International Coal Group, Inc. (NYSE: ICO) today announced that its ICG Beckley subsidiary received West Virginia's highest honor for environmental excellence in coal mining.

The coveted Greenlands Award was presented to ICG Beckley's Beckley-Pocahontas underground mine complex in Raleigh County, West Virginia, for overall outstanding environmental stewardship in 2009 by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) at the 37th Annual West Virginia Coal Mining Symposium.

At an awards ceremony held today in Charleston, West Virginia, state officials praised the ICG Beckley mining operation for its many community and environmental projects in the Eccles, West Virginia area. Among the practices leading to the recognition, ICG Beckley has constructed and paved new roads and bridges, improved a local memorial cemetery, installed drainage control measures and pump systems to control rain runoff, voluntarily reclaimed an old abandoned coal refuse site, completed noise reduction projects and established a Community Advisory Panel to facilitate communications with local residents and community leaders.

"The Greenlands Award reflects the ongoing commitment by International Coal Group and our ICG Beckley employees to environmental stewardship and to being a good neighbor in the Eccles community," said Ben Hatfield, ICG's President and CEO.  "We are proud that our employees have taken those values to heart and put them into action on the ground."

Additionally, the WVDEP once again honored ICG Eastern's Birch River surface mine in Webster County, West Virginia - this year with an award for its innovative handling and disposal of coal refuse.  "ICG Eastern continues its tradition of award-winning practices in operating with a unique sensitivity to its environment," Hatfield noted.  "Our employees there continue to raise the bar for other ICG subsidiaries and the industry as a whole in environmental compliance and land restoration methods."

ICG is a leading producer of coal in Northern and Central Appalachia and the Illinois Basin.  The Company has 13 active mining complexes, of which 12 are located in Northern and Central Appalachia and one in Central Illinois.  ICG's mining operations and reserves are strategically located to serve utility, metallurgical and industrial customers domestically and internationally.

SOURCE International Coal Group, Inc.

More new wind power capacity was installed in the EU in 2009 than any other electricity-generating technology, new statistics published today by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) reveal. 39% of all new capacity installed in 2009 was wind power, followed by gas (26%) and solar photovoltaics (16%). Europe decommissioned more coal and nuclear capacity than it installed in 2009. Taken together, renewable energy technologies account for 61% of new power generating capacity in 2009.

Investment in new European wind farms in 2009 reached EUR13 billion, including EUR1.5 billion offshore. 10,163 MW of wind power capacity was installed across the European Union - a 23% increase compared to 2008 installations - made up of 9,581 MW onshore (up 21% from last year) and 582 MW offshore (up 56% from last year).

2009 is the second year running that more wind power capacity has been installed than any other electricity-generating technology, and wind's share of newly installed capacity increased from 35% in 2008 to 39% in 2009. It is also the second year running that renewable energies have accounted for the majority of new investments.

"It is a remarkable result in a difficult year" said Christian Kjaer, CEO of EWEA. "The figures, once again, confirm that wind power, together with other renewable energy technologies and a shift from coal to gas, are delivering massive European carbon reductions, while creating much needed economic activity and new jobs for Europe's citizens."

The countries with the biggest share of new capacity installed in 2009 were Spain (24% - 2459 MW), followed by Germany (19% - 1917 MW), Italy (11% - 1114 MW), France (11% - 1088 MW) and the UK (10% - 1077 MW).

Wind power's total capacity in the European Union has now reached 74,767 MW, up from 64,719 MW by the end of 2008 with Germany remaining the EU country with the largest installed capacity, followed by Spain, Italy, France and the UK.

The wind capacity installed by the end of 2009 will in a normal year produce 163 TWh of electricity, meeting 4.8% of total EU power demand[1].

Commenting on prospects for 2010, Kjaer added: "I am quite optimistic about the medium-term outlook for wind power in Europe, but project finance is still tight and it is clear that more orders must be announced in the coming months for the sector to repeat the 10 GW installed this year."

Please click here to download the pdf with the full analysis of the data.

http://www.ewea.org/fileadmin/emag/statistics/2009generalstats

---------------------------------

[1] According to the latest figure from Eurostat, final electricity consumption in the EU-27 was 3,372 TWh in 2007.

SOURCE EWEA - European Wind Energy Association

 The U.S. Demand Response Coordinating Committee (DRCC) today announced that a National Town Meeting on Demand Response and Smart Grid will be held in Washington, DC, on June 23-24.

The DRCC announced that, among other areas, the National Town Meeting would be focused on implementing the National Action Plan on Demand Response and Smart Grid required by Congress in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). FERC is presently developing the Plan and the Act calls for FERC and DOE to work together to implement it.  Another focus area, according to the DRCC, will be a review of progress on the DOE smart grid grant programs.

The National Town Meeting is a non-profit event known for featuring a large number of roundtable sessions where all of the latest business and policy developments are discussed and debated.  No other event brings together all parts of the DR & Smart Grid community--utilities, policymakers, technology companies, ISOs and stakeholders--and puts them all in the same room if not at the same table to talk about customer acceptance, cybersecurity, interoperability and other important issues.

At the National Town Meeting held in Washington last year, over 400 members of the demand response and smart grid community came together to hear from such keynote speakers as Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA) of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman of FERC; Garry Brown, Chairman of the NYS Public Service Commission; top leaders from DOE and EPA; and Executives from smart grid companies like Google and Microsoft as well as utilities like Ameren, PG&E, National Grid and Southern California Edison. Close to 50 different utilities and state commissions were represented by at least one attendee and some had multiple participants.

The 2010 National Town Meeting--the 7th to be held--will also be focused on information sharing and dissemination, and it will feature multiple tracks of presentations on case studies, program deployments, and technology demonstrations.

Dan Delurey, Executive Director of the DRCC, said, "The 2010 National Town Meeting on Demand Response and Smart Grid promises to continue to be the national forum for bringing together the DR & Smart Grid community so they can share experiences and learn from each other.  In addition to all of the key issues to discuss, this year will be particularly important as FERC will have just completed its National Action Plan on Demand Response and sent it to Congress.  The National Town Meeting will be the first opportunity to talk about how to put the Plan into action.  We hope all members of the community will attend and help in that effort."

Registration for the 2010 National Town Meeting on Demand Response and Smart Grid opens on March 15, 2010. More information on the upcoming as well as on past National Town Meetings can be found here: www.smartgridtownmeeting.com.

The DRCC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the development and exchange of information and expertise about demand response and smart grid. Its members include Ameren, American Electric Power, Arizona Public Service, DTE Energy, ISO New England, Landis+Gyr, Midwest ISO, National Grid, NYSERDA, Pacific Gas & Electric, PJM Interconnection, Progress Energy, Salt River Project, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, Southern Company, Tennessee Valley Authority, Viridity Energy and Wal-Mart. More information on the DRCC can be found at www.demandresponsecommittee.org.

The DRCC is the sponsor of the 2010 National Town Meeting on Demand Response and Smart Grid, to be held in Washington, DC, on June 23-24.  For more information, go to www.smartgridtownmeeting.com.

SOURCE Demand Response Coordinating Committee

As a fast-moving winter storm produces bitter, gusting Arctic air and snow in portions of the Midwest, South, and East this week , consumers could get an unwelcome surprise when they open their winter home energy bills.

Heating accounts for 31 percent of the typical home's energy costs, notes the Alliance to Save Energy which suggests a number of helpful winter energy efficiency tips to bring heating and related energy costs and use down while maintaining home comfort.

Two smart tips can reduce your heating costs by up to 20 percent:

• Plug those air leaks. Your heating dollars could be going out your windows, doors, and electrical outlets. Stop all those air leaks with sealant or caulking and weather stripping.
• Install appropriate insulation for your climate based on R-values. Start with attic insulation, followed by exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces. Insulate and seal attic air ducts.

The Alliance urges consumers to act now on these energy-saving measures since Uncle Sam is offering a 30 percent tax credit--a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your income taxes owed--of up to $1,500 in 2010 for specific energy efficiency home improvements, including insulation and sealing products. Details on qualifying products, which also include highly efficient furnaces, heat pumps, and windows, are available at www.ase.org/taxcredits.

In addition to plugging air leaks, the Alliance also offers other no-cost/low-cost tips:

• Open curtains and other window treatments on your west- and south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night.
• Let a programmable thermostat "remember for you" to lower the heat while your home is empty and/or overnight to reduce heating costs by up to 10 percent - and allow you to come home and wake up to a toasty, comfortable house.
• Keep furnace filters clean. Check and change your filter every month during heavy use winter months to assist air flow so your system doesn't have to work harder to keep you warm.
• Seal your heating and cooling ducts. In a typical house with a forced air system, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. Sealing and insulating ducts increases efficiency, lowers home energy bills, and can often pay for itself in energy savings. Insulate ducts in unheated areas such as attics, crawlspaces, and garages with duct insulation that carries an R-value of 6 or higher. Also, a well-designed and sealed duct system may make it possible to downsize to a smaller, less costly heating and cooling system that will provide better dehumidification.
• Properly maintain your HVAC system. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a semi-annual or yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. The federal government's ENERGY STAR website can help you find a qualified individual (www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_contractors_10tips).

Other home energy efficiency improvement tips that are eligible for tax credits:

• Have to replace your HVAC equipment? Consider installing ENERGY STAR-qualified heating and cooling equipment. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs. And, certain highly efficient models qualify for the current federal income tax credit.
• Go "window shopping" at www.efficientwindows.org to discover how high-performance windows can cut heating costs by as much as 30 percent compared to single-pane windows, while increasing indoor comfort and lessening fading of home furnishings.

Watch for rebates this year on energy-efficient products:

• Replacing or purchasing energy-using and energy-related products? Save up to 30 percent in related energy bills with products earning the ENERGY STAR label, the symbol of energy efficiency, on some 50 product categories, including appliances, electronics, windows, lighting, and home office equipment. Rebates may be offered by your state, municipality, energy company, manufacturers, and retailers in your area.

 

SOURCE Alliance to Save Energy

Williams (NYSE: WMB) announced today that its Transco natural gas pipeline system - a major natural gas artery serving the northeastern and southeastern United States - has established a peak-day delivery record of 9.25 million dekatherms.

The record-breaking deliveries occurred on Jan. 3, 2010. The new peak-day mark surpasses the previous high of 8.91 million dekatherms that was established on Feb. 5, 2009. This represents enough natural gas to serve the energy needs of more than 40 million U.S. homes on an average day.

The company also established a new three-day delivery record Jan. 2-4, averaging 9 million dekatherms per day.

"This was a tremendous team effort that allowed us to quickly respond to our customers' needs," said Phil Wright, president of Williams' natural gas pipeline business. "The majority of our market area experienced colder than normal temperatures, and our employees did a great job of responding to significant increases in demand."

The Transco pipeline is a 10,500-mile pipeline system which extends from South Texas to New York.

Source: Williams

A low-carbon future can be possible if policy makers and industry leaders shift their focus from green energy to clean energy, according a new whitepaper from Dr. Joseph A. Stanislaw, a senior advisor to Deloitte and founder of the advisory firm The JAStanislaw Group, LLC. Stanislaw is also co-founder and former president and CEO of Cambridge Energy Research Associates.

In his whitepaper, "Clean Over Green: Striking a New Energy Balance as We Build a Bridge to a Low-Carbon Future," Stanislaw explains that the "all-consuming global obsession with anything green has subsided" and stresses that energy decision makers should "move from breathless anticipation of a green dawn, to the more sober work of systematically and thoughtfully building toward a low-carbon future."

According to Stanislaw, this means pursuing energy options that are clean, not simply renewable and green. Implicit in this is the idea that oil, natural gas and coal have the potential to be clean. "The principle goal of policymakers should be to establish a level playing field that makes it easier to identify the cleanest fuels producible at the lowest cost, while also reducing energy use through efficiency and other technologies," said Stanislaw.

In the paper, Stanislaw stresses that now is a good time to shift from green to clean because we are "in the midst of creating a new development model that allows for industry leaders and policymakers to simultaneously promote economic growth and fight climate change."

Stanislaw further recommends a series of potential changes in how we think about energy, including the following:

• Policymakers could establish a predictable price for carbon emissions to unleash greater efforts at conservation, efficiency and demand reduction -- leading to a cleaner future. Stanislaw feels that an enlightened and fair policy framework is intrinsic to this effort.

• The current schism between the old and new energy industries -- wherein the green evangelists mock the traditional fuels and the oil and gas crowd reciprocate -- should end. This transformation also could be led by policymakers who admit there is no silver bullet in our common effort to build a low-carbon future. All energy forms, provided they can meet standards for being clean and cost-effective, should be able to compete for market share and funding.

• The marginalization of natural gas, which the United States has in increasing abundance, should be an area of focused attention. This relatively clean fuel is desperately sought after by nearly every country, yet somehow the U.S. considers it a lesser fuel. Natural gas could be treated equally with other fuels in the climate change bills currently being debated in Congress.

• The oil and gas industries could do their part by committing to developing carbon-neutral technology. The top goal could be to produce ever-cleaner oil, natural gas and coal. Within a generation, we could well be talking about clean oil, clean natural gas and clean coal.

Stanislaw concludes his whitepaper by explaining that "there will probably be more money spent in the energy sector in a broad sense in the next 50 years than has been invested in the past 100 years, if not in the history of mankind. Channeling these investments well, into an era of clean energy, is the challenge that policymakers, the private sector and the public all face together. The bridge to tomorrow's energy future depends on a sensible transition plan -- one that takes advantage of all of the clean fuel sources available to us."

To download the whitepaper, visit www.deloitte.com/us/newenergybalance.

About the Deloitte Center for Energy Solutions:

The Deloitte Center for Energy Solutions (Center) provides a forum for innovation, thought leadership, groundbreaking research and industry collaboration to solve the most complex energy challenges. Through the Center, Deloitte's Energy & Resources group leads the debate on critical topics on the minds of executives -- from legislative and regulatory policy to operational efficiency to sustainable and profitable growth. The Center provides complete solutions to Deloitte's clients through a global network of specialists and thought leaders. With locations in Houston and Washington, D.C., the Center offers interaction through seminars, roundtables and other forms of engagement, where established and growing companies can come together to learn, discuss and debate. For more information, see www.deloitte.com/energysolutions.

SOURCE Deloitte

Results released today from a detailed economic study show that China may cut carbon emissions deeply and minimise the adverse effects on its economy over the next 40 years. The report, Going Clean: the economics of China's low-carbon development, by the Chinese Economists 50 Forum and Stockholm Environment Institute, says that emission reductions up to 2050 can be made for example through:

    - Energy efficiency gains through improved building design, standards for
      electrical appliances and the use of less energy-intensive materials

    - A massive shift towards the use of renewable energy such as wind and
      solar energy, municipal solid waste and biomass, and small hydropower

    - Electric vehicles for road transport

    - Using Carbon Capture and Storage technology in new coal-fired power
      plants

    - A better international cooperation mechanism that can channel more
      finance and technologies from developed countries

The report by Chinese, Swedish, German, British and American experts says that these changes would also present opportunities for China to improve its energy security and move its economy higher up the international value chain.

"A low-carbon China is a country with a larger service sector, more advanced labour skills and less environmental degradation," said Dr FAN Gang, Director of the National Economic Research Institute in China, who led the research in China. "Such a transition would also be an essential part of China's development."

China is currently one of the 10 most carbon-intensive economies in the world, meaning that it has a high carbon footprint in relation to the level of economic activity. "Avoiding dangerous climate change requires the world to act together to cut global emissions. Developed countries are largely responsible for the past build up in global green house gas emissions but future responsibility is shared by developed and developing countries alike," said Lord Nicholas Stern, report author and Professor at the London School of Economics. "This important report demonstrates that China can take strong and decisive action to reduce its carbon emissions, whilst continuing its economic growth and delivering a prosperous and a harmonious society for its people."

"China will be one of the countries most adversely affected by dangerous climate change. Avoiding dangerous climate change is in the best interest of China," said Professor Ottmar Edenhofer, report author, deputy director and chief economist of the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research. "The study demonstrates that China can combine a high economic growth path with ambitious emission reductions. This is the reason why China has the potential to become a role model for other economies in transition."

Going Clean recommends a phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies and for carbon to be priced more highly, either through a carbon tax or a global cap-and-trade system. "With today's low prices, the incentives for a low-carbon transition are not strong enough. But this can change," said Dr Fan Gang. The report shows that it is technologically feasible for China to reach a 2 degrees pathway and estimates that the savings from lower energy use and other efficiencies will partly offset the costs of transformation. "High-income countries account for a vast majority of global emissions to date and need to shoulder this responsibility through financial support to developing countries," said Professor Johan Rockstrom, Executive Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute. "To make this a reality, Going Clean proposes a new international finance mechanism - the Inter-country Joint Mitigation Plan - as a broader and more efficient way of financing technology transfers."

"Consumption and production patterns also need to be steered in a more resource- sustainable direction," said Klas Eklund, report author and Senior Economist at the Nordic bank SEB. "As the world's most populous country and the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China's role is critical in combating global climate change. Thus, effective economic tools to curb emissions are necessary."

The shift to a low-carbon economy will hit coal-fired power and some heavy industries, but will also create new 'green jobs'. In the first half of 2009, China built more wind turbines than the US. Low-carbon transport is growing - there are currently over 50 million electric bikes and motorcycles in the country, and China is now leading the mass production of electric hybrid cars.

"Even in these difficult economic times, climate change action may present more opportunities than costs," said Professor Johan Rockstrom. "Such a transformation, for China and the rest of the world, will not be easy. But it is possible, necessary and worthwhile to pursue."

The Chinese 50 Economists Forum is a Beijing-based grouping of Chinese economists for collaborative research and public discussion of China's economy. The Stockholm Environment Institute is an independent, non-profit research organization bridging science and policy for sustainable development.

    - Going Clean - The Economics of China's Low-Carbon Development will be
      launched in Beijing on 8 December 2009, 12:00 at the Raffles Beijing
      Hotel.

    - The report can be downloaded from http://www.sei-international.org

SOURCE Stockholm Environment Institute and the Chinese Economists 50 Forum

One of the Largest University Biomass Installations Part of Program to Reduce Utility Costs and Carbon Footprint

EIU will finance the improvements and use the savings, guaranteed by Honeywell through a 20-year performance contract, to pay for the work. As a result, the program will not place a burden on the university's budget, or require additional taxpayer dollars or student fees.

The upgrades will impact all facilities on the 320-acre campus, and significantly curb the university's energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. For example, they will reduce electricity consumption by an estimated 6.2 million kilowatt-hours per year -- enough energy to power more than 580 homes annually. Carbon dioxide emissions will also decrease by nearly 20,000 metric tons each year. According to figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this is equivalent to removing more than 3,600 cars from the road.

"Like many universities, our list of needs across campus is much larger than the financial resources available," said Bill Perry, president of Eastern Illinois University. "This program allows us to make critical improvements and keep our facilities comfortable and functional for years to come. Plus, we're able to reduce our carbon footprint at the same time. It's an ideal solution for the university and surrounding community."

The focal point of the program is the construction of a new steam plant on the southeast corner of campus that will be driven by two large biomass gasifiers, the first application of this technology in the region. The plant will use wood chips sourced from the local logging industry to generate steam and heat buildings on campus. And it will replace the university's aging steam plant, which is inconveniently located in the center of campus, consumes more than 10,000 tons of coal per year and requires constant maintenance.

Through biomass gasification, the wood chips are heated in an airtight, oxygen-deprived chamber until they break down to create a synthetic gas that burns similar to natural gas. The gas is then used to fire the boilers, giving the university a carbon-neutral solution for heating its facilities. As a result, all of the steam heating load for the university will be met through a renewable resource.

EIU chose the biomass system based on input from the Honeywell Renewable Energy Scorecard, a first-of-its-kind selection tool that analyzes location-specific details to pinpoint the technology with the most significant environmental and economic drivers.

As part of the new plant, Honeywell will also install a small turbine that uses excess steam
to produce electricity. The turbine is expected to generate more than 2.9 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, reducing the amount of energy the university purchases from the grid and providing another environmentally friendly energy source.

Additional conservation measures include:

• Retrocommissioning all mechanical systems on campus to ensure efficient operation;
• Constructing a new high-voltage switch yard to consolidate two intake points for electricity, which will lower the university's utility rates.
• Updating the chilled water system to provide more flexibility in determining which chillers to use for its cooling needs;
• Replacing windows at five residence halls with double-pane insulating glass;
• Upgrading lighting fixtures and installing occupancy sensors throughout campus to help reduce energy use;
• Retrofitting plumbing systems to conserve water use;
• And sealing building envelopes to prevent the loss of warm and cool air.
  

Honeywell will also provide ongoing commissioning, and measurement and verification as part of the contract. The upgrades are expected to be complete by end of 2012.

"Using renewable energy not only delivers environmental benefits, it can also generate economic payback," said Paul Orzeske, president of Honeywell Building Solutions. "Through guaranteed energy savings, organizations like Eastern Illinois University can make investments in their facility infrastructure and reduce carbon dioxide emissions without impacting the bottom line." 

This release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Honeywell

Iron Creek Capital Corp. (TSX-V: IRN) is pleased to report the drilling results from the Vaquillas Prospect which is part of the Victoria Joint Venture with Hochschild Mining Holdings Ltd. ("Hochschild"). Hochschild completed 14 holes for a total of 3,869 meters. These results together with drilling results from Mena Resources Inc. (2005) and Minera Rayrock (1994) suggest that the Vaquillas Prospect has potential for high-grade gold/silver veins, as well as bulk-tonnage low-grade gold/silver mineralization.

Vaquillas Prospect Overview

The Vaquillas Prospect is a structurally controlled gold/silver system hosted within andesitic lavas flows, tuffs and rhyolitic volcanic breccias centered on the old Vaquillas silver mine. The Vaquillas Prospect is located in a 2.5 km long x 1 km wide dilational jog between the Vaquillas and Cenizas fault segments of the Domeyko fault zone. The Vaquillas fault system appears to be the main control for the mineralization which strikes north-northwest and dips back to west. In addition, west-trending and northwest-trending crosscutting faults and veins appear to be an important control for high-grade mineralization observed in some of the drill holes.

Summary of Results

Recent drilling confirms continuity of disseminated gold silver mineralization. Drill hole VVQRC09013 was inclined to the west and believed to have been drilled down the plunge of the mineralization from 0 to 273 meters. The drill hole was mineralized from the top of the hole to the bottom and has an average grade of 1.0 g/t Au and 16.0 g/t Ag, including an interval of 16 m of 3.1 g/t Au and 35.0 g/t Ag from 184m to 200 m. In 2005, Mena drilled VQ009 (inclined to the east and on the same section as Hochschild drill hole VVQRC09013) which cut the main mineralizing structure intercepting 94 meters of 0.6 g/t Au and 19.1 g/t Ag.

Hochschild drill holes VVQRC09001 through VVQRC09006 intercepted broad zones of strongly anomalous gold and silver mineralization (from surface to approximately 250 meters) with values ranging from 0.1 gram per tonne (g/t) to in excess of 1 g/t gold. Examples of these broad, strongly anomalous zones include VVQRC09001 grading 0.32 g/t over 77 meters, VVQRC09002 grading 0.41 g/t over 105 meters, VVQRC09003 grading 0.55 g/t over 46 meters and 0.45 g/t over 86 meters, and VVQRC09004 grading 0.55 over 100 meters.

Additionally, Hochschild drill holes intersected high-grade gold veins within the lower grade material. Highlight results include 4 meters at 3.3 g/t Au and 580.5 g/t Ag (VVQRC09002); 2 meters at 19.4 g/t Au and 39.0 g/t Ag (VVQRC09003); 1 meter at 4.9 g/t Au and 60.9 g/t Ag (VVQRC09005); and 1 meter at 7.6 g/t Au (VVQRC09012) Continuity of these veins was not part of this first pass drilling.

The following table summarizes the Hochschild and Mena (2005) VQ009 results:

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Drill Hole      Map       From   To       Interval    Au      Ag    Au Eq
                    #        (m)   (m)        (m)    (g/t)   (g/t)    (g/t)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09001       H1        208   209          1      4.3       -       -
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               213   220          7      1.2    17.7    1.52
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09002       H2        195   216         21      1.1   128.5    3.44
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                204   208          4      3.3   580.5   13.85
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09003       H3         74    76          2      2.2    17.7    2.52
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               110   112          2     19.4    39.0   20.11
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               188   189          1      3.4    21.2    3.79
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09004       H4        122   128          6      1.1    10.9    1.30
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               132   151         19      1.0     5.9    1.11
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               169   178          9      1.3     5.1    1.39
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09005       H5         40    41          1      4.9    60.9    6.01
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09006       H6         43    47          4      0.9    22.2    1.30
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                59    64          5      0.8    11.4    1.01
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                85    88          3      1.5    50.2    2.41
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09007       H7         30    34          4      1.4    64.7    2.58
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09008       H8         98   105          7      1.0     1.6    1.03
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09009       H9         15    24          9      1.0     1.2    1.02
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                95    96          1      3.9     2.3    3.93
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09010      H10  No significant results
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09011      H11  No significant results
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09012      H12         23    24          1      7.6     0.2     7.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09013      H13          0   273        273      1.0    16.1    1.29
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                  0    20         20      1.0     2.9    1.05
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                 56   106         50      1.2    30.9    1.76
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                119   127          8      0.7     7.2    0.80
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                134   140          6      1.6    33.8    2.21
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                156   165          9      1.3    25.8    1.77
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Including                167   273        106      1.4    19.8    1.76
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VVQRC09014      H14  No significant results
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VQ009            M9         82   176         94      0.6    19.1    0.95
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                 88    90          2      1.2    32.1    1.78
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                108   110          2      0.7   186.0    4.11
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                130   132          2      1.4     8.6    1.56
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                162   164          2      1.1    11.1    1.30
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      including                172   174          2      1.7     5.8    1.81
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: Silver equivalency estimates were derived using a silver-to-gold
    ratio of 55:1. The widths reported are the length of the drill core
    intersection as the true orientation of the mineralization has not been
    established.

Drill holes VVQRC09013 and VQ009 confirm that the mineralized zone is over 90 meters wide and extends to a depth of at least 250 meters. Drilling by Hochschild and Mena also shows that mineralization extends for over 1000 meters along strike. The zone is open at depth as well as to the south-southwest. Several of the higher grade intercepts appear to coincide with west-northwest cross-cutting structures identified from the ground magnetic survey. The potential exists to extend the target areas along strike of these structures. Based on these encouraging results, Hochschild executed a second phase of drilling that was completed on November 14th totaling 2,490 meters in 9 holes. Complete drill results are expected by year end.

Included with this release is a map of all the drill holes completed at the Vaquillas Prospect as well as a cross section. For purposes of simplifying the map and cross section, all Hochschild holes have been labeled as H1, H2 etc and all Mena Holes have been labeled as M1, M2, etc. The map, cross section and a list of the drill results will be posted on the Company's website at www.ironcreekcapital.com. For additional information on Vaquillas and all the work completed prior to the Hochschild JV, please refer to NI43-101 report which can be found on SEDAR as well as on our website.

Hochschild Joint Venture

Hochschild has the option to acquire a 60% interest in the Victoria Project, by incurring US$6.0 million in exploration expenditures by December 31, 2013. Of the $6.0 million, Hochschild has a firm commitment to incur $750,000 by December 31, 2009 (which they have completed).

QA/QC Program

The Vaquillas Program is managed by Hochschild. Terra Service SA, an independent drilling contractor, was used to complete the drilling program. Hochschild's samples were collected in accordance with accepted industry standards and best practices. The samples were submitted to ACME Laboratories in Santiago, Chile, for analysis. As standard procedure, Hochschild conducts routine quality-assurance and quality-control analysis on all assay results, including the systematic utilization of certified reference materials, blanks and field duplicates.

About Vaquillas Property

The Vaquillas Property covers approximately 45,000 hectares (including the Victoria JV with Hochschild) and is prospective for copper and precious metal mineralization. The Company is currently looking for a joint venture partner for the southern portion of Vaquillas (referred to as Vaquillas Sur) which is prospective for copper mineralization and bulk-tonnage, low-grade gold mineralization.

Qualified Person: Demetrius Pohl, P. Geo., is the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and is responsible for the accuracy of the technical information in this press release.

    ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

       "Michael Winn"
    Michael Winn, President

         Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry
       Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the
                     adequacy or accuracy of this release

                          Forward-Looking Statement
                          -------------------------

Some of the statements in this news release contain forward-looking information that involves inherent risk and uncertainty affecting the business of Iron Creek Capital Corp. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

SOURCE Iron Creek Capital Corp.

An indirect wholly-owned pipeline subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) and NextEra US Gas Assets, LLC, an affiliate of FPL Group, Inc. (NYSE: FPL), today announced that they have signed a joint development agreement to explore the construction of a pipeline in north Louisiana to transport natural gas from the expanding Haynesville Shale area. An upcoming open season will be held to gauge market interest in the proposed new pipeline.

The capacity of the potential new pipeline would be up to 2.0 billion cubic feet per day and would connect Haynesville Shale natural gas production to markets in north Louisiana and CenterPoint Energy's Perryville Hub.

"Gas production in north Louisiana, including the rapidly developing Haynesville Shale, remains robust and we are committed to finding a solution to assist producers with Haynesville and north Louisiana acreage to create another pipeline option for their production," said Greg Harper, senior vice president and group president of CenterPoint Energy's Pipeline Group.

Larry Wall, president of NextEra US Gas Assets, LLC, said, "We believe there is a tremendous need to enhance the existing infrastructure in the rapidly expanding Haynesville Shale area. We are pleased to be partnering on this project with CenterPoint Energy, a company with a proven track record of executing expansion projects in this area."

The specific facilities required will be a function of the location and volume commitment of potential shippers. Final pricing will be based on the facility costs, the level of firm commitments and the amount of interest indicated in accessing specific markets. It is expected that long-term pipeline capacity commitments will be necessary to complete this project.

Assuming adequate expressions of interest are received and management approval from both companies, a joint venture entity will be formed that would execute binding precedent agreements and seek necessary regulatory approvals to place the pipeline into service as quickly as possible. Each company would own an equal equity interest in the new pipeline. CenterPoint Energy's pipeline group would design and oversee construction, and ultimately operate the new pipeline.

CenterPoint Energy Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes forward-looking statements. Actual events and results may differ materially from those projected. The statements in this news release regarding future financial performance and results of operations and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect actual results include the timing and outcome of appeals from the true-up proceedings, the timing and impact of future regulatory, legislative, and IRS decisions, effects of competition, weather variations, changes in CenterPoint Energy's or its subsidiaries' business plans, financial market conditions, the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas, the impact of unplanned facility outages, and other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's and its subsidiaries' Forms 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, CenterPoint Energy's and its subsidiaries' Forms 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2009, and June 30, 2009, CenterPoint Energy's Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2009, and other filings with the SEC.

FPL Group Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically express or involve discussion as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance and often can be identified by the use of words such as "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," and similar terms.

Although FPL Group, Inc. (FPL Group) believes that its expectations are reasonable, because forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, it can give no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will prove to be correct, including FPL Group's expectations with respect to the joint development agreement executed with CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the "Joint Development Agreement") and the potential pipeline construction project (the "Pipeline Project"). Important factors could cause FPL Group's actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements in this press release. Factors that could have a significant impact on FPL Group's operations and financial results, and could cause FPL Group's actual results or outcomes, both generally and specifically with respect to the Joint Development Agreement and the Pipeline Project, to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among others:

• Inability to reach agreement on the formation and operation of a joint venture entity to construct and own the Pipeline Project
• Inability to execute precedent agreements and other long-term commitments in connection with the Pipeline Project
• Inability to complete construction of, or capital improvements to, the Pipeline Project or other FPL Group power generation facilities
• Inability to obtain the required rights, regulatory approvals and permits for the construction and operation of the Pipeline Project
• Inability to obtain the supplies necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Pipeline Project or other FPL Group power generation facilities
• Changes in laws, regulations, governmental policies and regulatory actions regarding the energy and natural gas industries and environmental matters
• Inability of FPL Group to access capital markets or maintain its credit rating
• Inability to hire and retain skilled labor for the construction and operation of the Pipeline Project, or other changes or disruptions related to FPL Group's workforce
• Lack of natural gas production from the Haynesville Shale area
• General economic conditions
• Hazards customary to the operation and maintenance of pipelines and power generation facilities, including unanticipated outages
• Unusual or adverse weather conditions, including natural disasters
• Volatility in the price of natural gas or energy
• Failure of FPL Group customers to perform under contracts
• Increased competition in the power and natural gas industries
• Changes in the wholesale power and natural gas markets
• Costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings
• Terrorism or other catastrophic events
  

These foregoing factors should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect FPL Group's future results included in FPL Group's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

FPL Group undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances, including unanticipated events, after the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of facts, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.