Bioremediation Technology Receives Patent Now Available Commercially

Idaho Falls, Dec. 15, 2004 - A long-lasting, environmentally-friendly bioremediation technology developed at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) to clean groundwater received a patent on August 31, 2004 and is now available commercially. The technology also won the 2003 award from Frost & Sullivan for the Environmental Innovative Bioremediation Technology of the Year.

"The Bioavailability Enhancement Technology (B.E.T.™) process could be applicable at as many as 60% of the nation's 3,000 Superfund sites and more than 50% of the suspected 300,000 contaminated sites across the country. B.E.T.™ is particularly exciting because it facilitates the use of cost-effective bioremediation at many sites where previously this was not thought possible," said Lance Peterson, Senior Vice President, Science and Technology Division, North Wind Inc.

Gary Smith of Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC announced the commercialization saying, "Bioavailability Enhancement Technology™ (B.E.T.™) is an impressive technology that works effectively to accelerate bioremediation. Now it is widely available after a U.S. patent was granted for the process." The implementation process rights have been sublicensed to North Wind, Inc., a full-service environmental company and award-winning small business in Idaho Falls. JRW Bioremediation LLC of Kansas City is the licensed distributor of WilClear® lactate concentrate and other in-situ bioremediation products used in the process.

The B.E.T.™ process improves and accelerates bioremediation of groundwater contaminated with common organic solvents used in the manufacturing and dry cleaning industries. By enhancing the availability and breakdown of these solvents that do not easily dissolve in water, the process produces carbon dioxide, water and other natural products. Locally resident bacteria facilitate the breakdown process when stimulated with food-grade products injected into the contaminated area.

Proven cost-effective during bioremediation efforts at one of INEEL's sites during the past few years, the patented B.E.T.™ process has reduced the time for remediation by as much as one-half and the cost by at least one-third. "Used in similar circumstances, we would expect significant savings in time and money for bioremediation," said Dr. Kent Sorenson, inventor of the technology and now an Associate at CDM Inc. in Denver. "Our process has been successfully used for over five years and this patent is the first in a family of pending patents and extended research activities to improve the application of bioremediation," he said.

Contact: INEEL, Keith Arterburn, 208-526-4845, artegk@inel.gov, Gary W. Smith, 208-526-3780 (smitgw@inel.gov); Licensee contacts are Lance Peterson of North Wind, Inc. at 208-557-7870 (lpeterson@nwindenv.com, www.nwindenv.com), and Donovan Smith of JRW Bioremediation at (913) 438-5544 xt113 (dsmith@jrwbiorem.com, www.jrwbioremediation.com).

Note 1 - The B.E.T.™ trademark is owned by SRP, Inc., INEEL's licensee.
Note 2 - WilClear® is a registered trademark owned by JRW Bioremediation LLC.