Avista Joins Chicago Climate Exchange - Company Commits To Reducing Carbon Footprint

Avista (NYSE: AVA) has become a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary, legally binding integrated greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry and trading system. The CCX allows participants to earn credits for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and trade the resulting financial instruments at market prices.

As part of its membership in CCX, Avista has voluntarily committed to achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions of six percent below baseline by 2010. The baseline is the average annual emissions from 1998-2001. CCX operates a cap-and-trade system, and members who exceed the targets have surplus allowances to sell or bank and those who have emissions above the targets must purchase CCX Carbon Financial Instrument contracts to achieve compliance. Third-party verification is provided by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which is the leading financial regulator in the United States.

“We must responsibly address activities that have potential impact to climate change. It is a concern for our company, our customers and our nation,” said Scott Morris, Avista president and chief operating officer. “By participating in CCX we will be able to gain experience in the emerging carbon trading market. We also expect benefits to accrue to the company and our customers as we participate in a constructive effort to address greenhouse gas emissions.”

"CCX is very pleased to welcome Avista to CCX membership and we look forward to their contribution to the evolution and growth of the Exchange,” said Dr. Richard L. Sandor, CEO and founder of CCX. "CCX Members are leaders in their sectors and regions, and also leaders in the effort to address the potential challenge of climate change in a way that is cost effective and transparent. Avista’s participation in CCX continues to highlight the fact that CCX membership makes excellent business and governance sense, while also providing a platform for sound action to protect our planet for ourselves and future generations."

Avista is one of the lowest emitters of GHG in the nation among electric utilities due to its substantial hydroelectric resource base. The company also has an ongoing commitment to environmentally friendly resources such as energy efficiency programs, wind and other renewables.

Avista has historically embraced renewable energy and energy efficiency practices. Since the late 1970’s Avista has offered dozens of energy efficiency programs to its customers including rebates and other incentives for conservation. Avista built the region’s first biomass generation facility at Kettle Falls in the 1980’s. Avista has made wind power available to customers through the Buck-A-Block program initiated in 2002.

CCX has members nationwide including major manufacturing companies, utilities, governmental entities and universities. Northwest regional entities that have joined CCX include the University of Idaho, Puget Sound Energy, King County, Wash. and Portland, Oregon.

More information about CCX can be found at this link: http://www.chicagoclimatex.com/