Palo Alto, CA -- A "Green-e" endorsement was recently bestowed on the City of Palo Alto Utilities' (CPAU) PaloAltoGreen renewable energy program by the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS). This important industry certification provides Palo Altans quality assurance of the green power resources they support by participating in PaloAltoGreen.

To earn Green-e certification, the PaloAltoGreen program will undergo a comprehensive verification process conducted by CRS. CRS will audit the program to verify that the quantity and type of renewable resources sold met consumer demand, as well as the renewable energy and consumer protection requirements. They also biannually review all marketing materials to make sure that PaloAltoGreen's claims to utility customers match what it delivers.

"We know that our customers value renewable energy resources but the support of PaloAltoGreen in its first few months has been overwhelmingly positive. This endorsement of our program will only strengthen the compelling draw to support energy resources like wind and solar power," said John Ulrich, City of Palo Alto Director of Utilities.

PaloAltoGreen purchases renewable energy from newly constructed public power wind turbine facilities within the western states and from new solar photovoltaic projects in California. This program, geared toward empowering individual consumers to have a convenient way to make a difference, is just another way that CPAU promotes renewable energy. 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.

Palo Alto residential and business utility customers can sign up for PaloAltoGreen by sending an email that includes customer address and telephone number to paloaltogreen@cityofpaloalto.org or by calling (650) 329-2241.

About CRS

The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a non-profit organization that brings together diverse interests to preserve our environment, encourage sustainable economic growth, and promote clean energy for present and future generations. Based in San Francisco, California, CRS administers national and international programs that preserve and protect the environment through the design of innovative strategies and increased utilization of sustainable technologies. More information is at www.resource-solutions.org

About City of Palo Alto Utilities

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

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