FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2007

RE: City of Lacey Named to Green Power Leadership Club by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

CONTACTS:	Scott Spence, Lacey Public Affairs Office, (360) 491-3214
	Dave Ryan, Environmental Protection Agency, (202) 564-7827

LACEY, WA (August 22, 2007) -- The City of Lacey recently began meeting all of its municipal electrical energy needs through the exclusive use of “green power,” making it the first city in Thurston County—and only the second city in Puget Sound Energy’s entire service area—to do so.

Earlier this week, Lacey was named as a Green Power Leadership Club member by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Power Partnership Program. According to the EPA, Lacey is one of only 11 municipal participants nationwide to use 100 percent green power for electrical energy. "EPA commends the city of Lacey for making a long-term commitment to protecting the environment by purchasing green power," said Marcus Peacock, Deputy Administrator of the EPA.

Green power comes from renewable, non-polluting resources that include solar, wind, biomass and geothermal energy, as well as tidal action. All of the renewable energy the city purchases is produced here in the Northwest and is Green-E certified, which ensures that strict environmental and consumer protection standards are met.

Lacey uses green power in all of its municipal buildings—including its city hall, library, museum and public works operations center. In addition, the city’s water, reclaimed water, wastewater and stormwater utility systems are powered by renewable energy, as are all parks and recreation facilities and more than 3,000 streetlights and traffic signals.

The city expects to purchase about 10.6 million kilowatt-hours of green energy annually, resulting in a reduction of nearly 6,000 tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere each year. While green power costs more, municipal electrical expenses should rise by less than 6 percent—an increase of about $61,000 over a 12-month period.

The Lacey City Council believes that the exclusive use of green power sets a meaningful example and challenges other large users of electrical energy to consider its use. “Purchasing 100 percent green power is a significant step toward energy independence and environmental stewardship for our community,” commented Lacey Mayor Virgil Clarkson, adding, “I'm proud our city has shown leadership in this area.”

Residents and business owners can join in the effort to balance local energy needs with a greener future by purchasing green power in increments starting as small as $4 per month. Visit Puget Sound Energy at www.pse.com, or call 1-888-225-5773, for more information.

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