News Release

CONTACT: Cristel Tufenkjian (559) 237-5567 ext. 118

May 23, 2008

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY POWER AUTHORITY APPOINTS NEW OFFICERS

FRESNO – At their May 22 board meeting, the San Joaquin Valley Power Authority appointed Ron Manfredi, director for Kerman, as the new chair of the San Joaquin Valley Power Authority Board. Robert Ford, director for Clovis, was appointed vice chair.

The San Joaquin Valley Power Authority has been formed by Kings County and 11 local cities - Clovis, Corcoran, Dinuba, Hanford, Kerman, Kingsburg, Lemoore, Parlier, Reedley, Sanger and Selma - to engage in regional energy planning and bring energy choice to residents and businesses in the central San Joaquin Valley.

Community Choice is a local energy program that will allow residents and businesses within the participating cities and county of the San Joaquin Valley Power Authority a choice to buy power from the Power Authority or from their current utility, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) or Southern California Edison (Edison).

"Educating the public about Community Choice is a top priority for our board," said Ron Manfredi, newly appointed chair of the San Joaquin Valley Power Authority. "Community Choice will give residents and businesses within our 12 municipalities the opportunity to choose for the first time who will provide them with electricity."

If a customer chooses to purchase power from the San Joaquin Valley Power Authority, PG&E or Edison would still deliver the electricity over their poles and wires. One of the benefits of purchasing power from the San Joaquin Valley Power Authority's Community Choice program would be a cost savings on the generation portion of the customer’s electric bill.

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