June 29, 2004 (Portland, Ore.) — The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) announced today that it has agreed to purchase a renewable energy product from Vision Quest, a division of TransAlta Energy Corporation based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The deal is the first of its kind and represents a significant step for the development of renewable energy in North America. The product is in the form of “Green Tags” which represent the environmental benefits of renewable energy generation and are a marketable product that businesses and individuals can use to offset the harmful impacts associated with their electricity use. The Green Tags product allows the purchase of renewable energy to cross state, provincial and national borders.

Vision Quest, Canada’s largest producer of wind energy, owns and operates wind farms and turbines throughout Canada, and sells the renewable energy in the form of “Green Tags” and electricity products. As a leader in marketing green power products to electric utilities, businesses, and individuals Vision Quest was the first company to certify Canadian “Green Tag” product for sale in the U.S. This relationship with BEF enables Vision Quest to expand its market beyond the borders of the traditional electrical system.

“When you look at the histories of our two organizations and the synergies in management styles, markets and organizational goals, this relationship really represents a natural next step for both of us,” said Jason Edworthy, managing director of Vision Quest. “Both organizations exist to ensure green energy is part of the electrical grid and by the definition of this international deal, it is clear that the environmental benefits resulting from our efforts know no political boundaries. Everyone benefits.”

BEF is North America’s leading provider of Green Tags, marketing this product to utilities, businesses and residential customers across the United States and now in Canada. BEF’s success has resulted from providing a high quality product and from its commitment to reinvest its net revenues into new renewable energy projects. BEF has successfully marketed Green Tags across the United States and sees the potential for further growth by selling to Canadian businesses and utilities.

“Vision Quest makes it very easy for our organizations to do business. The company and its product are certified in Canada and the US, which dovetails perfectly with BEF’s strict adherence to its policy that all of its Green Tag inventory be independently certified,” said Tom Starrs, vice president of marketing for BEF, “We are poised to offer this product along with our diversified supply to businesses and utilities in Canada and the United States, opening up the market for renewable energy to cross international borders without limitation.”

About the Contract
BEF and Vision Quest negotiated a contract under which Vision Quest commits to supply and BEF commits to buy Green Tags generated by wind turbines owned and operated by Vision Quest at its Canadian sites. The contract is for two years with options to extend. Details regarding the contract’s value or the number of Green Tags are not being disclosed.

About Vision Quest
Vision Quest Windelectric is a division of TransAlta, and is Canada’s largest producer of wind energy. Vision Quest is active in Alberta as a generator, holds electricity retailer licenses in Ontario, and has interests in wind power projects in a number of other provinces. Vision Quest sells Green Energy® Electricity and Green Energy® Tags, which are green power products from pure wind energy. Green Energy® Tags are available to customers across Canada and the US. For more information, see www.greenenergy.com

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.