Palo Alto, CA -- The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) announced it has set a goal to have the #1 renewable energy program in the nation. PaloAltoGreen plans to enroll 10% of the community in its renewable energy program within one year. No current utility renewable energy program has achieved this level of enrollment.

After unveiling its new renewable energy offering four months ago on June 1, 2003, CPAU's PaloAltoGreen program achieved one of the fastest community enrollment rates in the country compared to similar programs. Four months into the program, about 1,100 participants, or nearly 4% of the residential and business customers, enrolled in PaloAltoGreen.

"Palo Alto's national reputation as an environmentally conscious community is strengthened by the great initial response we've had to this program," said City of Palo Alto Mayor Dena Mossar. "Having the #1 renewable energy program in the nation will require a commitment from residents and businesses but it's a commitment with a payoff that's priceless: a sustainable, clean future. Collectively, we can make a difference."

Many prominent Palo Alto businesses committed to supporting the environment and responsible energy resources are participating in PaloAltoGreen for their retail stores and corporate facilities.

"Our guests are savvy consumers, environmentally responsible and concerned about value," said Stephanie Wansek, general manager of Palo Alto's Cardinal Hotel. "Supporting renewable energy through our hotel's participation in PaloAltoGreen is a great proposition for us: it allows us to serve our guests needs and our community at the same time."

PaloAltoGreen is a voluntary renewable energy program offered to all residential, commercial, and industrial customers within Palo Alto to support the generation of energy from 100% clean wind and solar power resources at a low additional cost of 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. While CPAU has purchased clean hydroelectric power for its utility customers for decades, this new offering of PaloAltoGreen adds to the City's goal for renewable energy purchases to equal 10% by the year 2008 and 20% in renewable energy purchases by 2015.

The approximately 1,100 participants currently enrolled in PaloAltoGreen pay the low additional program fee to fund renewable power generators so wind power is delivered to the regional power pool instead of non-renewable energy. As a result, annually 11,600,723 pounds (5,273 tons) of carbon dioxide emissions and other harmful particulate matter will be prevented from being released into the Earth's atmosphere. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the environmental benefit is equivalent to planting 1,384 acres of forest or not driving the average passenger vehicle 13,049,0000 miles each year.

CPAU is supported in its goal to have the #1 community renewable energy program in the nation by 3 Phases Energy Services, a California-based renewable energy company. 3 Phases has helped develop and administer the program and manages the renewable energy purchases on behalf of CPAU.

City of Palo Alto Utilities' customers can sign up for PaloAltoGreen by sending an email including customer address and telephone number to paloaltogreen@cityofpaloalto.org or by calling (650) 329-2161.

About the City of Palo Alto Utilities

The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) is the only full-service municipal utility in California that operates services including electricity, fiber optic, wastewater, natural gas and water. Visit www.cpau.com for more information.

About 3 Phases Energy Services

In operation since 1994, 3 Phases Energy Services offers green pricing program design and implementation services, retail and wholesale marketing of tradable renewable certificates (Green Certificates), 100% renewable electricity direct access services, and solar photovoltaic installation. Visit www.3phases.com for more information.

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