Press Releases

 

Media Contact:
Adam Raphaely
646.616-0074
adam.raphaely@karbone.com

For Immediate Release:
December 14, 2011

Karbone Structures 20-Year REC Off-Take Agreement for Oregon Community Wind Project with Seattle City Light and OneEnergy Renewables

 

Long-Term REC Agreement with PáTu Wind Farm is One of First
of its Kind for Community Wind Project

 Establishes Unique Model for Other Community Wind Projects Throughout the U.S.

New York – Karbone, a full service environmental commodities firm, today announced it has successfully structured and closed two long-term off-take agreements for renewable energy certificates (RECs). The agreements are for the next 20 years of full capacity power generation from PáTu Wind Farm LLC (PáTu Wind), a subsidiary of community wind farm developer Oregon Trails Wind Farm LLC. PáTu Wind is a 9-megawatt wind project located in Sherman County, OR.

The first off-take agreement is between PáTu Wind and OneEnergy Renewables, a clean energy project developer and environmental commodity sales and trading firm. OneEnergy Renewables will purchase the RECs generated by the Project in years 2011 through 2015 and offer them to customers interested in supporting locally-generated renewable energy on the voluntary market.

The second agreement is with Seattle City Light (SCL), Seattle's publicly owned electric utility, which will purchase the project's RECs generated in years 2016 through 2030 to help meet their requirements under Washington's renewable energy portfolio standard. This transaction is one of the first community wind projects to enter into a long-term REC off-take agreement.

"We feel fortunate to have worked on such a groundbreaking project", said CEO of Karbone Izzet Bensusan. "As a firm specializing in structuring long-term off-take contracts in the WECC, we are excited at the prospect of helping provide commercial solutions to independent power producers to ensure that community wind has a place in the renewable energy portfolio of North America."

The PáTu community wind project was developed by Ormand and Jeff Hilderbrand on land that their family has been farming for more than a century. The project consists of six GE 1.5 MW turbines and started producing power in December 2010.

"I appreciate Karbone's efforts in matching the needs of Seattle City Light and OneEnergy Renewables to PáTu Wind," said CEO of PáTu Wind Farm LLC Orman Hilderbrand. "PáTu Wind is committed to local investment and development in Sherman County. The long-term agreements by Seattle City Light and OneEnergy Renewables gives PáTu much needed support for our continuing efforts to stimulate local investment and development."

The 9 MW PáTu wind farm is surrounded by the 850 MW Klondike and Biglow Canyon wind farms. The name "PáTu," which means snowfields, comes from Native America legends. Mt. Adams, a majestic snow covered peak, is north of PáTu Wind and was inhabited by the Wasco and Yakama tribes. To these ancient tribes, the snowfields of Mt. Adams were the source of all life and energy. In the Native American legends, PáTu (Mt. Adams) and Wy'East (Mt. Hood) were brothers, as are Ormand and Jeff Hilderbrand, the original developers of PáTu Wind.

"We're committed to building a clean energy economy, and sourcing RECs from projects like PáTu Wind is a big part of how we do that," said Bryce Smith, CEO of OneEnergy Renewables. "These RECs allow us to offer our Pacific Northwest customers a unique way to support a truly community-based, locally owned project," he added. "As clean energy project developers, we know how to select the highest-quality RECs and offsets for our voluntary customers. PáTu Wind works with independent tracking programs to verify its products, and we pass that along to our customers, as well as the knowledge that purchasing RECs from us further supports our clean energy projects."

"City Light appreciates the opportunity to work with PáTu and Karbone as City Light fulfills its Renewable Portfolio Standard requirements at the least possible cost to our customer-owners," said Robert Cromwell, director of resource acquisition for Seattle City Light. "This agreement contributes to the continued development of renewable generation in the Northwest, consistent with the City of Seattle's values and vision for a clean energy economy."

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About Karbone
Karbone is a full service firm specializing in Renewable Energy and Environmental Markets. Karbone offers integrated brokerage, capital and research & advisory services. The firm's mission is to provide clients with intelligence, capital and access to markets to help them succeed in the new energy economy. For more information, visit the company online at www.Karbone.com.

About PáTu Wind
PáTu Wind is one of the first community scale renewable energy projects in the Pacific Northwest. PáTu is dedicated to being a reliable energy supplier and to continuing providing jobs and investment in the local community.

About Seattle City Light
Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public electric utility in the United States. It has some of the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to nearly 1 million Seattle area residents. City Light has been greenhouse gas neutral since 2005, the first electric utility in the nation to achieve that distinction.

About OneEnergy Renewables
OneEnergy Renewables is dedicated to expanding the use, availability and future of clean energy in the United States. The company drives demand for renewable energy through the sale of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and carbon offsets, and drives supply through the development of utility-scale wind and solar projects. Purchasing clean energy products from OneEnergy Renewables helps support the company's wind and solar projects under development. As a result, its RECs and offsets do more to advance the future of clean energy in this country. Founded in 2009, OneEnergy Renewables is a Certified B Corporation and is headquartered in Seattle. For more information, visit the company online at www.OneEnergyRenewables.com.

Maturing Market and Blended Approach Attracts Investors.

October 10, 2011 – SEATTLE – OneEnergy Renewables, a clean energy project developer that also offers Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and carbon offsets, today announced a capital investment from Northwest Energy Angels (NWEA) for $195,000 as part of the company's most recent round of funding. This investment is in addition to an earlier NWEA commitment of $150,000. The support from NWEA, plus additional capital from other local investors, will help OneEnergy Renewables expand and mature its project pipeline and make critical progress expanding its operational infrastructure.

"Our goal is to support this country's transition to clean energy and we do that in two ways: by developing future clean energy projects and offering RECs and offsets to companies that want to reduce their current carbon footprint," said Bryce Smith, CEO of OneEnergy Renewables. "This funding allows us to add more utility-scale wind and solar projects to our pipeline, as well as reach new REC and offset customers who want their purchases to directly support clean energy projects."

"We were impressed by the unique formula and deep expertise OneEnergy Renewables has for developing premier clean energy projects as well as offering RECs and offsets," said Bill Lemon, lead investor and Northwest Energy Angels Board Member. "Solar and wind development offer exciting investment opportunities and the team of clean energy veterans at OneEnergy Renewables has refined its approach into one of the industry's best."

This funding comes at a time when OneEnergy Renewables is rapidly growing its portfolio of clean energy projects as well as REC and offset customers. The company currently has 10 utility-scale projects under development that range in size from one to 40 megawatts. OneEnergy Renewables also plans to break ground later this month on its first methane digester, located at a Pacific Northwest dairy farm, which will be one of the largest in the country. The facility is expected to deliver nearly five megawatts of clean electricity from more than 20,000 head of cattle.

OneEnergy Renewables is currently an exhibitor at AASHE 2011, the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education annual conference and expo, through October 12, 2011 in Pittsburgh, PA. The company invites show attendees to learn more about its offerings tailored to academic institutions by visiting its location on the show floor at booth #400.

About OneEnergy Renewables
OneEnergy Renewables is dedicated to expanding the use and availability of clean energy in the United States. The company develops clean energy projects and offers 100 percent verified and tracked Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and carbon offsets. The expertise OneEnergy Renewables has in both areas of its business means that it is uniquely positioned to make timely and informed decisions when selecting projects to develop and RECs and offsets to sell. Founded in 2009, OneEnergy Renewables is a Certified B Corporation and headquartered in Seattle. For more information, visit the company online at www.OneEnergyRenewables.com

About Northwest Energy Angels
Northwest Energy Angels, founded in 2006, is the first angel investment group in North America to focus exclusively on the cleantech industry. A non-profit organization, NW Energy Angels helps create successful cleantech companies by connecting promising entrepreneurs with experienced cleantech investors. NW Energy Angel members add value to the companies they invest in and act as a bridge to institutional investors. To date, members have invested more than $4.5 million in nearly 30 companies. For more information, visit www.nwenergyangels.com.

Scholarship, access to experts and hands on work on renewable projects available for students of 2011 AASHE attendee schools.

October 9, 2011 – PITTSBURGH – OneEnergy Renewables, a clean energy project developer that also offers Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and carbon offsets, today launched its Energy Scholars™ program at AASHE 2011, the annual conference and expo of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The Energy Scholars™ program is an academic and career development opportunity for students with a demonstrated commitment to the future of clean energy in the United States.

The Energy Scholars™ program offers qualified students the ability to not only receive valuable scholarship dollars, but also access to industry experts and the ability to work on a current clean energy project. This arrangement complements their education and while also developing future of clean energy leaders.

To mark the formal launch of the Energy Scholars™ program, AASHE member OneEnergy Renewables is offering all qualifying AASHE 2011 attendees the chance to be selected for one $1,000 scholarship and $500 faculty stipend. Additional Energy Scholars™ awards are available by partnering with the company to purchase RECs and offsets, or by supporting a OneEnergy Renewables clean energy project.

"The Energy Scholars™ program offers schools a way to support their sustainability and academic initiatives at the same time," said Bryce Smith, CEO of OneEnergy Renewables. "The AASHE conference provides the ideal candidate pool – institutions already committed to the cause, with students deserving of direct access to a clean energy career and some financial assistance along the way."

School representatives can visit the OneEnergy Renewables booth at booth #400 to learn more and pick up an application which asks schools to describe their current sustainability initiatives, plans for using renewable energy, and relevant curriculum. OneEnergy Renewables will announce the winner in November 2011.

OneEnergy Renewables offers academic institutions the opportunity to invest directly in clean energy projects, as well as purchase RECs and offsets to reduce a school's current environmental impact. The company currently has 10 clean energy projects under development across the country that range in size from one to 40 megawatts. Purchasing RECs and offsets from OER not only supports the current clean energy projects from where the RECS and offsets originated, but also support the future projects that OneEnergy Renewables is developing.

About OneEnergy Renewables
OneEnergy Renewables is dedicated to expanding the use and availability of clean energy in the United States. The company develops clean energy projects and offers 100 percent verified and tracked Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and carbon offsets. The expertise OneEnergy Renewables has in both areas of its business means that it is uniquely positioned to make timely and informed decisions when selecting projects to develop and RECs and offsets to sell. Founded in 2009, OneEnergy Renewables is a Certified B Corporation and headquartered in Seattle. For more information, visit the company online at www.OneEnergyRenewables.com

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Nicole Fallat
Scoville Public Relations
(206) 625-0075 x4
nicole.fallat@scovillepr.com

OneEnergy Renewables has recently become a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, an association of colleges and universities working to create a sustainable world. Through its membership in AASHE, OneEnergy Renewables will be able to better understand and assist higher education institutions in advancing their sustainability initiatives.

"OneEnergy Renewables is thrilled to partner with AASHE to further support sustainability in higher education," said Bryce Smith, CEO. "We look forward to helping STARS participants and ACUPCC signatories achieve their sustainability goals not only by providing high-quality carbon reduction solutions, but also by providing financial support and renewable energy industry access to students through our Energy Scholars™ program."

AASHE enables colleges and universities to meet their sustainability goals by providing specialized resources, professional development, and a network for sharing information about sustainability products and services. Membership covers the entire business or campus, so everyone can take advantage of event discounts, access to member-only resources, and other benefits.

"We are delighted to have OneEnergy Renewables on board and participating in the campus sustainability community," said Paul Rowland, executive director of AASHE. "Their involvement in AASHE demonstrates a commitment to working with higher education to create a just and sustainable future for all."

Among AASHE's major programs is the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), which provides higher education with a standardized, comprehensive self-assessment instrument. STARS metrics cover every sector of campus, from planning and administration to operations, to education and research. With STARS as a roadmap or guide, institutions can select meaningful and appropriate pathways to sustainability while conserving valuable resources, mitigating global warming, and building healthier communities.

Another major program that AASHE supports is the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment. Over 650 presidents and chancellors to date have signed this commitment and are leading their institutions to climate neutrality as soon as possible. AASHE hosts the climate action reporting tool for the ACUPCC.

About AASHE
AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. Its mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. It does this by providing resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research.

AASHE defines sustainability in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations. AASHE is a member-driven, independent 501(c)(3).

About OneEnergy Renewables
OneEnergy Renewables is a certified B-Corp that advances renewable energy usage today and in the future by developing utility-scale solar and wind projects, increasing participation in renewable energy and carbon offset certificate markets, and investing in tomorrow's industry leaders through its Energy Scholars™ program.

OneEnergy Renewables has partnered with the Pan Pacific Hotel to provide RECs and Carbon Offsets for the hotel's groundbreaking Zero Impact Program. Guests of the hotel now have the opportunity to neutralize the carbon footprints that result from individual hotel stays and for hosted meetings and events.

For just $0.50 per night, guests can offset the impact of their hotel stay. The small contribution goes to support the generation of 25 kilowatt-hours of clean wind energy. If guests choose to pay $1.00 per night, Pan Pacific will match this contribution. The hotel's program to reduce climate impact extends to event organizers, as well, and those that offset event activities receive an official acknowledgement certificate to display. The OneEnergy Renewables-Pan Pacific partnership emerged as part of the hotel's PanEarth Program, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of personal and business travel through conservation and offsetting initiatives.

"Our PanEarth Program isn't just about cost saving measures like towel and linen reuse to call ourselves green," said David Sullivan, the hotel's General Manager. "We have a global responsibility to invest in comprehensive sustainability practices on a much larger scale that support our corporate values around exceptional, innovative service."

About Pan Pacific
Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle features 160 guest rooms with 19 suites with views of the city, Lake Union and the Space Needle. A proud member of the Seattle Climate Partnership, Pan Pacific's PanEarth sustainability program minimizes the hotel's environmental impact and enhances guest and associate health. For more information, please visit the PanEarth Program webpage.

OneEnergy Renewables awarded its inaugural Energy Scholars scholarship in June to Trent Huntington, a second-year MBA student at the University of Washington. Trent is using the scholarship proceeds to investigate the lifecycle water consumption impacts of various energy generation technologies, including coal, natural gas, wind, and solar photovoltaic. His research aims to establish a link between energy production and water use, a critical topic in an age of increasing water scarcity.

Huntington received the scholarship as part of the OneEnergy Renewables Energy Scholars program. This one-of-a-kind educational and career development opportunity provides scholarships to engineering, business, and environmental management students, and also offers them hands-on access to OneEnergy Renewables' executives and large-scale solar and wind development projects in the students' home states.

Over the coming months, OneEnergy Renewables will expand the program to colleges and universities in throughout the country.

Learn more about the OneEnergy Renewables Energy Scholars program.

http://www.cisionwire.com/pan-pacific-hotel-seattle/r/globally-responsible-practices-important-to-business-travelers,g9126975

http://www.resource-solutions.org/pressreleases/2010/060210.htm