SAN FRANCISCO, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern) today announced that its Spring Valley Wind project has settled a lawsuit by reaching an agreement, together with the Bureau of Land Management, the Center for Biological Diversity and Western Watersheds Project. The settlement was accepted by the Federal District court in Nevada on March 29, 2012, and the lawsuit was dismissed.

"We believe this positive settlement underscores Pattern's commitment to being one of the leaders in minimizing environmental and cultural impacts from its wind farms," said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern.  "We are starting to see that all renewable energy projects, no matter how well-planned, are being questioned. We are pleased to be able to reach agreement with the concerned parties. The settlement should give more confidence to these concerned parties and the community that the project is well designed. We look forward to completing construction of the project and creating history by providing the great state of Nevada with its first homegrown source of clean wind energy."  

Construction of Spring Valley Wind – the first wind power project in Nevada – is currently underway and expected to be completed in July. The project is creating approximately 225 jobs during the construction phase and will create 13 full-time permanent positions once operational. The 150 megawatt (MW) project will have the capacity to power 45,000 local homes each year with zero emissions. Spring Valley Wind will use 66 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines and will connect to an existing 230 kilovolt transmission line.

The project is expected to generate more than $20 million in tax revenue for White Pine County and the state of Nevada's Renewable Energy Fund over the next 20 years. Pattern has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with NV Energy for the sale of energy produced by the project.

Spring Valley Wind will be Pattern's fourth operating wind project in North America and is one of a number of wind power projects that Pattern expects to bring into operation this year.

About Pattern
Pattern Energy Group LP is an independent, fully-integrated energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates renewable energy and transmission assets in the United States, Canada and Latin America.  With a long history in wind energy, Pattern's highly-experienced team of scientists, engineers, construction experts, and legal and financial professionals has developed, financed and placed into operation more than 2,500 MW of wind power projects. Pattern is strongly committed to promoting environmental stewardship and is dedicated to working closely with landowners and communities to create premier renewable energy projects. Currently operating 520 MW of wind energy in North America, Pattern has 250 MW of wind projects in construction and expects to begin construction of an additional 1,400 MW over the next 12 months. The Company's full development pipeline exceeds 4,000 MW of renewable energy and transmission projects.  Pattern has offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Houston, New York, and Toronto. For more information, please visit www.patternenergy.com.

Contact:

Matt Dallas
Pattern Energy
917-363-1333
matt.dallas@patternenergy.com  

SOURCE Pattern Energy Group LP