Bond Companies’ New Naperville Springbrook Prairie Pavilion Purchases Wind Power

Community Energy to provide Springbrook Prairie wind energy certificates as part of center’s “green” commitment and LEED Silver Certification effort

Chicago / Naperville, IL (August 28, 2008) -- Springbrook Prairie Pavilion, a 270,000 square foot commercial shopping development in Naperville, today announced it has made a multi-year commitment to purchase wind  generated Renewable Energy Certificates to apply to 100% of the center’s anticipated electricity demand.

Springbrook Prairie Pavilion has purchased 10 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of wind-generated Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from Community Energy, Inc. (CEI).  Compared to the average generation mix in the national electric grid, the estimated environmental benefits from this purchase are equal to offsetting more than 13 million pounds of carbon dioxide.  The carbon impact approximately equates to eliminating driving 15.5 million miles or planting of 5,500 acres of trees.

The investment in clean, safe and pollution-free wind energy through the purchase of the energy certificates also is consistent with the commitment of Springbrook Prairie’s new tenants, such as Whole Foods Market, which is one of the largest commercial purchasers of wind power in the U.S.  

Whole Foods (Nasdaq: WFMI), Road Runner Sports, Buffalo Wild Wings (Nasdaq: BWLD), Cost Plus World Market, Loehmann’s and Noodles & Company are the first six occupants operating in the center at 75th and Fort Hill Drive.  
“Springbrook Prairie Pavilion is more than just another typical suburban center.  The choices we have made with respect to environmental sustainability fit with our philosophy and that of the community’s,” said Robert J. Bond, President of Bond Companies.  “Renewable Energy Certificates tied to clean, homegrown wind energy supply is an important part of a strategic, stable energy future, so it was natural for one of our greenest developments to have the cleanest power.”

Wind energy is among the many sustainable features designed into Springbrook Prairie Pavilion, which is the first development in DuPage County to pursue LEED Silver Certification as recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Wind power currently powers the equivalent of more than 4.5 million homes in the U.S, with no fuel and zero emissions.  Wind projects accounted for about 30% of all new power generating capacity added in the U.S. in 2007, thanks to a record growth of 45%. 

A cooperative arrangement between CEI and the City of Naperville allows residential and business customers to voluntarily purchase clean, renewable wind RECs (information is available on www.naperville.il.us, the city’s website).  Naperville has enrolled 8.5% of all eligible participants, the sixth highest penetration of any green power program in the country.

In addition to the stores already open, other premier national and well known regional businesses which have signed lease commitments for the center being developed by Bond Companies along with its joint venture partner, MDC Properties of Hinsdale, Il., include Nordstrom Rack, Relax-the-Back, Bank of America and Chase Bank.  The tenant mix also will include Home Goods, Charles Ifergan, Fannie May Confections, Pizza Fusion and Two Bostons.
Springbrook Prairie Pavilion features a central plaza integrated into the design that add a new retail lifestyle experience, including use for events, programs and other gatherings.  Springbrook Prairie Pavilion also is designed as a pedestrian-friendly shopping center, with bike paths and sidewalks leading to the DuPage County Forest Preserve.

“Community Energy is pleased to partner with another Naperville business committed to a clean environment and energy security. As more organizations choose to follow Bond Companies’ lead and commit to renewable energy, more wind farms will be built -- an essential part of the climate change solution,” said Amy McGinty, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Community Energy. 
           
Bond Companies, with offices in Chicago, Los Angeles and Richmond, Va., has been developing and financing award winning, economically sound, mixed-use environments and retail projects since 1987.  The Company has a distinguished record of accomplishment in transforming properties -- be they ground-up construction or the renovation of existing structures --  into vibrant new communities offering a new generation of opportunities for those who live, work, study and / or simply visit these new centers of attraction.  Bond Companies, www.bondcompanies.com, applies its innovative vision to integrate the differing demands of multi-family residences with retail stores and offices along with hospitality and accommodation facilities.  All is done with the utmost concern for creating energy efficient, environmentally sustainable properties. 

Community Energy, Inc. (CEI) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBERDROLA RENEWABLES – the world’s leading provider of wind power with more than 8,000 MW of wind power in operation globally.  CEI cites its utility partners and customers as the reason for its success in expanding the national wind energy market. CEI’s affiliate, IBERDROLA RENEWABLES, Inc., has developed new wind projects throughout the US. For more information, please visit www.NewWindEnergy.com.

Whole Foods has made a major commitment to windy energy since 2003 when it purchased its initial credits from CEI.  In 2006, Whole Foods established a new benchmark when it purchased renewable energy credits from wind farms to offset 100% of the electricity used in all of its stores, facilities, bakehouses, distribution centers, regional offices and national headquarters in the U. S. and Canada.

The LEED Silver Certification is awarded by the USGBC, a Washington D.C.-based, nonprofit coalition. The organization promotes design and construction practices reduce the negative environmental impacts of buildings and thus improve occupant health and well-being. In the United States and in a number of other countries around the world, LEED certification is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability.

The LEED "green" building rating system offers four certification levels for new construction -- Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum – that correspond to the number of credits accrued in five green design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.
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Raymond Minkus
Minkus & Pearlman, Bond Companies
(224) 533-1030
rdm@minkuspr.com
 
Paul Copleman
Community Energy, Inc.
(484) 654-0106