GREEN-E PRELIMINARY VERIFICATION REVEALS SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CERTIFIED RENEWABLE ENERGY SALES IN 2003

Contact: Këri Bolding, CRS Communications Director, 415-561-2100, kbolding@resource-solutions.org Green-e Press Release 2004 GREEN-E PRELIMINARY VERIFICATION REVEALS SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CERTIFIED RENEWABLE ENERGY SALES IN 2003 86% Increase in Total Renewable Volume between 2002 and 2003 SAN FRANCISCO, CA (July 29, 2004)- The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) today released its preliminary verification results for Green-e certified renewable electricity sales in 2003, showing an 86% increase in total volume of certified renewable energy sales over the previous year. The unaudited results from the Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program's annual verification process show positive growth in total sales, supply, and resulting pollution reduction due to certified renewable energy in 2003.crs2 The preliminary results reveal that certified tradable renewable certificate (TRC) sales grew exponentially. Over 1.8 million MWh of renewables were purchased as certificates -a twelve-fold increase over 2002. Utility green pricing sales of certified renewable electricity also grew by 12% in 2003. Despite the success in the renewable energy certificate and green pricing markets, the 2003 competitive market showed a decline in retail renewable electricity sales and total retail customers. This competitive market drop can be largely attributed to the repeal of direct access and supporting state programs in California following the energy crisis. Most competitive suppliers have now stopped serving green power to customers in California. The Northeast competitive market, however, was successful in 2003. Sales of renewable electricity and customers in the Mid Atlantic, New England, and New York regions increased between 2002 and 2003. Retail renewable sales in the Northeast grew by 75% and the number of customers increased by 50%. "The sharp increase in the total volume of certified renewable energy sales is a positive sign that green power markets can succeed despite market barriers," said Jan Hamrin, CRS Executive Director. "With sales of renewables increasing significantly each year, our independent verification process is a vital confirmation that voluntary markets for renewable energy do work and contribute to strengthened commitments to renewable energy generation and supply." Green-e is the leading verification program in the country, providing independent, third party certification to ensure renewable energy products meets strict environmental and consumer protection standards set through a collaborative process with environmentalists, consumer advocates and energy experts. These verification numbers represent unaudited renewable energy sales for 98 marketers selling 59 Green-e certified products in 2003. Of these products, 30 were electricity products, 23 were TRC products and 6 were green pricing products. "Several new renewable energy markets have just begun to grow and we expect the number of customers to rebound in 2005 while the renewable MWh continue to grow," said Gabe Petlin, Green-e Program Manager in Competitive and TRC Markets. As of July 14, 2004, there are 100 marketers selling 60 Green-e certified products. Of these, 28 are electricity products, 25 are TRC products and 7 are green pricing products. Highlights of the preliminary verification results between 2002 and 2003 include: * Green-e certified products nearly doubled from 32 to 59. * Total renewable sales increased by 86%, while total customers dropped by 41%. * More marketers sold more certified renewable energy to fewer, larger customers. * Total TRC renewables sales grew to over 1.8 million MWh - 12 fold increase over 2002. * Green Pricing renewables sales grew by 12%. Copies of the final 2003 Green-e Verification Report will be available this fall. For more information visit the green-e website, www.green-e.org. About Green-e and the Center for Resource Solutions Launched in 1997, The Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program is the leading voluntary certification and verification program that sets standards for renewable electricity-based products in three markets for renewable energy: restructured, regulated, and tradable renewable certificates (TRCs). Nationally, Green-e currently certifies 60 products that are sold by 100 marketers, utilities and brokers. To learn more about certified renewable energy available throughout the US, visit www.green-e.org, or call 888.63.GREEN. Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), a national nonprofit organization that makes it easier for people and organizations to use renewable energy. CRS designs and operates national and international programs that support the increased supply and use of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and low-impact hydroelectric power. To learn more about CRS, visit: www.resource-solutions.org. ### ~ For more information, contact Këri Bolding, CRS Communications Director ~