Bay Area Governments Make Switch to "Green" Power; Local Governments are Largest Consumers of "Green" Energy.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 6, 1999--

The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Power, representing 59 local governments within the San Francisco Bay Area, are making the switch to "green" energy - saving taxpayers nearly $1 million.

"California's newly deregulated electric market allows local communities to develop their own energy policies," said Steven Kelly, executive director of the Renewable Energy Marketing Board (REMB). "It's encouraging that over 100 local agencies statewide have made the switch to 'green' energy - setting an example for residential and business customers."

Green power purchases from local governments exceed that of any other sector in California's electric market - representing approximately half of all clean energy purchases since the market opened to competition in 1998. Members of ABAG Power consume 63 MW of electrical capacity during periods of peak summer demand - the same amount of power required to serve a city the size of Davis.

Members of ABAG Power join the City of Santa Monica, which became the first city in the nation to purchase green power for all of its municipal needs last June. Last month, 60 of the 78 local government agencies that comprise the San Diego Association of Governments also switched to green power.

"Purchasing green power is a way for local governments to stop sending their electricity dollars to coal power plants that generate air pollution and contribute to global warming," said Kelly. "It's gratifying to see local governments taking the lead in environmental responsibility."

ABAG Power represents cities and counties throughout Northern California including the cities of Albany, Arcata, Benicia, Cupertino, Daly City, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Mill Valley, Orinda, Petaluma, San Rafael, Salinas, Santa Rosa, Vacaville and Vallejo, and the counties of Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Sonoma.

ABAG Power will purchase clean energy from Calpine corporation. Calpine generates electricity from geothermal steam located in the Geysers in Sonoma County - the world's largest geothermal development.