Show Me Energy Cooperative Announces First Use of Biomass Pellets for Electrical...

Show Me Energy Cooperative Announces First Use of Biomass Pellets for Electrical Production in the United States

Amid Historical Grain Stock Shortages, Soaring Fuel Prices and
Ongoing Climate Concerns, the Nation's Heartland Looks to a Different
Source of Energy: Ag Residues and Renewable Crops That Have No Food
Value
CENTERVIEW, Mo.--(Business Wire)--
Show Me Energy Cooperative (SMEC) of Centerview, Missouri has
announced the completion of a 150-ton biomass pellet test burn at the
Aquila generating facility at Sibley, Missouri. This is the first time
for the use of biomass pellets for electrical production in the United
States, saving over 253 tons of CO2. The project utilizes Show Me
Energy's unique biomass pellets to offset green house gas emissions
for electrical production.

SMEC biomass pellets are made from non-grain bearing crops of
cellulose such as Switchgrass, cornstalks, cereal straws, fescue straw
and other Ag residues or energy crops that have no food value.

Steve Flick, Chairman of the Board, states, "This is our first
pilot project of utilizing biomass pellets in Missouri for coal
firing. On behalf of our Farmer Members and its Board Of Directors, we
are proud to be a part of this historical event. We look forward to
working with the State of Missouri regulatory groups, Aquila and
Kansas City Power & Light to provide economic opportunity to local
farmers while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels."

SMEC's goal is to produce thousands of tons of renewable energy
pellets to displace non-renewable fuel. If adopted on a global scale,
this has the potential to displace millions of tons of greenhouse
gases, which are responsible for today's climate change crisis. While
others are relying on food crops to create energy, SMEC is
demonstrating a sustainable, environmentally friendly way that doesn't
threaten the food supply or skew the market.

For additional information visit www.goshowmeenergy.com.

About Show Me Energy Cooperative:

Show Me Energy Cooperative has as its guiding vision a commitment
to establish an innovative, profitable, leading model for production
of biomass based fuels which may be replicated across the country by
small producer owned cooperatives that will provide a positive
economic impact on the regions where they are located. It is a
non-profit, producer owned, cooperative founded to support the
development of renewable biomass energy sources in West Central
Missouri.

About Aquila:

For nearly a century, Aquila or its predecessor companies have
been providing safe, reliable electricity and natural gas service.
Currently the company serves nearly 900,000 natural gas or electric
customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The
company is currently in the process of selling its properties in
Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska to the BlackHills Corp., and its
Missouri assets to Great Plains Energy. If approved by the Missouri
Public Service Commission, these transactions are expected to close
later this summer.

About Kansas City Power & Light:

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., KCP&L (www.kcpl.com) is a
leading regulated provider of electricity in the Midwest. KCP&L is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE:
GXP).

Show Me Energy Cooperative
Steve Flick, 1-866-328-0494
Chairman Of The Board
sflick@goshowmeenergy.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008