BIG WIND FOR WASH’TN STATE

PSE to Start Construction on Lower Snake River Wind Project; 343-MW Wind Power Project Near Pomeroy, Wash., Will Generate Electricity for More Than 100,000 Homes and Create 175 Green Jobs
May 18, 2010 (Business Wire)

"…Puget Sound Energy announced the start of construction on Phase I of the Lower Snake River Wind Project…Washington's oldest energy utility is creating more green energy and more green jobs by pursuing federal stimulus-package funding and state incentives for using apprentice labor during construction, which improve the economics of the project for the utility and its customers.

"The 343-megawatt (MW) Phase I project…will significantly increase PSE's total wind-power generating capacity. The utility has finalized negotiations with Siemens Energy for 149 wind turbines, rated at 2.3 MW each, for Phase I. With a generating capacity of 343 MW, the wind energy facility is expected to provide clean power for more than 100,000 homes."

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"Construction of Phase I will create up to 150 temporary jobs, with the eventual commercial operations creating as many as 25 permanent jobs…

"PSE is building Phase I of the Lower Snake River Wind Project now, in part, to meet the utility's longer-term state renewable energy requirements…but also to protect against energy-market price volatility and the "carbon costs" government is likely to impose on utilities to address climate change…"

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"Phase I will be built near Pomeroy, Wash., on nearly 40,000 acres of leased farmland. More than 98 percent of the land will remain available for crops once the wind facility enters operation, with farmers receiving lease and royalty payments for participating in the project…PSE has also tapped Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas) for the construction of the project infrastructure…

"PSE is finalizing development of additional phases of the Lower Snake River Wind Project, including neighboring Columbia County, where the utility currently owns and operates the 87-turbine, 157-MW Hopkins Ridge Wind Facility near the city of Dayton…In addition, PSE owns and operates the 149-turbine, 273-MW Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility near Ellensburg, Kittitas County. PSE is recognized by the American Wind Energy Association as the nation's second-largest utility owner and operator of wind power…"