Today, the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) officially opened the hearing process involving Tenaska’s application for an air quality permit for the Trailblazer Energy Center proposed near Sweetwater.

Tenaska previously asked that its permit application be referred directly to SOAH so that the contested case hearing that was being requested by national environmental organizations and some area residents could begin sooner. It continues to be very important for matters such as this to be resolved as expeditiously as possible so that Trailblazer can be constructed and brought on line as soon as possible. The Trailblazer Energy Center could have a significant role in U.S. efforts to combat global climate change and improve energy security.

The hearing was routine and only lasted a few hours. Many in attendance made affirming comments for the record including Sweetwater Mayor Greg Wortham, Nolan County Judge Tim Fambrough, Sweetwater Independent School District Superintendent Terry Pittman, Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce President Chris Casto and Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development Executive Director Ken Becker.

The contested case hearing is expected to be held in late spring or early summer, 2010, and last about two weeks. Because this is a legal proceeding, the next several months will be filled with discovery and depositions on the part of all parties, during which Tenaska and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will be providing proof that Trailblazer will generate clean energy and be safe for Nolan County residents.

We are confident that the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center will obtain its final air permit. Trailblazer will employ the most environmentally-responsible, state-of-the-art technology. It will also be designed to capture between 85 and 90 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise be emitted into the air.

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More information about the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center and illustrations for press use may be obtained at www.tenaskatrailblazer.com.

2010 Entries March 2010 • Tenaska, Arch Coal Team Up on Trailblazer Energy Center January 2010 • Tenaska Optimistic at 2009 Progress on Trailblazer Energy Center, Moves Forward 2009 Entries October 2009 • State Office of Administrative Hearings Holds Preliminary Hearing on Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center Air Quality Permit September 2009 • Air Quality Permitting Process Proceeds for Trailblazer Energy Center June 2009 • Trailblazer Energy Center Boosted By New Incentives May 2009 • Tenaska Representative Updates Sweetwater Rotary Club March 2009 • Tenaska Testifies on Texas Incentives for Carbon Capture Projects • BBC to feature Sweetwater, Trailblazer in News Series • TCEQ Holds Public Meeting in Sweetwater January 2009 • Trailblazer Energy Center Granted Tax Abatement 2008 Entries December 2008 • Sweetwater Industrial Foundation Urges Passage of Tenaska Abatement • Sweetwater City Commission Passes Resolution Supporting Trailblazer • SEED Board Supports Tenaska s Tax Abatement • Nolan County Commissioners Consider Property Tax Abatement • Study: Tenaska Trailblazer to Bring Economic Boost November 2008 • Tenaska Updates Congressman on Trailblazer Energy Center • Tenaska Featured at Sweetwater Shriners Meeting October 2008 • Tenaska Vice President Brings Trailblazer Project to Life for Texas Legislators • Texas Energy Companies Learn About Trailblazer Energy Center at Clean Carbon Summit • Trailblazer Project to Have No Negative Impact on West Texas Transmission Capability • Sweetwater Residents Welcome Tenaska at Sweetwater Chamber Banquet, Ask Questions September 2008 • Tenaska Purchases 505 Acres for Access to Proposed Trailblazer Site August 2008 • Tenaska Tests Soil at Trailblazer Site • Tenaska is Invested in Trailblazer Energy Center • Tenaska Developers Study Carbon Capture Technology in Japan July 2008 • Tenaska Establishes Community Relations Office • Tenaska Vice President Testifies Before Texas Senate Committee • Tenaska Sees Positive Responses to CO2 Open Season June 2008 • Sweetwater and Nolan County Officials Tour Trailblazer Site • Tenaska First in U.S. to Hold Bids for Coal Plant Carbon Dioxide • Tenaska Vice President Testifies Before Congress on Trailblazer May 2008 • Hold on to those resumes • ERCOT balances electric transmission needs in West Texas • Tenaska again ranks at the top of NRDC Benchmarking Emissions Study • Trailblazer Energy Center: An environmental leader April 2008 • Harris joins as Community Representative • Tenaska mentioned in Houston Chronicle editorial • Tenaska starts informational advertising series • Project development leader answers questions in Sweetwater March 2008 • Newspaper editorial praises Trailblazer Energy Center project • Project engineers explain project to their professional peers • Application for Permit Has Been Filed February 2008 • Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center Announced

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