Hawaiian Blessing Sets Stage for Transformation of Coal-Fired Plant to Bioenergy Facility

       Upgrade Work Underway on 24 Megawatt Renewable Energy Project



    PEPEEKEO, Hawaii, Aug. 20 /EMWNews/ -- U.S. Senator Daniel

Akaka and U.S. Representatives Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono helped

launch Hawaii's newest renewable energy project at a Hawaiian blessing

ceremomy for the Hu Honua Bioenergy Facility in the community of Pepeekeo,

on the Big Island's Hamakua Coast. Financed, operated and majority-owned by

MMA Renewable Ventures, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC

("MuniMae," Pink Sheets: MMAB.PK), the 24 megawatt (MW) power station will

convert locally grown biomass into electricity, supporting the state's

aggressive renewable energy targets. The carbon-neutral power plant also

supports economic development and energy independence within the island

state, which relies on imported fossil fuels for 90 percent of its energy

needs.



    Local support of the project is overwhelming. Local union leader

Rickard Baker, division director of ILWU 142 Hawaii, reported over 95% of

the area's residents approached have signed a petition in support of

converting the power plant into a biomass-to-energy facility.



    In addition to the members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation,

remarks in support of the project were delivered by State Representative

Dwight Takamine and Jane Testa, Hawaii County's director of research and

development.



    "Like its name, which means 'to come out of the earth,' Hu Honua turns

to the land to effectively and sustainably meet Hawaii's power needs," said

Dan KenKnight, director of Hu Honua BioEnergy LLC. "Projects like the Hu

Honua Bioenergy Facility play an important role in shifting Hawaii's energy

mix away from imported petroleum toward renewable sources. Our partners at

MMA Renewable Ventures bring to the project the management and operational

expertise needed to ensure that Hu Honua continues delivering reliable

clean energy for decades to come."



    Supplying energy directly to the regional utility grid, Hu Honua will

deliver enough electricity to power approximately 18,000 homes on the Big

Island, or between 7 and 10 percent of the island's total energy needs.

Employing plant materials that otherwise go unused, the power plant will

stimulate the local agricultural industry and prevent tens of thousands of

tons of green waste from taking up scarce space in Hawaii County's

landfills each year. The project is also expected to create hundreds of

local jobs.



    "By its very nature, renewable energy can deliver benefits that are not

only local but also global by reducing pollutants that contribute to global

warming. As project partner on Hu Honua, we are collaborating with many

stakeholders to ensure this project benefits the community, the economy,

and the environment," said Matt Cheney, CEO of MMA Renewable Ventures. "We

are proud to be entering the bioenergy market with this investment in

Hawaii's clean energy future."



    Hu Honua marks the first bioenergy project in MMA Renewable Ventures'

growing portfolio of solar, wind, bioenergy and energy efficiency projects.

Since 2002, MMA Renewable Ventures has developed more than 40 MW of clean

energy generation, including North America's largest photovoltaic system at

Nellis Air Force Base.

    About MMA Renewable Ventures



    A wholly-owned subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC

("MuniMae," OTC: MMAB.PK), MMA Renewable Ventures finances, owns and

operates renewable energy and energy efficiency assets in the United

States. The Company provides leases, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and

other customized financial solutions to help its customers manage energy

costs. MMA Renewable Ventures is dedicated to delivering competitively

priced, clean energy and energy savings to customers, strong partnership

options for project developers, and exceptional opportunities for

institutional investment in the clean energy sector. For more information

about MMA Renewable Ventures, visit http://www.mmarenewableventures.com.