NJR Clean Energy Ventures Announces New 48 Megawatt Onshore Wind Project

WALL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

NJR Clean Energy Ventures (NJRCEV), the unregulated distributed power subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NJR), today announced the acquisition of its third onshore wind project. The Alexander Wind Farm will be located on 7,000 acres of land in Rush County, Kansas, approximately 120 miles northwest of Wichita. NJRCEV will invest approximately $85 million to construct, own and operate the wind farm with a total capacity of 48 megawatts. NJRCEV's expected in-service date is fall of 2015.

“With the Alexander Wind Farm, NJR Clean Energy Ventures continues to successfully execute its distributed power strategic plan,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of New Jersey Resources. “As renewable energy becomes an increasingly larger and important part of our nation's energy future, we will continue to look for investment opportunities that strengthen our distributed power portfolio, are consistent with our core values of quality service and environmental stewardship, reduce our reliance on investment tax credits from solar investments and benefit our Company and shareowners.”

NJRCEV acquired the shovel-ready Alexander Wind Farm from OwnEnergy, Inc., a developer of midsize and community wind projects. It is the third and largest wind farm project NJRCEV purchased from OwnEnergy. The first was the Montana-based Two Dot Wind Farm, placed in service in June 2014. NJRCEV expects to place the second project, the Carroll Area Wind Farm, located in Iowa, in service by spring of 2015.

The energy produced at the Alexander Wind Farm, as well as the renewable attributes, will be sold through power purchase agreements (PPA) to two separate customers. The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (KCBPU) has signed a 20-year PPA for approximately 50 percent of the energy. The KCBPU currently serves approximately 65,000 electric and 59,000 water customers in Wyandotte County, Kansas. The remaining energy will be purchased through a 15-year PPA by Yahoo!, Inc., the global Internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. Yahoo will use the wind power to offset much of its energy usage in the Great Plains region.

Additionally, NJRCEV expects the wind farm will qualify for federal production tax credits (PTCs), which are based on kilowatt-hour output. All PTCs generated by the Alexander Wind Farm will be retained by NJR.

NJRCEV invests in, owns and operates distributed power projects that generate clean energy and provide low-carbon energy solutions. These solutions benefit its customers, while providing growth opportunities for shareholders. To date, NJRCEV's approach has focused on commercial and residential solar project development in New Jersey and expanded to include onshore wind projects in the Midwestern United States.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. NJR cautions readers that the assumptions forming the basis for forward-looking statements include many factors that are beyond NJR's ability to control or estimate precisely, such as estimates of future market conditions and the behavior of other market participants. Words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “should” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking information and such forward-looking statements are made based upon management's current expectations and beliefs as of this date concerning future developments and their potential effect upon NJR. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with management's expectations or that the effect of future developments on NJR will be those anticipated by management. Forward-looking information in this filing includes, but is not limited to, certain statements regarding the size of NJRCEV's investment in the Alexander Wind Farm, estimates regarding the capacity and date of completion of the Alexander Wind Farm and Carroll Area Wind Farm, NJRCEV's qualification for PTCs related to Alexander Wind Farm, and the diversification of NJR's distributed power portfolio.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations include, but are not limited to, weather and economic conditions; the ability to obtain governmental approvals and/or financing for the construction, development and operation of certain non-regulated energy investments; risks associated with our investments in renewable energy projects and our investment in an onshore wind developer, including the availability of regulatory and tax incentives, logistical risks and potential delays related to construction, permitting, regulatory approvals and electric grid interconnection, and NJR's eligibility for PTCs. NJR does not, by including this paragraph, assume any obligation to review or revise any particular forward-looking statement referenced herein in light of future events. More detailed information about these factors is set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in NJR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including its most recent Form 10-K, filed on November 26, 2013.

About New Jersey Resources

New Jersey Resources NJR is a Fortune 1000 company that provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services, including transportation, distribution and asset management. With annual revenues in excess of $2 billion, NJR is comprised of five key businesses:

• New Jersey Natural Gas is NJR's principal subsidiary that operates and maintains 7,000 miles of natural gas transportation and distribution infrastructure to serve approximately half a million customers in New Jersey's Monmouth, Ocean and parts of Morris and Middlesex counties.
• NJR Clean Energy Ventures invests in, owns and operates solar and onshore wind projects with a total capacity in excess of 93 megawatts, providing residential and commercial customers with low-carbon solutions.
• NJR Energy Services manages a diversified portfolio of natural gas transportation and storage assets and provides physical natural gas services and customized energy solutions to its customers across North America.
• NJR Midstream serves customers from local distributors and producers to electric generators and wholesale marketers through its equity ownership in a natural gas storage facility and a transportation pipeline, both of which are Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC-regulated investments.
• NJR Home Services provides heating, central air conditioning, standby generators, solar and other indoor and outdoor comfort products to residential homes and businesses throughout New Jersey and serves approximately 120,000 service contract customers.

NJR and its more than 900 employees are committed to helping customers save energy and money by promoting conservation and encouraging efficiency through Conserve to Preserve^® and initiatives such as The SAVEGREEN Project^® and The Sunlight Advantage^®.

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