Contacts: Heather Emmons, DRI PIO, heather.emmons@dri.edu, (775) 673-7313 Hilary Crowley, DRI GreenPower Coordinator, Hilary.Crowley@dri.edu, (702) 862-5409 Karen Foster, SPPC Community Relations Manager, kfoster@sppc.com, (775) 834-5683 Bonnie Saviers, WCSD PIO, bsaviers@washoe.k12.nv.us, (775) 348-0371

All DRI News Releases available at: http://news.dri.edu/

October 25, 2004

News Media Advisory: GreenPower solar and wind site unveiled at Mendive Middle School

Left picture: Mendive Middle School Technology Teacher Clint Monfalcone teaches a student about British Thermal Units, or BTUs, and their relationship to solar energy being generated real-time atop Mendive Middle School by its new solar electric installation. Right picture: The envirometer, which reflects the energy being produced real-time by the solar electric installation, is located in Mendive's Technology classroom and teaches students what it takes to run household items like refrigerators, televisions or computers.

Reporters and Editors, Please Note:

WHO: Desert Research Institute and Sierra Pacific Power Company

WHAT: Unveil new GreenPower solar electric installation at Lou Mendive Middle School

WHERE: 1900 Whitewood Drive, Sparks 89434

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 11:00 a.m.

HOW: Brief ceremony with students, faculty, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Congressman Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., DRI Research Foundation Trustee and Chair of the GreenPower Committee Jim Kropid and Sierra Pacific Resources CEO Walter Higgins III

VISUALS: Solar array, wind generator; student presentation about GreenPower; remarks by Sen. Reid, Congressman Gibbons and others

BACKGROUND: The Mendive Middle School installation marks the fifth GreenPower installation in the state. These GreenPower demonstration projects are aimed at helping students understand the benefits of alternative energy. As part of the GreenPower program, teachers instruct students about solar and wind energy, emphasizing the environmental impacts of using or not using renewable energy.

The result of the solar array and wind generator is enough power to run a small, efficient home. The school saves about $500 a year in energy costs.

The GreenPower program is a partnership between the Desert Research Institute, DRI's Research Foundation, Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power Companies. The program is supported by voluntary customer contributions made by customers of Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power Companies through their monthly utility bills. All contributions are 100 percent tax deductible.

A nonprofit, statewide division of the University and Community College System of Nevada, DRI pursues a full-time program of basic and applied environmental research on a local, national, and international scale. Nearly 400 full- and part-time scientists, technicians, and support staff conduct some 150 research projects at DRI annually. More than 80 percent of DRI's annual $37 million operating budget consists of research grants and contracts obtained by its scientists. The balance is received from the state of Nevada for administrative costs.

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