Farm-Scale Wind Turbine and Solar-Powered Watering Systems Represent Bonneville Environmental Foundation's Latest Action on Renewable Energy and Watershed Restoration

July 9, 2003 (Portland, Ore.) — New renewable energy and watershed restoration projects are up and running because of funding and expertise provided by Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). A 10 kilowatt farm-scale wind turbine located in central Washington went online in May 2003, the first in a series of ten turbines to be installed in rural locations as part of a partnership between BEF and Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (SEED). BEF's latest watershed restoration project involves two new solar-powered livestock watering systems installed at critical stream locations on ranches in Oregon and Idaho.

"These new renewable energy and watershed projects are the latest additions to BEF's track record of tangible progress in the two areas critical to its mission: supporting renewable energy and restoring watersheds," said Angus Duncan, BEF's President.

Through the first turbine in Peshastin, Wash. and the other nine that will follow it, the goal of BEF and Northwest SEED is to demonstrate that distributed, locally owned wind turbines are a feasible and cost-effective way to meet local power loads.

Over time, Northwest SEED and BEF plan to expand the project: "We'd love to see these initial 100 kilowatts grow to at least a megawatt of dispersed, clean generation-with hundreds of farms powered by small wind turbines throughout the region," said Rob Harmon, BEF's Vice President and Director of Renewable Energy Programs.

Todd Reeve, BEF's Watershed Director, commented on the new watering systems: "Our new solar watering systems will allow ranchers to follow traditional practices while enhancing stream and riparian conditions for fish and wildlife."

These watering systems protect the stream by using solar powered pumps to deliver water to remote troughs, thereby removing the need for livestock to directly access streamside areas. The two sites-located near Bonners Ferry, Idaho and La Grande, Ore.-will demonstrate the capacity of new technology to provide for livestock, fish and wildlife needs in the Pacific Northwest.

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 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 1999 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.

About Northwest SEED
Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (www.nwseed.org) was founded in 2001 to help farmers and local communities in Washington, Oregon and Idaho harvest "home-grown" renewable resources - wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and low-impact hydro, coupled with conservation and bio-based products - while fostering self-sufficiency and creating new revenue streams. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, Northwest SEED supports and develops creative programs, policies and financing approaches to build rural economies and diversify the region's energy supply with affordable, distributed "green" generation.

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