National Renewables Cooperative Members Purchase MISO Wind Energy

CARMEL, Ind., July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Three generation and transmission
cooperatives announced the purchase of 40 megawatts of wind energy from the
Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, which is under development east of Paxton, IL. The
three member-owned G&Ts, Prairie Power, Inc., Southern Illinois Power
Cooperative and Wabash Valley Power Association are entering into an 18-year
power purchase agreement with E.ON Climate & Renewable North America, Inc. The
agreement was coordinated through the National Renewables Cooperative
Organization (NRCO), which was formed to promote and facilitate the development
of economically viable renewable energy resources for its member cooperatives
across the United States.

Amadou Fall, CEO of NRCO, praised the three member G&Ts as examples of the
cooperative principles that guide the organizations. “In keeping with the NRCO
model, these cooperatives have come together to leverage buying power on behalf
of their customers. This project is yet another example of how NRCO helps its
members interact in the marketplace for the benefit of all.”

Rick Coons, CEO of Wabash Valley Power, said the purchase agreement illustrates
the commitment made by electric cooperatives to provide affordable, reliable
energy while continuing to support alternative fuel sources. “Working with NRCO
has facilitated our ability to find alternative energy projects that meet the
economic standards we’ve established,” explained Coons. “We are committed to
expanding our alternative energy resources, but we have to do so in a manner
that is still affordable for the co-op members who count on us. NRCO has vastly
assisted our ability to meet those goals.”

Jay Bartlett, CEO of Prairie Power, said the state’s cooperatives have taken a
conservative but long term approach to renewable energy. He said, “The
cooperatives are purchasing both the energy and renewable energy credits (RECs)
produced by this project over a long period of time. This provides the renewable
energy system developers like E.ON with a steady source of revenue to finance
the construction of additional renewable energy projects in Illinois. We believe
this is very good for our co-op members, the environment and wind energy
development in Illinois. We are looking for cost effective projects, like the
Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, that ensure positive long term environmental and
economic benefits, and assist us in maintaining affordable and stable rates.”

Scott Ramsey, CEO of Southern Illinois Power Cooperative, said the G&T was one
of the founding members of the National Renewables Cooperative Organization and
has been looking for several years for the right partner and the right renewable
energy contract. “E.ON is a solid and reputable company that has global wind
energy development and operational experience. They were in a position to offer
us a competitively priced renewable energy contract. After doing the necessary
due diligence we determined that now is the time and this is the contract that
we have been looking for.”

The project is expected to create 200 construction jobs, ten full time jobs, and
more than $1.6 million in tax revenue to support the local county and school
system.

About the National Renewables Cooperative Organization

Cooperatives across the country formed the National Renewables Cooperative
Organization (NRCO) to promote and facilitate the development of renewable
energy resources for its members. NRCO’s main purposes are to facilitate the
cost-effective, joint development of renewable resources nationwide for its
cooperative owners. Contact: Katie Shults, 317-344-7906, katie.shults@nrco.coop,
www.nrco.coop.

About the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives

Based in Springfield, the AIEC provides legal, engineering, communications,
safety training, legislative and other services to 25 electric distribution
cooperatives and four generation and transmission cooperatives. AIEC member
cooperatives serve more than 279,334 farms, homes and businesses in 90 counties,
with 55,592 miles of line. Contact: Duane Noland, 217-529-5561,
dnoland@aiec.coop, www.aiec.coop.

About Prairie Power, Inc.

Prairie Power, Inc. (PPI) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric generation
and transmission cooperative, which produces and supplies wholesale electricity
to 10 electric distribution cooperatives in central Illinois. PPI’s distribution
cooperatives provide retail electric service to approximately 78,000 consumers
within their local service territories. Contact Jay Bartlett, 217-245-6161,
jbartlett@ppi.coop, www.ppi.coop.

About Southern Illinois Power Cooperative

Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC) is a member-owned, not-for-profit
electric generation and transmission cooperative serving seven distribution
cooperatives and two municipals in southern Illinois. SIPC’s distribution
cooperatives provide retail electric service to approximately 82,000 consumers
in 29 counties. Contact: Scott Ramsey, 618-964-1448, sramsey@sipower.org,
www.sipower.org.

About Wabash Valley Power Association

Wabash Valley Power Association (WVPA) is a generation and transmission (G&T)
cooperative based in Indianapolis. The G&T provides wholesale electricity to 28
distribution systems in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio.
Collectively, these distribution cooperatives supply electricity to more than
380,000 homes, farms, businesses and industries. Contact: Sabrina Kapp,
317-481-2800, sabrinak@wvpa.com, www.wvpa.com.

About E.ON Climate & Renewables

E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) is responsible for the E.ON group’s renewable
energy and environmental protection activities around the world. Tapping
renewable energy sources offers enormous alternatives, both from a business
perspective and for the environment. E.ON Climate & Renewables will be investing
4 billion euros in renewable energy and environmental protection projects from
2010 – 2013 to expand the share of renewable energy in E.ON’s generation
capacity portfolio for the long term. E.ON has thus taken a leading role in
developing renewable energy sources worldwide. Contact: Matt Tulis,
512-482-4026, matt.tulis@eon.com, www.Eon.Com/Renewables.

SOURCE National Renewables Cooperative Organization