FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bob Fullerton

Feb. 11, 1998 (303)275-2700, fullerton@wapa.gov

Western names Sierra Nevada regional manager

GOLDEN, Colo.—Jerry Toenyes was named Western Area Power Administration's Sierra Nevada regional manager today by Acting Administrator Mike Hacskaylo. "It gives me great pleasure to name Jerry to this position. He brings a great deal of experience in the California market and in our Sierra Nevada Region to this job," Hacskaylo said.

Toenyes has served in a number of positions at the Sierra Nevada Region including power marketing manager, 1990 to 1993, deputy area manager, 1993 to 1995 and operations manager since 1995. He served as acting regional manager during the past six months while a permanent replacement for Jim Feider, who retired in August 1997, was sought.

Toenyes graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor's degree in agricultural business and economics. He began his Federal career with the Bureau of Reclamation in 1972 and transferred to Western in 1980. Toenyes currently serves on the board of governors for the California Independent System Operator—the corporation taking over operation of California's interconnected electric grid this spring.

Western is a part of the U.S. Department of Energy. It annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of power from Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hydorelectric powerplants in 15 central and western states. Western sells about 40 percent of regional hydroelectric generation.

Based in Folsom, Calif., the Sierra Nevada Region markets more than 1,800 MW of power from the Central Valley and Washoe projects. These 11 powerplants serve the yearly electrical needs of more than 1.5 million people. Sierra Nevada delivers this power to cities and towns, rural electric cooperatives, Federal and state agencies, and public utility and irrigation districts in northern California and northern Nevada.

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