March 23/24, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     

Contact:

Christine Real de Azua
202-383-2508

Brian Gill
202-828-8830

                            Leaders Recognized for Key Roles in Advancing Wind Energy Markets

First Global Wind Industry Conference in U.S. Spotlights Leading Figures

In Development of Renewable Resource

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) will recognize a diverse group of business leaders, advocates, and policymakers as the most influential voices in the development of the wind power industry at the Global WINDPOWER 2004 Conference and Exhibition.   Global WINDPOWER 2004 is the first worldwide wind industry event to be held in the U.S.    It will take place in Chicago, Ill., March 28-31, and feature over 220 exhibitors and pavilions, and over 3,000 expected attendees.   Some $9 billion in global investment flowed into wind power projects in 2003.  

"The breadth and scope of the wind industry's impact on the U.S. and, indeed, the global economy is reflected in this year's distinguished award winners," said AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher. "The success in developing America's growing wind energy market is due in large part to the leadership of these organizations and individuals who demonstrate their commitment to renewable energy every day in their actions."

Information on the award winners is detailed below:

Commercial Achievement -- AWS Scientific/TrueWind Solutions - "For providing over twenty years of high-quality consulting services and innovative wind resource mapping products."    AWS and TrueWind are based in Albany, New York.   Sophisticated wind resource assessment makes it possible to estimate a wind farm's output over time with an increasing level of accuracy.  

Commercial Achievement - FPL Energy - "For playing a pioneering role in accessing mainstream capital markets for wind power projects."   FPL, which is based in Juno Beach, Florida, issued an investment-grade rated bond for part of its wind portfolio - a first in the industry.   The bond sold strongly, and signaled growing acceptance of wind power in the U.S. capital markets.

State Leadership Award -- New Jersey Board of Public Utilities -- "For providing an effective model for progressive state renewable energy policy."   The Board is recognized for its efforts to develop comprehensive renewable energy policy through a wide range of initiatives.   It is overseeing implementation of a Renewables Portfolio Standard for the state (requiring 4% of power to come from renewable energy sources by 2008, ramping up to 20% by 2020), and is managing a Clean Energy fund to support renewables and efficiency initiatives valued at about $120 million per year.  

Federal Leadership Award - Peter Goldman, U.S. Department of Energy - "In recognition of strong, capable, and collaborative leadership of the federal Wind Program."   Peter Goldman, who started with the federal Wind Program in 1980, has set an exemplary role in working in partnership with the wind industry, and his program has made important contributions on a wide range of issues, including technology development, transmission, technology deployment and wildlife and siting issues.

Utility Leadership Award - PacifiCorp -- "For its leadership role in the increasing utilization of wind power by the electric utility industry."   PacifiCorp, based in Portland, Oregon, is being recognized for its pioneering role in regard to wind, including a commitment to add an additional 1,100MW in wind generating capacity by 2010.

Wind Energy Advocacy Award   -   Environmental Law and Policy Center -- "For providing a strong voice advocating development of renewable energy in the Midwest."   The Chicago-based Center has made outstanding contributions to raising the profile of the Renewables Portfolio Standard (requiring that a growing portion of electricity come from renewable sources) in legislatures and promoting wind power in Illinois; played a key role in establishing a $250-million Illinois Clean Energy Community Trust; and published Repowering the Midwest: the Clean Energy Development Plan for the Heartland .

Technical Achievement - Second Wind -   "For two decades of accomplishment in developing outstanding turbine monitoring and control systems and cutting edge resource assessment equipment for the wind industry."   Second Wind, from Somerville, Massachusetts, installed monitoring systems on over 900MW of turbines in the U.S. in 2003.   Their systems are now installed in over 5,000 wind turbines around the world.

Outstanding Achievement in Operations - Russell Leach, GE Energy - "For dedication to the sound development, operation, and maintenance of wind power generation."    Leach has worked with the wind industry in Texas and is now based in Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he is playing a key role in operations of Public Service of New Mexico's 204-MW project.

Academic Achievement - Stel Walker, Oregon State University   -- "In recognition of exceptional and longstanding contributions to the advancement of wind energy technology and resource development."   Walker received his Ph.D. from Oregon State in 1976, and over his thirty-year career, he has been involved in such diverse work as rotor code development, wind turbine development, wind turbine testing, wind measurement, and technical evaluation of wind power projects.

Special Achievement Award - Ryan Wiser, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory   -- "For excellence in research, analysis, and clear documentation of renewable energy policy and market drivers."    Wiser has published a strong body of analysis relating to wind and other renewables, including noteworthy work on renewable energy policy and economics.

Special Achievement Award -- Mary McCann, GE Energy - "For her thoughtful and creative leadership in finding new and effective ways to tell the wind energy story."   McCann serves as Director of Global Marketing Communications and Public Relations for GE Energy's wind business, and is a twenty-year veteran of the wind industry based in Tehachapi, California.  

Financier of the Year   - Babcock and Brown - "For groundbreaking project financings that enabled smaller wind developers to finance significantly sized projects."   Babcock & Brown's San Francisco office closed financings for three separate wind projects in December 2003 with an aggregate capacity exceeding 150MW. The projects are located in three different states, and have different developers, power purchasers, and turbines.

Outstanding Contribution to the Wind Industry - Stephen Reuwer, FPL Energy --   "In recognition of his leadership in the successful execution of an industry-leading portfolio of wind generation projects."   FPL Group is the largest owner and operator of wind power projects in the U.S. and Reuwer is the company's Senior Director of Wind Power Construction.   He has brought to the project development process a determination to identify and eliminate every possible inefficiency in a given construction process in order to achieve cost and schedule targets while not compromising FPL Energy's strong corporate commitment to safety and quality in the final product.

The honorees will be recognized at the Association's Awards Banquet at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, March 30, 2004.   Jonathan Lash, executive director of the World Resources Institute will serve as the keynote speaker for the Awards Banquet.   Information on Global WINDPOWER 2004 Conference and Exhibition is available at   http://www.awea.org/global04.html.    Information about wind energy is available at www.awea.org

AWEA, formed in 1974, is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry.   The association's membership includes turbine manufacturers, wind project developers, utilities, academicians, and interested individuals.   More information on wind energy is available at the AWEA web site:   www.awea.org .

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