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Portland, OR. The Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc., is adding natural gas and solar energy to its
portfolio of energy efficiency programs and incentives for Oregon customers of Pacific Power,
Portland General Electric and NW Natural.

The new programs provide more convenient ways for residential customers and business
owners to save money and energy. NW Natural residential customers became eligible for added
incentives and expanded programs on July 1, 2003. Solar electric and hot water programs
started in May.

It only make sense to look at the complete resource picture for each customer, said Margie
Harris, Executive Director of the Energy Trust. By working with the Energy Trust, the utilities
are making possible for the first time a one-stop source for energy-saving programs that save
money and make homes and businesses more efficient and comfortable.

Cash incentives are now available for insulation, duct sealing and thermal windows in homes
with gas or electric heat. Incentives for gas customers are actually higher than those previously
offered. Funding comes from a small public purpose charge on monthly gas bills that reflects the
amount NW Natural has historically spent on energy efficiency programs, plus a small additional
amount for Energy Trust enhanced services and incentives.

Since March 2002, energy conservation programs through the Energy Trust have saved 15.2
average megawatts of electricity. Renewable resource projects approved to date will produce an
additional 14.7 average megawatts.

Incentives make solar energy affordable for homeowners, businesses

The Energy Trust is offering substantial financial incentives and support for solar energy
installations. Although cost had previously been a barrier to installing solar systems, the
combination of Energy Trust incentives and Oregon state energy tax credits cuts the system
cost by as much as 40 percent. Quality assurance measures ensure long-lasting, high-quality
installations. The Energy Trust expects to achieve a 50 percent increase in the number of solar
electric systems in Oregon within a year.
Solar energy is one of the most abundant and yet least tapped renewable resources in Oregon,
said Harris. Despite popular belief, Oregon has excellent solar resources. In much of the state, the
annual solar resource is 20-30% higher than
average, she said. The Energy Trust offers up to $7,000 for homeowners and up to $20,000 for
businesses for approved systems. Once installed, solar electric systems can save 15 percent or more
on a monthly power bill.

Through a state law requiring net metering, solar energy generated but not consumed at the
system site is passed back to the local utility and used to supplement the local power supply. The
value of the unused power is then credited back to the owner, causing the gas or electric meter to
actually run backward.

A homeowner can save about $150 per year by replacing an electric hot water heater with a solar
system. Savings for replacing gas water heaters are somewhat less. For an average residential system,
the Energy Trust incentive is about $750. The state tax credit for a similar system averages an
additional $1,500. Oregon customers of the three utilities are eligible for this program, including
new and existing homes, office and community buildings, farms and municipal facilities.

Energy efficiency for diverse uses

The Energy Trust has assembled a qualified group of Oregon contractors and service providers to
implement a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs in local
areas. Part of our mission is to provide benefits to the customers of all three utilities, so we look
for programs that meet the needs of Oregonians in every part of the state, said Harris. We offer
thorough evaluations and inspections to make sure the systems installed under these programs are
of the highest quality and greatest possible reliability.

The Energy Trust started rolling out programs in 2003 and now offers separate programs for
existing single family, multifamily and manufactured homes (Home Energy Savings), existing and
new commercial buildings of all types (Building Efficiency and New Building Efficiency), and
manufacturing sites, including agriculture (Production Efficiency).

Wind energy
In June, the Energy Trust signed its first wind deal to bring 41 megawatts of clean wind power online
by the end of 2003. The Eurus Combine Hills project, located just outside of Milton-Freewater,
Oregon, is made possible by a $3.8 million payment from the Energy Trust. This figure represents
the above-market costs of the wind power. PacifiCorp will purchase the power under that
companys first direct, long-term power purchase contract from an Oregon project.

For more information and the latest news about the Energy Trust, visit the website at
www.energytrust.org, or call 1-866-368-7878.

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