Charter Moves WREGIS Closer to Full Operation

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 28, 2004--The Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (WREGIS) took a significant step forward in December with the approval by the WECC Board of Directors of the WREGIS Committee Charter and the subsequent formation of a WREGIS Interim Committee.

The WREGIS Committee Charter approved at the WECC Board Meeting on Dec. 2, 2004, establishes WREGIS as a Board Committee within the WECC organization. As provided in the Charter, an Interim Committee has now been appointed to organize a Stakeholders Advisory Committee consisting of WREGIS participants, and to oversee formation of the WREGIS Committee. Once formed, the WREGIS Committee will set fees, adjust operating rules, approve standards and ensure that WREGIS goals of creating and tracking creditable and marketable renewable energy certificates (RECs) are achieved.

Procurement of the electronic software that will perform the RECs tracking functions is currently making its way through the state of California Department of Finance, with approval expected in January 2005. Selection of software developer and WREGIS system operator is slated for the second quarter, with system construction and testing planned for the fourth quarter of 2005. WREGIS is expected to be operational in January 2006.

WREGIS is a project of the Western Governors Association and the California Energy Commission. The program will track renewable energy certificates throughout the Western Interconnection, allowing users and generators of electricity to efficiently meet the renewable energy portfolios required by the various states and provinces in the West.

WECC -- one of the 10 electric reliability councils in North America, encompassing a geographic area equivalent to more than half the United States -- is responsible for promoting electric system reliability and providing a forum for coordinating the operating and planning activities of its 161 member organizations. The members, representing all segments of the electric industry, provide electricity to 71 million people in 14 western states, two Canadian provinces, and portions of one Mexican state.