Development company hopes to spur national trend with "Green Tags"

July 7, 2003 (Portland, Ore.) — Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) announced today that a well-known Tahoe, CA gourmet restaurant, Wild Goose, will support wind energy by purchasing "Green Tags," or renewable energy credits, equal to half of the restaurant's power usage for two years.

This Green Tag purchase eliminates more than 552,000 pounds of greenhouse emissions - primarily carbon dioxide - from the environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That's the emissions equivalent of keeping about 48 cars off the road for one year, or planting 75 acres of trees.

"We first focused on reducing on-site environmental impacts, then looked beyond to more global issues," said Aaron Revere, Director of Environmental Initiatives for East West Partners developer of the Wild Goose Restaurant. "We chose BEF's Green Tags because they are an effective way to support clean wind energy and avoid contributing to the air pollution that results from burning fossil fuels in electricity generation. We hope to raise the bar for developers and spread the word so that more companies consider using this method of reducing air pollution."

The Portland, OR-based Bonneville Environmental Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to further development of renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and biomass. BEF offers Green Tags, or renewable energy credits, and the organization pioneered national standards for certification and trading of the credits.

"We are pleased that a high-profile development company like East West Partners has chosen Green Tags," said BEF president Angus Duncan. "Utilizing clean renewable energy as a building tool promises to attract a lot of attention in the world of real estate development and East West Partners is setting an example others are sure to follow."

East West Partners is a resort real estate development company active in several states, including California and Colorado. Wild Goose was developed according to the rigorous criteria established by the U.S. Green Building Council and its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. East West Partners expects approval as a 'LEED Certified' green building this fall. Making a commitment to renewable energy is just one component of sustainable design recognized by LEED. Other sustainable design elements of the Wild Goose include the use of certified non-oldgrowth wood products, recycled blue jean insulation, and natural daylighting.

About BEF
Bonneville Environmental Foundation funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind and biomass. Created by regional environmental groups and the Bonneville Power Administration, the Foundation operates collaboratively but independent of both. Visit online at www.GreenTagsUSA.org.

About Green Tags
Also known as Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) or Tradable Renewable Energy Credits (TRECs), BEF's Green Tags represent the environmental benefits that occur when renewable energy replaces energy produced from burning fossil fuels on the - power grid. The result is a corresponding savings in greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide). BEF's Green Tags maybe purchased by anyone from any location independent of their utility in support of renewable energy.

BEF's Green Tags are Green-e certified by the Center for Resource Solutions (www.green-e.org) and designated Climate Cool by the Climate Neutral Network as having a net zero impact on the climate (www.climateneutral.com). The Natural Resources Defense Council, Renewable Northwest Project and the Northwest Energy Coalition certify new renewable energy resources that produce BEF's Green Tags.

About East West Partners
East West Partners is a family of related but independent companies devoted to building, selling, managing, and supporting high-quality real estate in the communities in which they operate. EWP makes a practice of giving back to the communities in which it works as well as vigorously protecting the natural environment. Learn more at www.eastwestpartners.com.

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