**\'Largest Ever\' Wind Power Commitment Sets Clean Energy Example For
Nation**

In a ceremony today attended by several hundred Federal government
employees, Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson announced the largest
ever commitment to purchase electricity generated by the wind. Federal
government agencies along with the Colorado Front Range have committed
to the purchase of electricity from 10 megawatts of wind turbines
through Public Service Co. of Colorado\'s Windsource program, and
through other local utilities\' wind energy programs, over the next
several years.

The Denver Federal Executive Board (DFEB), a group composed of the heads
of government agencies in the Denver area, organized the purchase by
soliciting agencies to participate in the Windsource program. DOE\'s
Golden Field Office, Denver Regional Office and National Renewable
Energy Laboratory; the U.S.

General Services Administration; and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency supported DFEB in the effort. Public Service Co. became a partner
in the purchase by agreeing to pursue expansion of its wind energy
generation facility over the next several years to meet the demand.

\"The increasing use of renewable energy sources such as wind power
holds the promise of reducing our nation\'s reliance on fossil fuels,
thus enhancing our national security and protecting the environment,\"
said Secretary Richardson. \"Federal agencies in Colorado are setting an
example for the rest of the nation.\"

Accompanying Richardson in making the announcement was Colorado Rep.
Mark Udall, whose district includes many of the agencies participating
in the program. The agencies will pay a small premium for each 100
kilowatt/hours of electricity. To help offset the additional cost, the
agencies will work through DOE\'s Federal Energy Management Program and
with Public Service Co. to improve energy efficiency in the agency\'s
facilities and use the savings to purchase the wind power.

\"We\'re delighted to be working with the federal facilities in Colorado
to help them meet their commitment to wind energy,\" said Chuck Fuller,
vice president of generation and thermal energy for New Century
Energies, Public Service Co.\'s parent company. \"Colorado has truly
taken a leadership role in making wind power a commercial success,
demonstrating a bright future and strong market for renewable energy in
this country.\"

Begun in 1997, Public Service Company\'s Windsource program is the
largest, customer-driven wind energy program in the country, with more
than 15,000 subscribers. Wind power for the program currently comes from
the company\'s Ponnequin Wind Facility, located in Northern Colorado.
The facility has 29 turbines, capable of producing up to 20 megawatts of
electricity. Public Service Co. is in the midst of regulatory
proceedings with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to determine
specific expansion plans for additional wind resources for this federal
purchase as well as for other customers.

Last week, Secretary Richardson directed the Energy Department to
purchase a portion of its electricity from renewable energy sources. The
department will buy 3 percent of its total electricity needs from
non-hydro renewable energy sources by 2005, and 7.5 percent of its total
electricity purchases from green power by 2010.

The department is the first federal agency to make a department-wide
commitment to purchase its electricity from green power sources. Green
power is electricity produced from non-hydro renewable energy sources,
such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.

Today\'s announcement also supports the department\'s Wind Powering
America goals calling for federal purchase of wind-generated power. All
of these wind-related activities are significant steps in responding to
President Clinton\'s call for greening the environment.

For more information contact:

Christopher Powers, DOE, 303-275-4742

Media Relations, Public Svc. Co., 303-294-8900