Montana Power Plant will meet the Oregon Standard for CO2 Emissions

ARCHIVED 2002–2016: Originally distributed via the eWire press wire service. Preserved as historical record.

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE |

Corporate Responsibility

Science & Technology

Syndication Partners

**************************************************************************

E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE

**************************************************************************

Montana Power Plant will meet the Oregon Standard for CO2 Emissions

PORTLAND, OREGON, Apr. 19 -/E-Wire/-- The Climate Trust announced today that it will receive $500,000 to purchase greenhouse gas offsets on behalf of Montana-based Basin Creek Power and the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC). The purchase will be the first offset transaction emanating from the Big Sky state and a benchmark for small and large firms alike seeking positive solutions to the challenge of global warming.

"We are proud of this project and what it will do for Montana's energy needs, and we like The Climate Trust's model," Jim Williams said, CEO of Basin Creek. "They match a global problem with real solutions and will work with us and MEIC on finding good projects."

The offset funds will be used to acquire carbon dioxide (CO2) offsets according to The Climate Trust's application of the Oregon Standard for CO2 emissions, one of the most stringent GHG standards for power plants in the country. The offsets will count against the CO2 emissions of Basin Creek Power's 55 MW natural gas facility in Butte, Montana.

The Butte plant will be "dispatchable", enhancing power reliability, decreasing transmission-related energy losses, and supporting further wind resource development in the state. Efficient gas generation combined with wind will be cost-effective for consumers, in addition to the environmental benefits they provide.

At the recommendation of MEIC, Basin Creek agreed to meet the CO2 standard established under Oregon lawâcurrently the most restrictive in the U.S. With offset funding from Basin Creek, The Climate Trust will select, contract, and manage projects that will offset the power plants emissions.

"Basin Creek is showing real leadership and foresight here," said Michael Ashford of The Climate Trust. "They are showing that we can do something now about global warming, and we can do it in a way that supports innovation and growth."

"Basin Creek Power understands environmental stewardship," said Pat Judge of MEIC. "They said they wanted to address environmental concerns of their plant, and with offset purchases from The Climate Trust, they are one-step ahead of the competition."

Basin Creek Power joins the growing list of participants in the Climate Trust's Large Emitter Offset Acquisition Programâa business friendly program for power plants and other large entities to offset greenhouse gas emissions with the expertise and experience of The Climate Trust's ongoing offset acquisitions.

The sole mission of the Climate Trust is to promote climate change solutions by providing high quality greenhouse gas offset projects and advancing sound offset policy. As part of its strategic plan, The Climate Trust provides offsets to: power plants, regulators, businesses and entities of all sizes, and individuals. Through partnership and understanding, The Climate Trust has offset more than 1.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from $4 million invested into offset projects â making them of the largest and most experienced offset buyers in the U.S. and world markets.

The Montana Environmental Information Center is a member-supported statewide advocacy and public education organization. It was founded by concerned Montanans in 1973 to protect and restore Montana's natural environment.

Since 2001, the Basin Creek has worked closely with MEIC to respond to environmental concerns over greenhouse gas emissions and to demonstrate the specific role the project will play in the region's power supply portfolio.

The Basin Creek power plant will enhance power reliability, decrease transmission-related energy losses, and play an important role in helping incorporate wind resources into the current energy system. Because wind is intermittent, its output needs to be combined with other generating resources to produce a constant product to meet actual loads. When the wind is blowing, Basin Creek can be scaled back saving the local utility and its customers natural gas costs. Conversely, when the wind dies down, Basin Creek can increase its output. The combination of these two resources will be very cost-effective for consumers, in addition to the environmental benefits they provide.

Further information about The Climate Trust is available at www.climatetrust.org.

[REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://www.climatetrust.org

**************************************************************************

To Transmit Your News Over E-Wire, visit http://www.ewire.com or

call 1-[REDACTED-PHONE]. E-Wire Is Broadcast To Millions Of Readers Worldwide

**************************************************************************