality and thought about the implications for global warming, we knew that we could not wait to act. Green Tags are an easy, and highly credible way to increase the amount of renewable energy resources utilized in the Pacific Northwest."

Rachel Shimshak, executive director of the Renewable Northwest Project, joined Nancy Hirsh of Northwest Energy Coalition and Paul Horton, co-director of Climate Solutions, in recognizing the three companies for meeting the Clean Energy Challenge, presented by a coalition of 13 environmental groups. Shimshak said, "This commitment to new renewable energy means more renewables in the energy mix of the region." Added Horton, "As a result of these three companies buying Green Tags, 899 fewer tons of CO2 will be emitted into the atmosphere annually. This is the equivalent of the emissions of 180 cars or the amount of CO2 that would be offset by planting 373 acres of trees each year."

"It is appropriate that we are recognizing these companies at Snohomish County PUD," said Duncan. "Snohomish County PUD has been an early supporter of green energy and the largest buyer of renewable energy among the public utilities in the Pacific Northwest." Kathleen Vaughn, Snohomish County PUD Commissioner said, "The key to stable electric rates is investment in renewable energy."

About BEF
Bonneville Environmental Foundation was established in 1998 to further the development and use of new renewable energy resources. BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and create new sources of renewable energy such as solar, wind and low-impact hydro.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation is a non-profit organization that collaborates with, but is independent of, the Bonneville Power Administration.

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