For Immediate Release

ALAMEDA POWER & TELECOM CELEBRATES EARTH DAY EVERY DAY WITH ONGOING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

ALAMEDA, Calif., April 18, 2003 - Earth Day is based on the simple philosophy that ordinary people, acting together, can achieve extraordinary things. More than any other single event, Earth Day has helped to remind all of us of the need to take care of the world we live in.

In honor of Earth Day 2003, Alameda Power & Telecom, a department of the City of Alameda, is renewing its commitment to the principles of environmental responsibility, from using earth-friendly renewable power sources to finding new ways to encourage energy efficiency and wise energy use.

With 80 percent of the utility's power coming from clean, renewable resources, Alameda Power & Telecom employs environmentally sound practices that already surpass state goals for 2017. Across the state, only an average 12 percent of the total electricity generated now comes from renewable resources. Alamedans enjoy the benefits of environmentally clean energy more than most California communities. Unlike green-power programs offered by other utilities, Alameda Power & Telecom's customers do not pay more to receive this renewable power.

According to Junona Jonas, general manager of Alameda Power & Telecom, the municipally owned utility has a long-standing policy of using non-fossil- fuel sources for electric power. Alameda Power & Telecom derives approximately half of its power through the use of geothermal power- generating facilities. Another quarter of the electricity is obtained from hydroelectric sources, which eliminates the burning of fossil fuels and air pollution.

"Even though a very high percentage of our power currently comes from renewable sources, we continue to look for ways to expand our use of clean power sources," Jonas says. "One such example is our planning for future energy sources to meet the community's electric-power needs. The city is exploring a number of generating options, including the use of new technology that converts municipal waste into power with minimal environmental impact.

She continues, "In 2001, consumers across the state experienced power disruptions. To avoid blackouts in Alameda, we acquired four emergency generators. Last year we converted these generators to run on bio-diesel fuels, which supports our endeavor of maintaining a high level of clean power."

Educating Future Generations

In addition to its environmentally friendly initiatives, the utility also promotes the use of solar and geothermal energy as alternative power sources and prides itself on the way it is ensuring electricity for future generations.

One of the utility's major goals is changing energy-use habits and educating people about energy efficiency and renewable energy. Alameda Power & Telecom has created several energy-education programs targeted to all age groups within the local community.

Most recently, in early 2003, Alameda Power & Telecom added geothermal education to its school-based education initiative. Working with the California Geothermal Education Office, the utility began developing and providing classroom presentations in science classes at Chipman Middle School about geothermal energy, where it occurs and how it works. A similar program was put into place at Otis Elementary School. The semester education programs culminate in May when the Chipman Middle School students will tour Alameda Power & Telecom's geothermal plant for a first-hand look at geothermal power.

Another such program was the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Lincoln Middle School in the spring of 2002. Made possible by funds from Alameda Power & Telecom's Clean Future Fund and its Public Benefits Program, the installation of the solar PV system brought together a semester of related educational activities engaging local students, their parents and their teachers in learning about renewable resources. The solar PV system is still in use in the classroom and serves as a permanent teaching tool for the school and the community.

"This demonstration project at Lincoln Middle School was designed to help young people learn about how the sun's energy can be converted to electricity," says Meredith Owens, energy management supervisor for Alameda Power & Telecom. "In addition to providing our children with new information in a hands-on manner, it has helped build awareness in the community regarding renewable energy sources."

Alameda Power &Telecom also has a history of finding fun, kid-friendly ways to educate elementary school students, such as the original Make*A*Circus performance called "Sky Juice" that it commissioned in 2001. The video presentation provides the students with a creative introduction to renewable energy sources and is just one example of the utility's fresh approach to community education.

Something for Everyone

Alameda Power & Telecom's energy education program isn't limited to the classroom. For the past three years, the utility has offered its customers free trips to the Northern California Power Association's geothermal power plants just north of Calistoga, California. These free trips, which have received a tremendous community response, provide Alamedans with a first-hand look at the geothermal plants and steam fields that produce clean electric power for the community, and also help to ensure its reliability.

Alameda's Earth Day

The local celebration of Earth Day will be held on Saturday, April 26 at Washington Park, on the corner of Central and Eighth Avenues in Alameda. Alameda Power & Telecom - in conjunction with other city departments - is sponsoring "Planet Alameda," an event featuring unusual forms of transportation, organics and clean water, as well as entertainment, food and prizes. Ten vendor pavilions will highlight such friendly subjects as recycled products, healthy bodies and sustainable living. For more information about "Planet Alameda," please call the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department at (510) 748-4565.