Kittitas County, CWU Lead Partnership to Seek Approval as State`s First Renewable-Power Innovation Partnership Zone

New Central Washington Resource Energy Collaborative Includes County Economic
Development Group, Puget Sound Energy, enXco
ELLENSBURG, Wash.--(Business Wire)--
Building on its expanding wind and solar power industry, Kittitas County is
joining with Central Washington University, the Economic Development Group of
Kittitas County, Puget Sound Energy and enXco to create a broad public-private
partnership focused on renewable power research and job growth.

Called the Central Washington Resource Energy Collaborative, the new
organization has applied for state designation as an Innovation Partnership
Zone. The designation would open the way for future state support of the
Collaborative.

Together, the partners have committed a total of $1.2 million in financial
support and in-kind services over the next three years. In addition to
recruiting renewable-power projects, the contributions will support hiring an
executive director and constructing a building to house the collaborative`s
offices on county land at the Bowers Field Airport industrial park.

Kittitas County has four wind farms and three solar facilities in various stages
of planning and production. PSE`s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility is already
operating, and enXco`s Desert Claim Wind Power project is in the final stages of
consideration by the state.

"Led by the collaborative, we have a unique opportunity to build renewable power
into a leading economic engine for the county and state," said Kittitas County
Commissioner Paul Jewell, who has led the county`s effort to form the
collaborative. "All of the partners are fully committed to this initiative, and
we believe the state will welcome our effort."

"The collaborative capitalizes on what may become one of the nation`s largest
concentrations of renewable-power facilities so close to a four-year
university," said Dr. James Gaudino, president of Central Washington University.
"It supports CWU`s plans for new programs in renewable-power research and
management that will expand the state`s academic capabilities in an important
technology with high economic potential."

"This is an unprecedented partnership for economic development in Kittitas
County," said Ron Cridlebaugh, executive director of the Economic Development
Group of Kittitas County. "It brings together government, education, and
industry to provide financial support and expertise to expand an industry that
already has a strong foundation here and an even more promising future."

The collaborative brings together both public and private sector partners,
including PSE, the nation`s second-largest utility owner and operator of wind
power facilities. PSE`s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility near Ellensburg
entered service in 2006 with 127 wind turbines, and is now expanding with an
additional 22 wind turbines slated to become operational by the end of 2009. The
facility also includes one of the region`s largest solar arrays.

"PSE`s experience at Wild Horse is evidence that the jobs, new tax revenues and
opportunities from wind and solar power benefit the community and Washington
state," said Bert Valdman, chief operating officer and executive vice president
for PSE. "The Innovation Partnership Zone will build on this track record and
help Kittitas County remain a leader in renewable energy."

Innovation Partnership Zones are designated by the director of the state
Department of Commerce. They are designed to stimulate industry clusters of
growth within specific geographic areas, much like a research park. Eleven now
exist in the state. The deadline for the decision on the collaborative`s
application is Oct. 1.

About Kittitas County

Kittitas County is located in central Washington State, on the east slopes of
the Cascade Mountains. With a population of approximately 39,400, the county
boasts a rich cultural history that is the result of agricultural, education,
and resource-based industries such as timber and mining. In recent years, timber
and mining have been complemented recently with more recreational-based and
service industries. Energy production from renewable sources such as wind and
solar have also developed in the county, so far primarily near the city of
Ellensburg. Ellensburg is the largest city in Kittitas County and is the county
seat as well as the home of Central Washington University.

About Central Washington University

Central Washington University is a master`s degree-granting institution with
approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160
undergraduate and master`s degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg
campus is located in the heart of Washington state, nestled between the Cascade
Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of
placebound students at six university centers throughout the state. Central
Washington University is an AA/EEO/Title IX Institution. TDD 509-963-2143.

About the Economic Development Group of Kittitas County

The Economic Development Group of Kittitas County (EDGKC) is actively involved
in improving the business climate of the county by increasing the tax base,
helping existing businesses expand and become more profitable, attracting new
businesses to the county and offering business start-up assistance. It also
operates a microloan fund and oversees the Ellensburg Business Incubator and an
industrial building for the Ellensburg Business Development Authority. Its
mission is to provide active leadership that promotes business and stimulates
economic growth in Kittitas County.

About Puget Sound Energy

Washington state`s oldest local energy utility, Puget Sound Energy serves more
than 1 million electric customers and nearly 750,000 natural gas customers in 11
counties. A subsidiary of Puget Energy, PSE meets the energy needs of its
growing customer base through incremental, cost-effective energy conservation,
procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the
energy-delivery infrastructure. PSE employees are dedicated to providing great
customer service and delivering energy that is safe, reliable, reasonably
priced, and environmentally responsible. For more information, visit
www.PSE.com.

About enXco, an EDF EN Company:

enXco (www.enxco.com) - an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company
(www.edf-energies.nouvelles.com) develops, constructs, operates and manages
renewable energy projects throughout the United States. For more than two
decades, we have been a leader in wind-energy focusing on large-scale wind
projects. Today enXco`s portfolio includes solar and biomass technologies, in an
effort to help drive our nation`s transition to a sustainable energy economy.
enXco is a significant owner and developer of wind-energy installations in the
United States, and is the largest third-party operations & maintenance provider
for wind farms in North America.

Kittitas County
Paul Jewell, 509-962-7508
or
CWU
Dr. James Gaudino, 509-963-2111
or
EDGKC
Ron Cridlebaugh, 509-962-7244
or
PSE
Andy Wappler, 888-831-7250
or
enXco
David Steeb, 425-941-3774

Copyright Business Wire 2009