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August 4, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The people of Iraq woke up to more power this morning as a new generator came on line bringing the country an additional 20 Megawatts of electrical generation.

The addition of the generator at the Bayji Power Plant in north central Iraq is the first of many slated to come on line this month.

“This marks yet another step forward for the Iraqi people and provides them with additional power,” said Lt. Col. Jeffery Ogden, Director of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Restore Iraqi Electricity Directorate. “We will continue to work alongside the Iraqis and help them build a solid foundation for the future of the nation.”

That foundation will continue to solidify this month, as additional power generators are expected to come on line throughout August and bring more electricity to the people of Iraq.

“Electricity is a commodity that is extremely important in ensuring the well-being of Iraq,” he said.

As additional electricity is generated and provided, many Iraqi people will be able to realize for the first time the modern conveniences of air conditioning, refrigerators and a host of modern conveniences to quell the effects of the scorching summer desert heat.

Since beginning its work in the country nearly a year ago, the Corps has added an additional 1392 Megawatts to the Iraqi national grid.

“It’s the hard work and dedication of the Minister of Electricity, the Iraqi workforce and the members of the multinational team that are making these advances possible,” said Maj. Erik Stor, operations officer for the Corps’s RIE Directorate. “So many have made Herculean efforts to bring more electricity to Iraq, and we are now seeing the fruits of that labor.”

Despite more than 30 years of neglect by the former regime and attacks by anti-Iraqi forces, the multinational team continues to improve the country’s infrastructure.

“We will not falter in delivering the new Iraq a modern infrastructure,” Stor said. “Anti-Iraqi forces continue to conduct operations to disrupt reconstruction efforts; however, the resolve of the Iraqi people and the brave men and women of the Corps and the Multinational Force remain committed to freeing the country from anti-Iraqi forces intent on obstructing the country’s progress.”

For more information, contact Mitch Frazier at (540) 665-5339 or via Iraqna at 0-790-192-5105 or visit www.grd.usace.army.mil.

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