San Francisco, CA (August 20, 2003): The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) and Tradable Renewable Certificate (TRC) retailer, 3 Phases Energy, have jointly developed an innovative new 100% renewable energy program. This is the first time a TRC provider and municipal utility have united to establish a Green-e certified renewable energy product through the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS).

CPAU selected 3 Phases Energy, a California-based renewable energy company, as a key member of its renewable energy team. 3 Phases helped CPAU develop the PaloAltoGreen program and provides CPAU renewable energy certificates generated from a combination of local and regional green energy resources, including wind from the northwest and local solar power. The resulting product, PaloAltoGreen, initially 100% wind energy, will eventually consist of approximately 97.5% wind energy and 2.5% solar power, as soon as new solar photovoltaic projects now under development are phased in.

“We are very pleased to offer our customers, the residents, businesses and industries that receive electricity from the City of Palo Alto Utilities, a direct way to support green power,” said John Ulrich, Director of City of Palo Alto Utilities. “We are also pleased to offer the assurance of quality and excellence in renewable energy that the Green-e logo provides.”

3 Phases Energy is currently working with CPAU to develop superior marketing strategies for PaloAltoGreen and manage purchases on behalf of the City. 3 Phases offers green pricing program design and implementation services, retail and wholesale marketing of tradable renewable certificates (Green CertificatesTM), 100% renewable electricity direct access services, and solar photovoltaic installation. The innovative relationship between 3 Phases and CPAU allows Palo Alto residents who purchase PaloAltoGreen to receive the environmental benefits of renewable energy and the lower electric power prices charged by their municipal utility, and still pay 30% less than the local Pacific Gas & Electric Company standard rate.

"When customers subscribe to PaloAltoGreen, they are helping create a cleaner energy future. Green-e certification for this new product allows Palo Alto consumers to have confidence they will receive a product that meets a series of stringent environmental and customer protection criteria,” said Dan Kalafatas of 3 Phases Energy Services.

To qualify for Green-e certification, the PaloAltoGreen product will undergo a comprehensive verification process conducted by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions. CRS audits and reviews contracts, invoices and metering data to verify that the quantity and type of renewable resources sold met consumer demand, as well as the renewable energy and consumer protection requirements. They also biannually review all marketing materials to make sure that their claims to consumers match what they deliver. By having a green pricing program recognized by Green-e, PaloAltoGreen consumers can have the confidence that they are receiving the green power resources they are promised.

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The Green Pricing Accreditation Initiative is administered by the Center for Resource Solutions, a non-profit organization that brings together diverse interests to preserve our environment, encourage sustainable economic growth, and promote clean energy for present and future generations. Based in San Francisco’s Presidio, CRS administers national and international programs that preserve and protect the environment through the design of innovative strategies and increased utilization of sustainable technologies. More information is at www.resource-solutions.org. Information on CPAU’s PaloAltoGreen Program is available at www.cpau.com/programs/green/index.html Information on the products and offerings of 3 Phases Energy Service is available at www.3phases.com.

Contacts:
Këri Bolding, CRS Communications Director, 415.561.2100, kbolding@resource-solutions.org
Anthony Enerio, City of Palo Alto Utilities, 650.329.2494, anthony.enerio@cityofpaloalto.org
Dan Kalafatas, 3 Phases Energy, 415.561.6488, dkalafatas@3phases.com