PR 82 05 BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY, Oct. 13, 2005 Contact: Ed Mosey | , BPA (503)-230-5131     BPA calls for energy conservation this winter: "It's the only way to cool red hot fuel costs" PORTLAND, Ore. - The Bonneville Power Administration today urged Northwest consumers to save money, help the economy and protect the environment by conserving energy this winter in the face of exploding fuel costs. "While the price of electricity is now relatively low compared to the costs of fossil fuels, conserving all types of energy will help consumers hold expenses down," said Steve Wright, BPA administrator. "BPA and Northwest utilities have developed an arsenal of very effective conservation measures to control home electricity bills." Supplies of electricity from the Federal Columbia River Power System should be adequate to meet the region's needs this winter at stable rates. Recent energy cost increases are tied to the rising costs of fossil fuels. The only effective antidote to these cost increases is conservation, said Wright. BPA supplies about 40 percent of the region's total electricity supply. The non-profit agency sells wholesale power from the Federal Columbia River dams to utilities. Because 90 percent of this energy is hydropower, BPA's rates are very competitive in today's market. "But the region is relying more and more on natural-gas-fired combustion turbines to meet electrical demand growth," Wright explained. "Natural gas prices have risen to record highs, and this will inevitably push up the market price of electricity. Using energy more efficiently will save ratepayers money now and in the future." Conserving energy also helps the environment by reducing air pollution and putting less stress on rivers, especially in times of low water. Although no one can predict how much rain and snow will fall in the Cascades this winter, the Northwest has experienced six straight years of below average precipitation. So what can consumers do? They can contact their local utilities for advice on energy-saving programs funded by BPA. They can also go to the BPA Energy Efficiency Web site for tips at www.bpa.gov/Energy/N/energy_efforts Here they will find ways to use appliances, lighting, water, space heating and other home necessities more efficiently. Wright stressed that these programs work. Taking into account federal standards, state codes and appliance efficiency improvements in the last 25 years, the Northwest has saved cumulatively about 3,000 average megawatts - enough energy to serve nearly three cities the size of Seattle. Submitted for distribution on 10-13-2005 at 9:46 AM

Bonneville Power Administration, 905 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232 Mailing Address: Media Relations - DM7, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, OR 97208-3621 Phone: (503)230-5131 FAX: (503) 230-5884 Web Site: http://www.bpa.gov