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Desert Claim revision projected to deliver

more for electricity, environment, economy


• Reduce existing residences within 2,500 feet of a turbine by 75%
• Fulfill state mandate for renewable power – for 57,000 homes
• Contribute new jobs, income & tax revenues to local economy

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Power for 57,000 homes, more distance between turbines and
residences, and a major contribution to Kittitas County’s economy.

That’s the future’s triple benefit projected from enXco’s revised layout for its Desert
Claim wind farm, said David Steeb, project director. A revised application with the
layout should be delivered to the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC)
by early February, he said. Desert Claim is located on 5,200 acres about 8 miles
northwest of Ellensburg.

“Our revised layout should support a project that will bring substantial benefits to Kittitas
County and Washington state,” said Steeb. “While these are estimates, they provide a
good sense of the magnitude of the project’s benefits.”

The revised layout’s benefits are projected to be substantial.

More power. Under the revision, the wind farm would have 95 turbines with 190
megawatts of capacity. That’s enough to generate power for 57,000 homes. The previous
layout had 90 turbines and 180 megawatts.

Residences farther from turbines. The revision features a 75 percent reduction in the
number of residences located within 2,500 feet of a wind turbine. That’s important, Steeb
said, because Kittitas County Community Development Services had stated a desire for a
2,500-foot setback in discussions with enXco in 2007.

The new layout has only seven nonparticipating residences within 2,500 feet of a turbine,
compared with 29 previously. The closest nonparticipating residence is now 1,687 feet
from a turbine. That is beyond the distance required by EFSEC for another wind project
last year.
New jobs, income, tax revenues. Desert Claim would contribute significant economic
benefits to Kittitas County and Washington state, according to a draft study by Central
Washington University professors.

The study estimates that the project could generate up to $3.6 million in workers’ payroll
during construction and as much as $970,000 annually once it is in operation.

The project could create up to 160 new jobs during construction in the first year, and up
to 26 new jobs after it’s in operation, according to the study’s estimates. Roughly half of
those totals would be directly employed on the project. The other half would be
additional full and part-time jobs that are indirectly supported.

The study estimated property tax revenues at more than $900,000 annually for local
schools, fire and other public services. The total for Ellensburg School District could be
nearly $340,000. Kittitas County Fire District No. 2 could receive more than $210,000.
Kittitas County’s total could be more than $315,000 for police, roads and other public
services.

enXco currently projects its total investment to complete Desert Claim at more than $330
million. The study’s tax projections are based on an estimated property valuation of $155
million for Desert Claim after it’s completed.

The state’s schools could receive up to $775,000 annually, according to the study’s
estimates. The total would come from the state Department of Natural Resources lease
payments and state schools property taxes.

Location saves in transmission costs


Desert Claim’s location continues to be one of the state’s most advantageous for a wind
farm. It is located in a transmission corridor, with several major transmission lines
crossing the site. Shorter distances to transmission lines reduce power-line costs passed
on to ratepayers.

Last year enXco completed the Goodnoe Hills wind farm, a 94-megawatt project in
Klickitat County.

About enXco, an EDF EN Company:


enXco (www.enxco.com) - an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company (www.edf-
energies.nouvelles.com) develops, constructs, operates and manages
renewable energy projects throughout the United States. For more than two
decades, we have been a leader in wind-energy focusing on large-scale
wind projects. Today enXco’s portfolio includes solar and biomass
technologies, in an effort to help drive our nation’s transition to a sustainable
energy economy. enXco is a significant owner and developer of wind-energy
installations in the United States, and is the largest third-party operations &
maintenance provider for wind farms in North America.

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