VANCOUVER, Wash. – August 15, 2005 – The Holland, Inc. announced today that it has expanded upon its long-standing commitment to sustainable operating practices and local ingredients by committing to use renewable wind power produced in the Pacific Northwest to provide 100 percent of the electricity needs of all it’s Burgerville and Noodlin’ restaurants throughout Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, as well as its local headquarters in Vancouver, Washington.  The adoption of wind power for the company’s Burgerville restaurants represents the largest national implementation of renewable wind power within a quick service restaurant chain.

The Holland, Inc. and its restaurants are purchasing renewable “clean” wind power from Portland General Electric (PGE), Pacific Power, Clark Public Utilities, Columbia River People’s Utility District (PUD), Cowlitz Public Utility District (PUD) and Green Tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). By utilizing wind power, The Holland, Inc. and its restaurants will avoid adding 17.4 million pounds of CO2 to the region annually.  Eliminating this volume of the harmful greenhouse gas is the equivalent of taking approximately 1,700 cars off the road or reducing the number of miles driven in the region by 19 million. 

Sustainable practices have been a pillar of The Holland, Inc.’s mission since it was founded in 1922.  Believing that companies have a responsibility to adopt practices that are good for the local community and the environment, the entire The Holland, Inc. family has always partnered with local growers and farmers to ensure top-quality ingredients and to give back to the local communities that sustain the company’s restaurants.  Utilizing Northwest renewable wind power extends this practice by helping to improve the environment in our region and sets an example for how other companies can be successful and remain environmentally friendly.

“Our approach to running a successful restaurant is based on putting guests, employees and communities first,” said Jeff Harvey, chief operating officer, The Holland, Inc. “From the innovation of our food concepts, to the use of fresh and sustainable local ingredients, and now with the selection of wind power for our restaurants and offices, we remain committed to business practices that benefit our guests and enhance the communities we live in.”

The renewable energy supplied to The Holland, Inc. for its green power commitment will come from large-scale wind farms located throughout the Pacific Northwest (primarily Eastern Washington and Oregon). As with the utilization of locally produced ingredients for its restaurant’s menus, supporting regionally-produced wind energy creates direct economic benefits to the Northwest. Renewable energy development can represent additional sources of revenue to farmers and ranchers who host wind sites on their land as well as providing new jobs and tax revenues to rural economies.

About The Holland, Inc.
The Holland, Inc. is the premiere provider of the Pacific Northwest dining experience to discerning and quality conscious communities and guests. The Holland, Inc. restaurants bring the flavor of the Pacific Northwest to life through local sustainable farming by delivering the highest levels of food quality, safety and ingredients. The experience and standards consumers find at white table cloth restaurants is provided at Burgerville, Noodlin’ and Beaches, which are wholly owned subsidiaries of The Holland, Inc. With a goal to conduct food and business operations in a sustainable fashion, Burgerville and Noodlin’ have moved out of the quick service food category and into “Fast Casual” dining. The trio of restaurants have menus created with Northwest-sourced ingredients including all-natural Oregon County Beef, Walla Walla onions, Tillamook cheese, and Yo-Cream International yogurt. With more than 1,500 employees and 43 restaurants throughout Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, The Holland, Inc. serves guests with great tasting food in a community based environment and a service mission of love. For more information and news on The Holland, Inc., please visit the Web site at www.hollandinc.com.

QUOTE SHEET
Utility Partner Commentary

PGE:  “We are impressed by The Holland, Inc.’s history of leadership in sustainable practices and their selection of ‘clean’ wind power’,” said Thor Hinckley, renewable power program manager at PGE. “They truly 'walk the talk' when it comes to sustainability, and we applaud The Holland, Inc. for encouraging other citizens to purchase renewable energy from their utility."

Pacific Power:  “Buying renewable power through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program is a great way to integrate environmental sustainability into The Holland, Inc.’s business practices,” said Bill Edmonds, Pacific Power’s director of environmental policy. “The Holland’s efforts are bringing even more clean energy into our system and it is promoting local wind farm development.”

Clark Public Utilities:  "We're delighted that The Holland Inc. has joined our Green Lights program and they have significantly raised the bar by becoming our largest purchaser,” said Larry Blaufus, senior manager of energy technologies and services, Clark Public Utilities. The commitment to purchase 100 percent of their electricity needs from green power will encourage others to join the program, which will result in development of additional renewable energy resources in the Pacific Northwest.”

Columbia River People’s Utility District:  “Columbia River PUD congratulates The Holland, Inc. and Burgerville for their companywide commitment to purchasing 100 percent of their electricity needs from wind generation here in the northwest,” said Thad Roth, Market Development and Communications Manager, Columbia River PUD.  “Their continued leadership in sustainable business practices provides a great example of how these practices can result in a successful business enterprise.”

Cowlitz Public Utility District:  “Cowlitz PUD is thrilled that Burgerville is willing to step forward and make such a significant investment into the development of wind power and other renewable resources in the Pacific Northwest,” said Dave Andrew, Spokesman for Cowlitz County PUD. “This really is an incredible commitment on Burgerville’s part.”

Bonneville Environmental Foundation:  “BEF applauds The Holland, Inc. on its commitment to helping offset greenhouse gas emissions and in its forward-thinking approach,” said Tom Starrs, COO and vice president of marketing and sales for BEF. “What’s important is ensuring more green energy gets put into the grid, and whether that energy is generated in Washington, Oregon or elsewhere, The Holland is leading by example. We hope that more businesses will join in supporting green energy programs locally and nationally.”