SOLAR POWER STATION TO BE BUILT AT HANFORD NUCLEAR RESERVATION

August 1, 2000 (Richland, WA) - Three Northwest energy organizations announced today plans to construct the region's largest solar power station on the site of the terminated WNP-1 nuclear power plant in south-central Washington. The Earth Day 2001 commitment was announced by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Energy Northwest, and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

Additional corporate financial sponsorship is coming from Newport Northwest LLC. A pending grant from the U.S. Department of Energy would complete the financing package. Altogether the organizations will invest up to $250,000 in the first phase of what will be the largest solar photovoltaic installation in the Pacific Northwest, with a generating capacity between 35 and 50 kilowatts.

Steve Wright, acting BPA administrator said, "This is the second regional solar facility BPA, the Environmental Foundation and public power have collaborated on. The 30-kilowatt Ashland Solar Project was dedicated only last summer. It shows that even in the midst of our present difficulties, BPA and its partners are continuing to invest in the region's energy future."

"This station will help meet the growing demand for green power in the Northwest and demonstrate the promise of solar technology for this region," said Angus Duncan, president of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

"Today, our public power members will get a head start in learning about this generation technology of the future," added Dick Koenigs, project development manager for Energy Northwest.

Energy Northwest, a consortium of 13 public power agencies in Washington and operator of the Columbia Generating Station, will own and operate the pilot plant. The station will deliver power using interconnection equipment originally intended to link the nuclear plant to the grid. Additional donations from other partners and revenues from power sales will be reinvested in increasing the station's capacity over time.

Estimated output would be about 80,000 kilowatt-hours annually for the full 50-kilowatt first phase of the installation. At least 27.5 kilowatts could be installed and operating as early as this July.

Each of the three partners will invest $50,000 in the installation's first phase. The partners anticipate another $50,000 coming later from the U.S. Department of Energy's "Brightfields" solar grant program, through Washington State University's Cooperative Extension Energy Service. Western Sun, a solar equipment buying cooperative associated with WSU, will assist with procurement of the solar cells and balance-of-station equipment.

An additional $50,000 contribution has been committed by Newport Northwest LLC of Mercer Island, Wash., an affiliate of Newport Generation Inc., Irvine, Calif.

Ralph Cavanagh, energy policy project director for the Natural Resources Defense Council in San Francisco, said, "The Northwest isn't thought of as a natural home for solar. But in fact the region has a world-class solar resource, as this project demonstrates."

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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