WASHINGTON, DC; April 18, 2000: In a first for the utility industry, the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) today announced the three initial companies to meet or beat national Accreditation standards for environmental and consumer protection, with their green energy programs. Wisconsin Electric's Energy for Tomorrow™ program, the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA)Green Power SwitchSM and Madison, Gas & Electric's MGE Wind Power were recognized at the National Press Club, for collaborative work with local consumer and environmental protection groups on offering high quality green energy programs to their customers.
The programs are accredited by the CRS Green Pricing Accreditation Initiative and are available to over three million customers in regulated markets served by the three companies. The programs gained national Accreditation status by meeting or exceeding a series of stringent guidelines that include the use of renewable resources, appropriate product pricing and marketing, and customer education. Accredited utility programs also undergo an annual independent verification process to document that they have delivered promised green power to their customers.

"The Green Pricing Accreditation Initiative is part of efforts by consumer and environmental protection groups across the country to help use the power of customer choice to promote renewable energy and protect the environment," said Jan Hamrin, CRS Executive Director.

Wisconsin features two of the first three programs to gain Accreditation. "Consumers want to help drive the development of renewable resources in the Midwest, and we believe Accreditation is a good way to ensure customers get the renewables they are promised" said Michael Vickerman, Executive Director of Renew Wisconsin.

"The Accreditation earned by the Energy for Tomorrow™ program means our customers can choose renewable energy with even greater confidence that their personal decision will help our environment today and preserve it for the generations that follow," said Richard A. Abdoo, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin Electric Power Company. "Receiving Accreditation for this program from the Green Pricing Accreditation Initiative further confirms our commitment to offering customers a high-quality, renewable energy option," said Gary J. Wolter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Madison Gas & Electric Company.

TVA's Accredited program, Green Power SwitchSM, represents the first significant new renewables development in the Southeast. "This program is the first serious green power program in the South -- with Accreditation, we will help build consumer confidence and increase customer participation in this important effort," said Stephen Smith, Executive Director of the Southern Clean Energy Alliance.

"TVA and the eleven local power companies participating in the Green Power SwitchSM market test are pleased to offer the first green power program of its kind in the South. We are confident that Green Power SwitchSM will be enthusiastically supported by consumers in the Tennessee Valley and look forward to expanding our offering Valleywide in the next few years," said Susan Ross, TVA's Green Power Program Manager.

The Accreditation criteria were first established through a national collaboration among environmental, consumer, and clean energy groups. Criteria were applied through a local process in which consumer and environmental protection organizations worked directly with utilities in their respective regions. More information on the Green Pricing Accreditation Initiative and its standards is available at www.resource-solutions.org. Information on the individual green energy programs is available at www.wisconsinelectric.com, www.mge.com, and www.tva.gov.

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