Utilities News

Confirmation of an Approach to Drax Group Limited

2005-09-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

Confirmation of an Approach to Drax Group Limited

LONDON, September 13/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Constellation Energy Group Inc ("Constellation Energy") (NYSE: CEG) and
Perry Capital LLC and its affiliates ("Perry Capital") together confirm that
they have approached the Board of Drax Group Limited ("Drax") with a view to
making a cash offer for the company at an enterprise value of GBP1.9 billion,
subject to certain conditions.

Such an offer would provide creditors and equity holders with
a full cash alternative to the current plans for a possible listing of Drax.

Constellation Energy and Perry Capital have together engaged Lazard as
financial adviser on this transaction and CSFB to arrange the necessary debt
financing.

Notes to editors:

About Constellation Energy

Constellation Energy is a Fortune Global 500 Energy Company based in
Baltimore, Maryland, with an equity capitalisation in excess of US$10
billion. Constellation is the leading supplier of competitive electricity to
large commercial and industrial customers in the US and the nation's largest
wholesale power seller. Constellation is also a major generator of
electricity with approximately 12,000MW of power generating assets throughout
the US, including 2,827MW of coal fired generation.

Constellation Energy has a significant and growing presence in the UK
energy market.

About Perry Capital

Founded in 1988, Perry Capital is an investment fund manager
with approximately US$12 billion under management and offices in New York,
London and Hong Kong. Perry Capital generally considers its investments to
be long-term and seeks to develop close working relationships with the key
members of a company's management and operating team.

Source: Constellation and Perry Capital

Enquiries: Lazard, +44-(0)-20-7187-2000, Paul Gismondi, Matthew Jarman, Richard Stables; Maitland, +44-(0)-207-379-5151, Neil Bennett, Liz Morley

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Profile: Utilities

Tower Hamlets Goes Even Cleaner, Even Safer

2005-09-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

Tower Hamlets Goes Even Cleaner, Even Safer

LONDON, September 13/PRNewswire/ -- The 2005 residents' survey carried out by Tower Hamlets Council showed
that a cleaner safer borough was at the top of the public's agenda. A new
'Cleaner Safer' campaign aims to raise awareness about critical issues and
change people's behaviour.

Press Launch
Venue: Mile End Pavilion, Clinton Road, E3 4QX
Date: 14th September 2005
Time: 8.30am (press can arrange interviews from 7am)

The launch event will showcase the dual language advertising campaign on
a double deck bus and two 48 - sheet advertising vans. People can find out
how they can become involved, sign up to a pledge their support and discover
the work that is being carried out across the borough at
www.cleanersafertowerhamlets.co.uk

There will be some excellent TV, radio and photo opportunities and we can
accommodate any reasonable advance requests!

Councillor Michael Keith, Leader said:

"Cleaner Safer is a major campaign to massively improve the condition of
our environment and to tackle problems like crime, anti-social behaviour,
littering, fly tipping and abandoned cars. Things that matter to us all."

Councillor Judith Gardiner, Lead member for environment, said:

"We have delivered real reductions in crime, focusing on the high volume
crimes that most affect the lives of the community in Tower Hamlets. Today
you are less likely to be a victim of street crime, car crime and residential
burglary than was the case three years ago."

The objectives will be run under the banner of the cleaner safer brand
and in Tower Hamlets cleaner safer will become a watchword for improvements.
The logo will become a symbol of environmental excellence.

Editors Notes

The council is investing GBP10 million to make a real difference over the
next few months delivering a better quality of life for all our residents.

Local people have told us that cutting crime and improving the physical
environment are the most important things that they want to see tackled. So
that's exactly what we plan to do.

The council has already made significant inroads in making the borough a
cleaner, safer place to be. This campaign of hard hitting improvements and
changes will encourage and persuade all sectors of the community to become
even more socially responsible and make people aware that anti-social
behaviour is not right, not clever and not worth it.

Tower Hamlets currently has the lowest residential burglary rate in inner
London. Street robbery has fallen by 29% since 2001. Motor vehicle crime fell
by 20% last year and offending among young people decreased by 17%.

This week the council has launched the hate crime line and the crime and
drugs reduction strategy. Other campaign initiatives include:

- Air pollution - Hate crime
- Anti-social behaviour - Improving estates
- Bullying - Litter
- Dog fouling - Property crime
- Domestic violence - Recycling
- Drugs - Safer neighbourhood teams
- Fly tipping - Safer parks
- Graffiti - Violent crime

Source: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

For further press information please contact: Abi Rogansky / Lizzie Liebenhals, Senior PR Officer, Tel: +44-(0)7734-179399, +44-(0)7712-097659, Email: abi.rogansky@towerhamlets.gov.uk

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Profile: Utilities

Confirmation of an Approach to Drax Group Limited

2005-09-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

Confirmation of an Approach to Drax Group Limited

LONDON, September 13/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Constellation Energy Group Inc ("Constellation Energy", NYSE: CEG) and
Perry Capital LLC and its affiliates ("Perry Capital") together confirm that
they have approached the Board of Drax Group Limited ("Drax") with a view to
making a cash offer for the company at an enterprise value of GBP1.9 billion,
subject to certain conditions.

Such an offer would provide creditors and equity holders with
a full cash alternative to the current plans for a possible listing of Drax.

Constellation Energy and Perry Capital have together engaged Lazard as
financial adviser on this transaction and CSFB to arrange the necessary debt
financing.

Notes to editors:

About Constellation Energy

Constellation Energy has a significant and growing presence in the UK
energy market.

About Perry Capital

Source: Constellation Energy and Perry Capital

Enquiries: Lazard, +44-(0)-20-7187-2000, Paul Gismondi, Matthew Jarman, Richard Stables; Maitland, +44-(0)-207-379-5151, Neil Bennett, Liz Morley

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Profile: Utilities

Drax Group Limited: Indicative Approach Received

2005-09-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

Drax Group Limited: Indicative Approach Received

SELBY, England, September 13/PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Drax Group Limited ("Drax" or "the Company")
announces that it received on 12 September an indicative approach from a
consortium comprising Constellation Energy Group, Inc and Perry Capital LLC
regarding a possible cash offer for Drax representing an enterprise value of
GBP1.9 billion. The proposal is subject to a number of conditions, including
due diligence and financing.

The Board is considering this approach and will provide an update in due
course. The Board notes that the indicative value proposed is below the
enterprise value of the Company as implied by current trading of its A2/A3
debt and equity.

Consistent with its previously stated intention, the Board
will consider any proposal which it believes will deliver fair value to its
shareholders, whilst continuing with preparations for a refinancing and
listing. The next important step in the refinancing and listing process,
being the posting of a document to investors seeking irrevocable undertakings
from shareholders by mid-October, will commence next week.

Deutsche Bank AG London Branch ('Deutsche Bank'), which is
regulated by the Financial Services Authority for the conduct of designated
investment business in the United Kingdom, is acting for Drax in connection
with the matters described herein and no-one else and will not be responsible
to anyone other than Drax for providing the protections afforded to customers
of Deutsche Bank, nor for providing advice in relation to the matters
described herein.

Notes to Editors

1. The Company intends to seek irrevocable undertakings from
its shareholders to vote in favour of the proposed refinancing and listing at
the relevant court meeting for the proposed Drax Group Limited scheme of
arrangement. Similar undertakings will also be sought from the A2 Lenders and
the A3 Lenders in relation to the proposed InPower 2 Limited schemes of
arrangement.

Source: Drax Group Limited

Gordon Horsfield (Chairman), Gordon Boyd (Finance Director), Andrew Jones (Head of Corporate Affairs), Drax Power Limited +44-(0)1757-618381. Mark Cross, Alan Brown, Deutsche Bank, (Financial Adviser to Drax Group Limited) +44-(0)20-7545-8000. David Trenchard, Peter Hewer, Tulchan Communications +44-(0)20-7353-4200

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Profile: Utilities

Duquesne Light Groundbreaking Marks Commitment of More Than $500 Million Toward Electric Infrastructure of Pittsburgh Region

2005-09-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

Duquesne Light Groundbreaking Marks Commitment of More Than $500 Million Toward Electric Infrastructure of Pittsburgh Region

Projects to Require Addition of 150 Full-Time Employees, 120 Contractor Positions

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To ensure that Duquesne Light will be able to maintain the level of service and reliability customers have come to expect, the company announced that it is investing more than $500 million in the region's electric infrastructure to replace aging circuits and equipment and to improve power capacity.

Duquesne Light CEO Morgan O'Brien made the announcement on Pittsburgh's North Side, where the company broke ground for a new training facility and a service center for downtown Pittsburgh and surrounding neighborhoods. O'Brien was joined by Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Yablonsky, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy.

"Today is much more than a groundbreaking for two new buildings," O'Brien said. "I'm here to talk about a significant investment in the Pittsburgh region over the next several years that will make needed improvements to the wires, transformers, substations, poles and other equipment that enable us to deliver power safely and reliably to our customers' homes and businesses. Events like the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the massive Northeast Blackout of 2003 bring into sharp focus the importance of reliable infrastructure."

To help complete this work, the company expects to add 150 full-time employees to the Duquesne Light workforce. In addition, approximately 120 project-specific positions will be available to skilled trades people in the region over the next several years.

Duquesne Light is proactively replacing facilities and electric equipment that have served residents of Allegheny and Beaver counties well for decades, but now are nearing the end of their useful operating lives. Projects, beyond the two facilities featured in today's groundbreaking, include:

- Improving power capacity to serve the growing electricity needs at
Oakland-area hospitals and universities.

- Refurbishing the aging underground systems that power sections of
downtown Pittsburgh and the growing North Shore commercial district.

- Adding contingency plans to feed power to the downtown network.

- Completing the conversion of older distribution circuits to higher-
voltage circuits that can use newer technology to help maintain
reliability.

- Upgrading transmission lines that will improve the flow of electricity
in the eastern part of the company's service area, and help to balance
the power load throughout the two-county service territory.

- Upgrading underground lines and other related equipment in older
suburban housing plans that have been in service from as far back as
the 1960s.

In addition to consolidating all of the training for operations employees on one site, the Duquesne Light Training Center will be home to the company's Electrical Distribution Technology (EDT) program. This cooperative effort with the Community College of Allegheny County helps the company develop and maintain highly skilled workers in multiple areas of electrical transmission and distribution, while providing younger residents the skills and salary they need to remain in southwestern Pennsylvania. The program already has provided a bright future for 40 area residents, with another 54 slated to graduate over the next two years.

The new Preble Service Center, which replaces nearby buildings that date back almost 100 years, will ensure that Duquesne Light will be able to continue to provide a high level of service and reliability to the region's epicenter.

About Duquesne Light Company

Duquesne Light Company (NYSE:DQE) is a leader in the transmission and distribution of electric energy, offering superior customer service and reliability to more than half a million customers in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Source: Duquesne Light Company

CONTACT: Joe Balaban of Duquesne Light Company, +1-412-232-6848

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Profile: Utilities

GigaBeam WiFiber(TM) Installed for the City and County of San Francisco's Public Utilities Commission

2005-09-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

GigaBeam WiFiber(TM) Installed for the City and County of San Francisco's Public Utilities Commission

HERNDON, Va., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GigaBeam Corporation announces that it has successfully completed installation of its WiFiber(TM) wireless fiber solution for the first phase of a wireless backbone network for the City and County of San Francisco's Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). The wireless network will serve as complementary and redundant links to SFPUC's more traditional leased lines network. The SFPUC selected GigaBeam's WiFiber(TM) wireless fiber solution to be the core of its wireless communications network because of WiFiber's(TM) capacity of fiber speed. High- speed transmission is needed to support data, voice and video communications between geographically diverse field locations and commission offices.

The first phase of the deployment involved the installation of two WiFiber back-to-back links between major facilities. Live video, data and voice over IP (VoIP) were successfully enabled over the links demonstrating how multiple locations of video, data and voice can be aggregated and carried over sequential GigaBeam WiFiber links without affecting quality of service. Large file transfers were tested over the link and files which previously took 2-1/2 hours to transfer took less than 5 minutes. The speed of WiFiber operating at a gigabit-per-second had impressive results. GigaBeam's WiFiber is a very cost effective alternative for the SFPUC compared to expensive installation of terrestrial fiber.

Lou Slaughter, GigaBeam's Chairman and CEO said, "This successful deployment with the SFPUC is exciting because it validates the use of our WiFiber for use by city and state governments. WiFiber is a technology that communicates at the speed of terrestrial fiber but at a price significantly less than fiber. This is very important to government agencies which all have tight budgets and yet are expected to provide sophisticated high speed access to constituents and city agencies.

GigaBeam WiFiber operates in the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz radio spectrum bands. This portion of the radio frequency spectrum has been authorized by the Federal Communications Commission for wireless point-to-point commercial use. Use of these frequency bands for commercial use was pioneered by GigaBeam's founders.

GigaBeam's technology, utilizing these large blocks of authorized contiguous spectrum, enables multi Gigabit-per-second wireless communications through use of Gigabit Ethernet protocols. The current speed achieved by GigaBeam's WiFiber product lines is one Gigabit-per-second - equivalent to 647 T1 lines or 1,000 DSL connections. GigaBeam also plans deployment of future products capable of 10 Gigabits-per-second which is the 10 Gigabit Ethernet protocol standard.

GigaBeam's WiFiber technology is similar to terrestrial fiber in terms of speed and reliability for deployment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANS). However, WiFiber has a substantial advantage over terrestrial fiber because WiFiber can be deployed in a day and costs less to deploy than terrestrial fiber. Terrestrial fiber can take months to deploy and also require significant regulatory and environmental approvals prior to installation.

About GigaBeam Corporation

GigaBeam is a provider of high performance wireless point-to-point communications access solutions that operate in the licensed 71-76 GHz and 81- 86 GHz radio spectrum bands. GigaBeam equipment operates at multi-gigabit-per- second speeds. GigaBeam Corporation headquarters is located at 470 Springpark Place, Suite 900, Herndon, VA 20170. For more information, visit www.gigabeam.com .

About the City of San Francisco

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is a department of the City and County of San Francisco that provides water, wastewater, and municipal power services to San Francisco. Under contractual agreement with 29 wholesale water agencies, the SFPUC also supplies water to 1.6 million additional customers within three Bay Area counties. The SFPUC system provides four distinct services: Regional Water, Local Water, Clean Water (wastewater collection, treatment and disposal), and Power.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release regarding GigaBeam's products, services, capabilities, performance, opportunities, development and business outlook that are forward-looking involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond GigaBeam's control and difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to: lack of operating history, transitioning from a development company to an operating company, difficulties in distinguishing GigaBeam's products and services, ability to manufacture and deploy GigaBeam's products, lack of or delay in market acceptance and fluctuations in customer demand, dependence on a limited number of significant customers, reliance on third party vendors and strategic partners, availability of raw materials, subassemblies and components, ability to meet future capital requirements on acceptable terms, continuing uncertainty in the telecommunications industry and the global economy, intense competition in the telecommunications equipment industry and resulting impact on pricing and general financial performance, compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements, timing, availability and success of new technology and product introductions and the other factors discussed in GigaBeam's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: GigaBeam Corporation

CONTACT: Michelle Manoff of Rubenstein Public Relations,
+1-212-843-8051, mmanoff@rubensteinpr.com; or Lou Slaughter of GigaBeam
Corporation, +1-571-283-6200, lou.slaughter@GigaBeam.com

Web site: http://www.gigabeam.com/

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Profile: Utilities

PennFuture, Others Reach Settlement with PECO: An Out-of-the-Park, Bases-Loaded Home Run for Pennsylvania's Environment and Economy

2005-09-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

PennFuture, Others Reach Settlement with PECO: An Out-of-the-Park, Bases-Loaded Home Run for Pennsylvania's Environment and Economy

Agreement Means $120 Million in Rate Cuts, Protection for Low Income Customers, Increased Funding for Green Energy and Economic Development

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture) today announced that it and 11 other parties had reached a settlement with Philadelphia-based PECO Energy that will cut the costs of electricity to residential, small business and commercial customers; maintain current prices for the delivery of electricity (transmission and distribution, or T&D fees) for four more years; substantially expand assistance to low income customers; improve reliability of electricity to customers; increase economic development programs; adopt rules that will allow customers with solar panels or other personal power to sell excess electricity back to the company; and massively boost funding for renewable energy development and conservation programs. This record-breaking agreement comes after PennFuture and the other parties filed objections before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to the proposed merger between PECO's parent company, Exelon, and New Jersey's Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG). Under Pennsylvania law, the PUC may not approve any merger proposal unless it can be demonstrated to be necessary or proper for public service.

"This agreement is an out-of-the-park, bases-loaded home run for Pennsylvania's environment and economy," said John Hanger, President and CEO of PennFuture, and former member of the PUC. "We gained funding for clean, renewable energy, and energy conservation. The agreement puts consumer protections in place for the Pennsylvania customers affected by this merger. It will save lives by increasing assistance to low income customers by $20 million. And most of all, it will cut electricity rates by a whopping $120 million to homes and small and large businesses.

"In an energy world in turmoil, where oil, gasoline, natural gas and even coal prices have increased by 100 percent to 400 percent in the last five years, PECO's electricity prices are a startling exception," continued Hanger. "PECO customers will pay less in constant dollars for electricity in 2006 than in 1996 - that's a remarkable achievement."

In addition to the millions in rate cuts, consumers will also get a four- year extension of the T&D rate cap that will otherwise expire on December 31, 2006. This extension is worth millions, and is unusual for Pennsylvania. In 2004, the PUC granted Allentown-based PPL a $194.3 million increase when that company's rate cap expired.

Renewable energy and energy conservation will also get a $19.2 million boost from the settlement, with PECO Energy paying $12 million to the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) "for the purposes of funding renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation," and $7.2 million to the Sustainable Development Fund. When combined with Pennsylvania's landmark Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard law, the Energy Harvest program, the sustainable development funds, and Pennsylvania's vibrant voluntary green energy market, the $19.2 million of renewable energy and conservation benefits from the settlement means Pennsylvania can build thousands of megawatts of new wind, solar, biomass, methane and energy conservation projects.

PennFuture participated in similar negotiations with PECO and Unicom when they proposed merging to form Exelon in 1999. In those negotiations, PECO's initial merger filing offered no benefits for consumers, the competitive market or the environment, but the final settlement was a step forward for all three. That settlement included a total of $32 million in support of renewable energy, of which $24 million was newly-committed funds and the remainder an accelerated payment of funds already committed; $15.5 million to support new wind energy development - enough to power more than 40,000 households each year; $4 million to finance the installation of rooftop photovoltaic panels to provide personal solar power; $2.5 million to fund public education on renewable electricity; and marked improvement in Exelon's "net metering" tariff to make customer installation of solar PV, fuel cells, or other personal power simpler and more economic.

If the current agreement is approved by the PUC, PECO customers will have received four, separate rounds of rate cuts since January 1, 1999, worth a total of $867 million. These cuts came as a result of the 1998 electricity restructuring case, the 2000 securitization agreement, the 2001 Exelon/PECO merger and now the Exelon/PSEG merger.

In addition to PennFuture, parties settling the case before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) are the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, the Office of Trial Staff, the Department of Environmental Protection, Action Alliance of Senior Citizens, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now and the Tenants' Action Group, the Philadelphia Area Industrial Energy Users Group, The Reinvestment Fund/Sustainable Development Fund, Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia and State Senator Anthony Williams.

PennFuture is a statewide public interest membership organization that advances policies to protect and improve the state's environment and economy. With offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, PennFuture's activities include litigating cases before regulatory bodies and in local, state and federal courts, advocating and advancing legislative action on a state and federal level, public education and assisting citizens in public advocacy.

Source: Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture)

CONTACT: Jeanne K. Clark of PennFuture, +1-412-258-6683 or
+1-412-736-6092 (cell), Energyflak@aol.com

Web site: http://www.pennfuture.org/

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Profile: Utilities

Vyyo Executive to Speak on Electric Utility Wireless Automation at University of Wisconsin, Madison

2005-09-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Vyyo Executive to Speak on Electric Utility Wireless Automation at University of Wisconsin, Madison

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vyyo Inc. (NASDAQ:VYYO), a global supplier of broadband access equipment and turn-key customized, private broadband wireless network solutions, today announced that company executive Stewart Kantor will be speaking on wireless automation solutions for the electric utility industry at the University of Wisconsin, Madison September 13.

Kantor, vice president of business development, for Vyyo, will discuss new and emerging automation and data collection technologies that use licensed wireless spectrum to improve supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), automated meter reading (AMR) and other monitoring functions. By delivering improvements in real time data collection, remote connectivity, load balancing and workforce productivity, Vyyo's wireless solutions can help electric utilities reduce costs and increase network reliability and security. Kantor will speak at 4 p.m. September 13 at the campus' Pyle Center.

Vyyo has developed an end-to-end monitoring solution for utility providers that uses 700 MHz licensed wireless spectrum to provide greater efficiency by replacing legacy dial-up monitoring with cost-effective high-speed wireless data services. The Vyyo solution enables accurate, real time assessment of consumption, allowing the reduction of excess power generation or reallocation of power generation.

"Utilities are seeking new ways to increase efficiency in monitoring and controlling the electrical grid as well as establishing enhanced security at remote locations," said Kantor. "The state-of-the-art monitoring solutions that will be presented in the University of Wisconsin, Madison have been designed to help electric utilities achieve increases in revenue and security, while at the same time reducing operating expenses."

With 15 years of operations, product development and marketing experience in wireless voice and data communications, Kantor has been a leading contributor to the creation of the Vyyo utility solution. Prior to joining Vyyo in 2004, Kantor served as director of product development for Nokia's fixed wireless access products.

About Vyyo Inc. and Xtend Networks, a Vyyo company

Vyyo provides cable and wireless broadband access solutions. Our products are designed for use by utilities, cable television and telecommunication operators, wireless ISPs and enterprise. Our solutions enable utilities to operate secure wireless networks for communications and SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) of their remote assets. Cable television and telecommunication operators, wireless ISPs and enterprise use our DOCSIS-based solutions to deliver telephony (T1/E1), high-speed data, and VOIP to business and residential subscribers. Our cable bandwidth expansion solutions are designed to expand cable operators' typical HFC (hybrid-fiber coax) network capacity in the "last mile" by up to 2x in the downstream and up to 10x in the upstream, addressing bandwidth demand for T1 and other advanced services. For more information, please visit www.vyyo.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements made in this press release relating to the future, including those related to Vyyo's ability to provide cost-effective, state-of-the-art wireless networks, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our business and results of operations to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include among others: the current limited visibility available in the telecommunications and broadband access equipment markets; the competitive pricing environment and slower than expected development of broadband wireless opportunities; the willingness and ability of operators to adopt Vyyo's new technology and apply it in a manner that meets customer demands; Vyyo's ability to produce and distribute its broadband wireless products in the quantities, and with the quality control, desired by the market; and other risks set forth in Vyyo's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Vyyo's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by Vyyo with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Vyyo assumes no duty to update these statements.

NOTE: All trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Vyyo Inc.

CONTACT: Walt Ungerer, Vice President Corporate Communications, of Vyyo
Inc., +1-650-319-4029, or Wungerer@Vyyo.com; or Paul Schneider of
Paul Schneider Public Relations, Inc., +1-215-702-9784, or pspr@att.net, for
Vyyo Inc.

Web site: http://www.vyyo.com/

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Profile: Utilities

PA Governor Rendell Says Agreement Means $220 Million in Rate Relief for Customers; Details Settlement in Exelon-PSEG Merger

2005-09-13T05:57:00.000-07:00

PA Governor Rendell Says Agreement Means $220 Million in Rate Relief for Customers; Details Settlement in Exelon-PSEG Merger

Settlement in Exelon-PSEG Merger Provides Rate Relief for Customers, Retains Jobs in the PECO Service Territory

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that customers in the PECO Energy service area in southeastern Pennsylvania will benefit from $220 million in rate relief as a result of the commonwealth's intervention after Exelon Corp., the parent of PECO, and Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) announced plans to merge last December. The merger also will guard against soaring electricity prices and protect utility jobs that otherwise might have been lost.

"We have been focused on protecting ratepayers, securing rate relief and maintaining PECO jobs," Governor Rendell said. "Our vigorous effort in this process helped to ensure a stable energy market that manufacturers need to succeed and expand in a competitive marketplace, and protection for consumers, especially our most vulnerable residents, from soaring electricity prices."

Governor Rendell directed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to intervene in the case after the merger announcement. A settlement relating to that intervention was filed today with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

The settlement will provide approximately $220 million in rate relief to PECO's customers through direct rate cuts and a rate cap extension. Customers in the PECO service territory will receive $120 million in total rate cuts over four years, beginning one month after the merger is finalized. PECO also will cap transmission and distribution rates through the end of 2010.

"With this rate relief, PECO customers in southeastern Pennsylvania will be paying less in constant dollars for electricity in 2006 than they did in 1996 -- and this comes at a time when energy prices across the nation continue to rise," Governor Rendell said. "That is exactly why my administration took the historic step intervening in this merger -- to make sure ratepayers come out on top."

In addition to the rate benefits, Exelon must retain the PECO corporate headquarters in Philadelphia through at least Dec. 31, 2010, and retain field force and call center staffing at current levels in southeastern Pennsylvania. The commitment to field and call center staffing levels complement requirements that Exelon must make meaningful improvements in service reliability and customer service.

"While I am pleased with the concessions that we've gained from Exelon related to jobs, our agreement also includes an obligation on the part of Exelon to communicate and share information with labor on key staffing issues going forward," Governor Rendell said. "It is imperative that Exelon at all times be transparent and forthcoming with labor about changing work force needs."

The settlement also includes significant provisions to benefit low-income residents. PECO must raise the monthly Customer Assistance Program limit - under which qualifying low-income customers receive reduced billing payments - from 500-kilowatt hours per month to 650-kilowatt hours per month. The average monthly electricity usage for low-income residents in the PECO service territory is approximately 638-kilowatt hours per month. Exelon will pay $3.6 million to inform and assist low-income residents of these opportunities. Altogether, these commitments are equal to over $20 million in benefits for the low-income community.

Governor Rendell has led efforts to put in place policies and financial tools designed to promote advanced energy projects in the state to enhance energy security, stabilize prices over the long term and clean up the air. The Governor is actively promoting the development of a new manufacturing sector that focuses on advanced and renewable energy systems, energy efficiency and conservation, and clean advanced energy businesses.

In line with these efforts, this settlement includes provisions to increase the mix of advanced and renewable energy in electricity generation to ensure reliable, clean energy essential to a strong economy and clean environment. The settlement provides $12 million to the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, which Governor Rendell recently revitalized, and $7.2 million to the Sustainable Development Fund to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency and conservation projects that will help PECO customers. Moreover, an additional $8 million will be provided to promote energy-related economic development projects benefiting Philadelphia-area residents.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), as a condition of merger approval, has required the combined Exelon-PSEG company to divest more than 6,600 megawatts of generation to address concerns related to market power in the PJM Interconnection East.

Governor Rendell and other interveners also secured safeguards by requiring PECO to provide annual reports to the PUC on annual price trends and price differentials between PJM East and PJM West. The safeguards also allow the joint petitioners to request an investigation by the PUC if they believe that PECO's affiliated generation company has unlawfully exercised market power. It also allows joint petitioners to participate in post-merger proceedings at FERC, related to market power compliance or re-hearings on market power mitigation plans.

The settlement agreement also includes commitments on net-metering and interconnection, corporate structure protections, corporate giving and charitable contributions, and advocacy for long-term, reliable, fixed cost rates for industrial customers.

Other intervening parties who are settling today include: Office of Trial Staff, Office of Consumer Advocate, Office of Small Business Advocate, Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, Action Alliance, Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Area Industrial Energy Users Group, Reinvestment Fund/Sustainable Development Fund and state Sen. Anthony Williams.

Before being finalized, the merger requires a series of federal and state approvals, including the PUC. Final consummation of the merger requires approval from the New Jersey Public Service Commission and the U.S. Department of Treasury. Rate cuts will begin one month after the merger. Other benefits will begin Jan. 1, 2007.

CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116 or Kurt Knaus (DEP), +1-717-787-1323.

Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,
+1-717-783-1116 or Kurt Knaus (DEP), +1-717-787-1323

Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/

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Profile: Utilities

Badenova Chooses ClickSoftware Solution for Scheduling Optimization

2005-09-13T05:34:00.000-07:00

Badenova Chooses ClickSoftware Solution for Scheduling Optimization

BURLINGTON, Massachusetts, September 13/PRNewswire/ --

- German Multi-Utility Takes First Steps Toward Improving Service
Through Scheduling

ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd (NasdaqSC: CKSW), the leading provider of
workforce and service optimization solutions, today announced that Badenova,
a partly owned subsidiary of Thüga AG, has selected ClickSoftware's
ClickSchedule solution to optimize scheduling within Badenova's service
operations.

Badenova, whose private minority shareholder (48 percent), Thüga AG, is a
98 percent subsidiary of Germany's largest energy company, E.ON AG, is a
multi-utility provider in southern Germany. As such, there are a number of
job types that Badenova's 210 technicians need to be scheduled to do. To
manage this scheduling process more efficiently, Badenova is implementing a
software application designed to help its dispatchers make the best decisions
possible in the moment of scheduling.

At the same time, Badenova has centralized a previously decentralized
dispatching process, thereby gaining further efficiency benefits.
Centralization can only be achieved, however, with the appropriate supporting
software, such as ClickSoftware's ClickSchedule product.

"Our dispatchers are quite adept at their jobs," said Matthias Nikolay,
board member at Badenova, "but the fact is that scheduling can be a
high-pressure job that can lead to suboptimal decisions and higher costs.
ClickSoftware's solution will enable our dispatchers to more consistently
schedule the most appropriate technician for a job, which will greatly
improve our customer service, as well as give us greater control over our
costs. In addition, the solution will make us much more efficient."

"Also, the flexibility inherent in ClickSchedule's design enables us to
use a phased approach to our implementation of certain capabilities, which
will help us in the long run with change management."

ClickSchedule's optimization capabilities take into consideration
numerous company-defined criteria-including type of job, available
technicians, technician skill sets, distance between technician jobs,
etc.-when aiding dispatchers in their scheduling decisions. In its initial
implementation, installed in late November 2004 and live in January 2005,
Badenova did not enable ClickSchedule's automated components. Automation will
be added to the solution in phase two of the implementation in January 2006.

The ClickSchedule solution was purchased, together with the SAP certified
R/3 Adaptor, by Badenova from Wessendorf Software and Consulting GmbH, an SAP
software partner and ClickSoftware reseller headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

"We have been optimizing scheduling in the utilities industry for many
years, and we have seen what benefits the adoption of scheduling optimization
can bring to a company like Badenova," said Professor Moshe BenBassat,
founder and CEO of ClickSoftware. "Badenova's decision to optimize its
service scheduling is a testimony to the company's dedication to both
customer service and cost management."

About ClickSoftware

ClickSoftware is the leading provider of workforce and service
optimisation solutions that maximize workforce productivity and customer
satisfaction while minimizing operations costs. ClickSoftware's
ServiceOptimization Suite provides an integrated, intelligent solution for
automatic, efficient, and effective decisions over the entire service
decision-making chain. It includes reliable customer demand and workload
forecasting, strategic and tactical capacity planning, daily service
scheduling, troubleshooting and repair support, wireless workforce
management, and business analytics, connecting all organizational levels and
functions. The company is headquartered in Burlington, Mass., and Israel,
with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

For more information about ClickSoftware, please call +1-(781)-272-5903
or +1-(888)-438-3308, or visit www.clicksoftware.com.

This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, those regarding future results of
operations, visibility into future periods, continued growth and rate of
growth, increasing transaction size, greater involvement of channel partners
in transactions, and expectations regarding future closing of contracts,
recognition of revenues, and deferred revenues. Such "forward-looking
statements" involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors,
which may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from
those projected. Achievement of these results by ClickSoftware and its
subsidiaries may be affected by many factors, including, among others, the
following: the company's ability to maintain or increase relationships with
strategic partners; the size of transactions the company is able to complete;
the ability of the company's professional services group to successfully
complete implementations; and the company's ability to compete and the level
of competition. The forward-looking statements contained in this press
release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those
discussed in ClickSoftware's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Company is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims
any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements
whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contacts:

Laura Wells
LEWIS PR
+1-617-454-1107
laurawells@lewispr.com

Liz Avery
ClickSoftware, Inc.
+1-781-272-5903 x2273
liz.avery@clicksoftware.com

Source: ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd

Laura Wells, LEWIS PR, +1-617-454-1107, laurawells@lewispr.com. Liz Avery, ClickSoftware, Inc. +1-781-272-5903 x2273, liz.avery@clicksoftware.com

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Profile: Utilities

Vicious Attack on PG&E Meter Reader Serves as Stark Reminder of Dog Owners' Responsibilities

2005-09-13T05:23:00.000-07:00

Vicious Attack on PG&E Meter Reader Serves as Stark Reminder of Dog Owners' Responsibilities

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On Monday, September 12, two dogs viciously attacked a Pacific Gas and Electric Company meter reader as she performed her duties in a Vallejo neighborhood. The meter reader was seriously injured, and could have been killed, were it not for a Good Samaritan who saw the attack as it was taking place and wedged his car between the dogs and the meter reader.

The meter reader was reading a meter in a customer's yard when she was accosted by two un-tethered pit bulls. Both dogs attacked the meter reader as she backed out of the yard, causing severe damage to her ankles, legs and hip. The dogs continued their vicious attack of the meter reader outside of the yard until a passer-by saw the attack and parked his vehicle between the meter reader and the dogs. The meter reader then ran across the street to a local convenience store where she called 911. The meter reader suffered several severe bites and punctures to both of her legs, ankles and hip. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital in Vallejo where she received medical attention for her wounds.

Every day, PG&E meter readers and other employees enter yards or homes to read gas or electric meters, and provide customer service and every day those workers come across dogs of all temperaments. If you have questions as to the day of your meter read, please call PG&E at 1-800-PGE-5000.

The following tips will help in providing a safe environment for your dog and a safe environment for PG&E employees.

TO PROTECT PG&E WORKERS AND OTHERS:

-- Restrain or relocate your dog when it is time for PG&E employees to read your meter.

-- Confine your dog as necessary. If the utility worker is outside, keep your dog inside. If the worker is inside keep your dog outside. If the worker must work in the vicinity of your dog, secure your dog. (Dogs may become more protective in the presence of their owners)

-- Post a Beware of Dog sign on your fence or house to avoid any surprises.

-- Leave a note on your meter explaining that you have a dog and how it is confined.

-- Be sure all vaccinations and inoculations for rabies and parasites are up to date.

-- Train your dog to obey simple commands like "sit," "stay," "no," and "come."

-- Collar your dog. Even when relaxing at home, you should have the means to quickly restrain your dog in any emergency.

For more information about Pacific Gas and Electric Company and additional safety tips, please visit our website at www.pge.com/safety.

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company

CONTACT: PG&E News Department, +1-415-973-5930

Web site: http://www.pge.com/

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Profile: Utilities

KEMA Strategic and Business Consulting Practice Charts Strategic Growth

2005-09-13T04:38:00.000-07:00

KEMA Strategic and Business Consulting Practice Charts Strategic Growth

Leading Utility Industry Experts Join Team, Expanding Services

BURLINGTON, Mass., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- KEMA continues to actively expand its strategic and business consulting practice to further meet the strategic business needs and goals of energy and utility industry clients. As part of this growth strategy, three respected utility industry business consultants recently joined the practice, further expanding the breadth and depth of the team's service offerings.

KEMA's management consulting services focus on four core competencies: strategic planning; operational excellence, reengineering and organization change management; market restructuring impact analysis; and market research.

Under the leadership of Hugo van Nispen, KEMA is actively assisting leading utilities with capital expenditure, revenue growth strategies, business planning and business model development, asset management, valuation and due diligence, and business process improvement and smart metering projects.

The new consultants joining KEMA's global team of business and technical experts include:

Michael Mahany is a Senior Executive Consultant with KEMA. He is a utility industry specialist with over 28 years consulting primarily in the electric, gas, telephone, and water industries. He has extensive experience as an independent consultant in all facets of organization and operations management both domestically and internationally. He has an MS in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University, a BA in business systems from the University of Georgia, and a Certification in Integrated Resource Management (CIRM) from the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS).

Robert Grant is a Senior Executive Consultant with KEMA. With over 33 years in the utility industry for over 33 years, his experience spans a wide variety of consulting engagements, business management and development. He has evaluated and negotiated a number of significant contracts, both nationally and internationally, for several major companies. He has also helped numerous major utilities redesign their business organizations to reflect the changing regulatory environment. He has a BS in electrical engineering from the Lowell Technical Institute.

Garrett Johnston is a Consultant with KEMA. He has over 7 years experience in providing energy insights and intelligence to large investor-owned utilities, with particular expertise in advanced metering. He has served more than 100 utilities, providing in-depth perspectives on a wide variety of topics, including broadband over power lines (BPL), reliability/outage management and billing. He has a BS from James Madison University and is pursuing an MBA from Georgia State University in Atlanta.

For additional information on KEMA's strategic and business consulting practice, please contact:

Hugo van Nispen
KEMA
Senior Vice President
Phone: 630.231.0732
E-mail: hugo.vannispen@kema.com

About KEMA

KEMA is an independent company with an international reputation for technical and management consultancy, testing, inspections and certification for businesses in the energy industry, assisting more than 500 clients in more than 70 countries. Headquartered in Arnhem, the Netherlands with subsidiaries and offices worldwide, KEMA employs more than 1,500 full-time professionals and leading experts in many facets of the energy utility industry. Founded in 1927, KEMA serves the complete spectrum of participants in the energy marketplace and offers a full complement of services supporting generation through the consumer side of the meter. KEMA's North American business operations are headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. www.kema.com

Source: KEMA

CONTACT: Kristen L. K. Brewitt kristen.brewitt@kema.com of KEMA
Corporate Communications, +1-781-418-5714 (USA)

Web site: http://www.kema.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/113086.html

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Profile: Utilities

FutureGen Industrial Alliance to Pioneer Development of First Near-Zero Emissions Electricity and Hydrogen Production Facility

2005-09-13T04:35:00.000-07:00

FutureGen Industrial Alliance to Pioneer Development of First Near-Zero Emissions Electricity and Hydrogen Production Facility

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A coalition of the largest electric utilities and coal companies in the United States today announced that they have created the FutureGen Industrial Alliance, a non-profit company that will partner with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to facilitate the design, construction and operation of the world's first near-zero emissions coal-based power plant.

FutureGen will demonstrate advanced coal-based technologies to generate electricity for families and businesses, and also produce hydrogen to power fuel cells for transportation and other energy needs. The technology also will integrate the capture of carbon emissions with carbon sequestration, helping to address the issue of climate change as energy demand continues to grow worldwide.

The 275 megawatt plant will be developed through a public-private partnership led by the seven founding FutureGen Industrial Alliance members that include:

-- American Electric Power
-- BHP Billiton
-- CONSOL Energy Inc.
-- Foundation Coal Corporation
-- Kennecott Energy Company, a member of the Rio Tinto group
-- Peabody Energy
-- Southern Company

Because of the global interest in meeting energy demands and improving emissions, membership in the Alliance is open to other U.S. and international companies. The Alliance is presently in discussions with the China Huaneng Group, which is the largest Peoples Republic of China-based energy company primarily engaged in coal-fueled power generation. The Huaneng Group has expressed an interest in joining the Alliance in the very near future. The Alliance is also in discussions with other companies and expects membership to grow.

Formation of FutureGen Alliance was coordinated by Battelle, a non-profit research and development institution. The Alliance is working with DOE to secure a final agreement for FutureGen. Once an agreement is reached, the process would proceed to site selection and plant design.

"FutureGen is an opportunity to develop and deploy breakthrough technology that would allow the United States and the world to use an abundant resource in meeting long-term global energy challenges," said FutureGen Alliance Chairman Dr. Charles Goodman, Senior Vice President of Generation Policy for Southern Company. "FutureGen can help ensure the continued availability of affordable electricity, lead our nation to more energy independence -- and an even cleaner environment -- as well as addressing concerns related to carbon emissions and climate change."

The Alliance member companies:

-- provide energy to tens of millions of U.S. residential, business and
industrial customers,
-- mine and market all major coal types,
-- have major operations across the United States,
-- have an international presence that spans the globe, including the
United Kingdom, continental Europe, Canada, Mexico, Australia and
Asia, among other regions.

Beyond creating ultra-clean electricity from coal, FutureGen is being developed to transform the nation's transportation fleet from reliance on petroleum to clean hydrogen. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that increasing coal production by 330 million tons per year would satisfy 50 percent of the nation's transportation requirements for the Freedom Car initiative.

The vision was conceptualized during the Clinton Administration through the Vision 21 Program and developed by the Bush Administration through the $1 billion FutureGen initiative. FutureGen also supports the use of technology development to address climate change concerns, energy and sustainable development as supported by both The Gleneagles Communique issued at the most- recent G8 summit, and the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development.

"Cutting-edge technology will be employed throughout this prototype plant," according to FutureGen acting Chief Executive Officer Michael Mudd, American Electric Power's Program Manager of Technology Development. "The facility is also expected to provide a platform for researchers to test new and innovative technologies."

The plant will gasify the coal through a process that converts the coal's carbon to a synthesis gas composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The synthesis gas will react with steam to produce additional hydrogen and a concentrated stream of carbon dioxide.

The hydrogen will be used as a clean fuel for electricity generation in turbines, fuel cells or hybrid combinations of these technologies. The captured carbon dioxide will be separated from the hydrogen and permanently sequestered in deep, unmineable coal seams, deep saline aquifers or other geologic formations. Carbon sequestration activities will be monitored over time to assess their effectiveness and potential applicability in various settings around the globe.

Coal fuels more than 50 percent of electricity in the United States and provides more than two-and-a-half centuries of energy security. Coal used for electricity generation has tripled since 1970, while emissions from coal have been reduced by one-third.

ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS:

American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP), American Electric Power owns more than 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States and is the nation's largest electricity generator. AEP is also one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with more than 5 million customers linked to AEP's 11-state electricity transmission and distribution grid. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio. ( http://www.aep.com/ )

BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP; BBL; ASX, LSE) is the world's largest diversified resources company. BHP Billiton has 35,000 employees working in more than 100 operations in approximately 20 countries. BHP Billiton is an industry leader in major commodity businesses, including aluminium, energy coal and metallurgical coal, copper, ferro-alloys, nickel, iron ore, uranium, nickel and titanium minerals and has substantial interests in oil, gas, liquefied natural gas, diamonds and silver. For the 2005 fiscal year, the company generated turnover of US$31.8 billion, earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of US$9.3 billion and available cash flow of US$8.7 billion. As of 19 August 2005, BHP Billion's market capitalization was US$92 billion. ( http://www.bhpbilliton.com/ )

Battelle is one of the world's largest non-profit, private research and development institutions. It develops new technologies, commercializes products, and provides solutions for industry and government ranging from pharmaceuticals and medical product development, to innovations for the energy, automotive, chemical and agrochemical industries. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle has annual revenues of $1 billion and more than 60 locations throughout the world. ( http://www.battelle.org/ )

CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CNX) is the largest producer of high-Btu bituminous coal in the United States, and one of the largest exporters of U.S. coal. CONSOL Energy has bituminous coal mining complexes in six states. CONSOL produces both high-Btu coal and gas, which collectively fuels two- thirds of all U.S. power generation from reserves located mainly east of the Mississippi River. CONSOL Energy is a major fuel supplier to the electric power industry in the northeast quadrant of the United States. CONSOL Energy has expanded the use of its vast property holdings by developing various industrial and retail development projects and overseeing timber sale and forestry management activities both in the United States and abroad. The company also maintains private research and development facilities devoted exclusively to coal and energy utilization and production. ( http://www.consolenergy.com/ )

Foundation Coal (NYSE:FCL) is the nation's fifth largest coal producer, with annual production of approximately 67 million tons of coal and controls approximately 1.8 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves. Its affiliates operate mines in the Powder River, Illinois, Northern Appalachia and Central Appalachia basins. Foundation supplies coal to more than 80 customers across the country. ( http://www.foundationcoal.com/ )

Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU) is the world's largest coal company, with 2004 sales of 227 million tons and $3.6 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel more than 10 percent of all U.S. electricity and 3 percent of worldwide electricity. Peabody serves customers in more than 15 countries on five continents, and leads all coal companies with 9.6 billion tons of coal reserves. The company is serving global coal demand for electricity generators and steelmakers, and is growing to serve new global customers and emerging "Btu Conversion" markets. Peabody promotes continuous environmental improvement through coal mining and coal use and is advancing the next generation of clean coal technology through development of mine-mouth electricity generating stations that will be among the cleanest coal plants in America. ( http://www.peabodyenergy.com/ )

Rio Tinto (NYSE:RTO) is a world leader in finding, mining and processing the earth's mineral resources, operating in 20 countries with approximately 33,000 employees. The Group's worldwide operations supply essential minerals and metals that help to meet global needs and contribute to improvements in living standards. Rio Tinto is a major producer of energy products such as low-sulfur coal for power plants, metallurgical coking coal and uranium oxide. Other products include copper, aluminium, iron ore, industrial minerals, diamonds and gold. In order to deliver superior returns to shareholders over time, Rio Tinto takes a long term and responsible approach to the Group's business. In 2004, Rio Tinto's earnings were US$2,221 million, with nearly US$16 billion in operating assets. Rio Tinto is committed to helping develop low GHG emissions pathways that will allow its products to continue to meet the needs of society. Promoting the advancement of clean coal technology is just one of the ways in which this effort is being carried out. The majority (54%) of Rio Tinto's operations are located in North America and Australia. ( http://www.riotinto.com/ )

Kennecott Energy Company is part of the Rio Tinto Group. KEC operates five coal mines in the western United States: the Antelope, Cordero Rojo, and Jacobs Ranch mines in Wyoming's Southern Powder River Basin; the Spring Creek mine in Montana; and the Colowyo Coal Company in northeastern Colorado. The company's other holdings include a 50/50 joint venture interest in Decker Coal, a Montana coal producer. ( http://www.kennecottenergy.com/ )

Southern Company (NYSE:SO) has more than 4 million customers and nearly 39,000 megawatts of generating capacity. Southern Company is the premier super-regional energy company in the Southeast and a leading U.S. producer of electricity. Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states, a growing competitive generation company, an energy services business and a competitive retail natural gas business, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are 15 percent below the national average.

In Wilsonville, Alabama, Southern Company hosts the Power Systems Development Facility (PSDF), which is the nation's premier facility for testing innovative power generation and emission control systems. Operation of PSDF is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy / National Energy Technology Laboratory, Southern Company; EPRI; Kellogg, Brown and Root; Peabody Energy; Burlington Northern and Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation. ( http://www.southerncompany.com/ )

PRESS CONTACTS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS:

Fredrick D. Palmer
Senior Vice President - Government Relations
Peabody Energy
(314) 342-7624

Pat Hemlepp Ellen Ewart
Director Vice President
Corporate Media Relations Investor and Media Relations
American Electric Power Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc.
(614) 716-1620 (410) 689-7632

Katy Delaney Vic Svec
Battelle Vice President
(614) 424-5544 Public and Investor Relations
Peabody Energy
Patrick Cassidy (314) 342-7768
Director of Public Affairs
BHP Billiton Marcelle Shoop
(713) 961-8517 Rio Tinto / Kennecott Energy
(202) 393-0232
Thomas F. Hoffman
Vice President Tiffany Gilstrap
External Affairs Media Relations
CONSOL Energy Inc. Southern Company
Phone: (412) 831-4060 (404) 506-5333
(866) 506-5333 toll free

Source: FutureGen Industrial Alliance

CONTACT: Fredrick D. Palmer, Senior Vice President - Government Relations
of Peabody Energy, +1-314-342-7624, Pat Hemlepp, Director, Corporate Media
Relations of American Electric Power, +1-614-716-1620, Katy Delaney of
Battelle, +1-614-424-5544, Patrick Cassidy, Director of Public Affairs of BHP
Billiton, +1-713-961-8517, Thomas F. Hoffman, Vice President External Affairs
of CONSOL Energy Inc., +1-412-831-4060, Ellen Ewart, Vice President, Investor
and Media Relations of Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc., +1-410-689-7632, Vic
Svec, Vice President of Public and Investor Relations of Peabody Energy,
+1-314-342-7768, Marcelle Shoop of Rio Tinto - Kennecott Energy,
+1-202-393-0232, Tiffany Gilstrap, Media Relations of Southern Company,
+1-404-506-5333, +1-866-506-5333 toll free

Web site: http://www.aep.com/
http://www.bhpbilliton.com/
http://www.consolenergy.com/
http://www.foundationcoal.com/
http://www.peabodyenergy.com/
http://www.riotinto.com/
http://www.kennecottenergy.com/
http://www.southerncompany.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Cooper Power Systems, Inc. Increases Production of Envirotran(TM) Transformers to Assist Hurricane Katrina Recovery Efforts

2005-09-13T04:19:00.000-07:00

Cooper Power Systems, Inc. Increases Production of Envirotran(TM) Transformers to Assist Hurricane Katrina Recovery Efforts

Bio-based transformer can minimize the potentially damaging impact of hazardous materials in hurricane-vulnerable areas

WAUKESHA, Wis., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- To facilitate the rebuilding of electrical infrastructure in areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina, Cooper Power Systems reported today that it has increased production of all transformers, in particular Envirotran(TM) EF transformers, to meet anticipated high demand. Envirotran EF transformers are filled with Envirotemp(R) FR3(TM) fluid, a bio- based transformer oil made from soybeans that can minimize the potentially damaging impact of hazardous material in hurricane-vulnerable areas.

Cooper Power Systems is giving priority to the new orders associated with the Katrina rebuild effort. "This is a time when we all need to take steps to assist in the recovery of the Gulf region," said Henry Hecker, director, Transformer Products, Cooper Power Systems. "Cooper Power Systems is reserving production and product planning space to specifically meet the needs of those utilities involved in rebuilding the affected areas. By supplying transformers filled with FR3 fluid, we can assist the utilities to rebuild their system in a manner that is friendlier to the environment."

Envirotemp FR3 fluid would not detrimentally contribute to the mix of chemicals spilled during natural catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina. In addition, the high fire point of FR3 fluid greatly reduces the likelihood of a fire occurring in association with a failed transformer. There have been no recorded fires from Envirotemp FR3 fluid, the fluid used in Envirotran EF transformers.

Petroleum is the base fluid for traditional mineral oil-based transformers, which represent the majority of transformers damaged or destroyed in the states affected by Hurricane Katrina. Reports indicate that Hurricane Katrina knocked out 90% of the petroleum production in the Gulf region and a significant portion of the nation's refining capacity. Even a partial conversion by utilities to the use of bio-based oil in transformers will reduce demand for petroleum, not only at times when supply is tight, but also on an ongoing basis.

Envirotemp FR3 fluid is a renewable energy source that's grown domestically and lessens the country's dependence on foreign oil. Manufactured from edible seed oils, FR3 fluid meets the Environmental Protection Agency's "Ultimate Biodegradability" classification, permitting alternative spill response procedures such as natural bio-remediation. Both Factory Mutual approved and an Underwriters Laboratories classified less- flammable fluid, it has the highest flash/fire points in the industry.

As an additional benefit, FR3 fluid extends transformer paper insulation life five to eight times. The increased insulation life translates to extended and enhanced transformer life, and the ability to carry higher loads during peak demand periods without leading to premature insulation failure. The enhanced performance allows utilities to manage their assets more profitably and forestall costly capital expenditures.

High Temperature Superconductor Power Grid Stabilization Product Recognized for Technical Excellence -- Selected for R&D 100 Award

2005-09-13T04:06:00.000-07:00

High Temperature Superconductor Power Grid Stabilization Product Recognized for Technical Excellence -- Selected for R&D 100 Award

Developed by American Superconductor in Collaboration with Tennessee Valley Authority, SuperVAR(R) Grid Stabilization Product Serves as "Shock Absorber" for Transmission Grid

WESTBOROUGH, Mass., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ:AMSC), a leading electricity solutions company, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation's largest public power provider, today announced that the SuperVAR(R) dynamic synchronous condenser has been selected by R&D Magazine as one of the most technologically significant products introduced over the past year. The SuperVAR dynamic synchronous condenser, which has been recognized for this achievement with the prestigious R&D 100 Award, is a breakthrough product that stabilizes grid voltages, increases service reliability and can help maximize transmission capacity.

Developed by American Superconductor in collaboration with TVA, SuperVAR machines are dynamic synchronous condensers, which are rotating machines, much like motors and generators. They utilize superconductor technology and serve as "shock absorbers" for the grid, dynamically generating or absorbing reactive power (measured in volt-amperes-reactive or VARs).

"In today's digital economy, keeping voltage levels constant and stable is vital," said TVA Executive Vice President of Transmission/Power Supply Terry Boston. "That's what our customers expect, and we believe that's what this new technology will help us deliver. SuperVAR machines will help protect the transmission system from voltage fluctuations and help ensure TVA's continued delivery of affordable, reliable power to the people of the Tennessee Valley."

TVA installed American Superconductor's advanced prototype SuperVAR synchronous condenser at an electrical substation serving a steel mill operated by the Hoeganaes Corporation in Gallatin, Tennessee in August 2004. The SuperVAR machine helps stabilize voltage on TVA's grid by injecting or absorbing reactive power to minimize the sudden and large voltage fluctuations caused by the steel mill during operation of its arc furnace.

"We are delighted to accept this award that recognizes the importance of high temperature superconductor technology in increasing the reliability of electric power transmission," said Greg Yurek, president and CEO of American Superconductor. "This is particularly timely since the Energy Policy Act of 2005, recently signed by President Bush, highlights the need for increased investment in the reliability and modernization of the nation's transmission grid, including mandatory reliability standards. We expect SuperVAR machines to play a substantial role in meeting the new and enforceable reliability standards."

About the R&D 100 Awards

The R&D 100 Awards, now in its 43rd year, names the most innovative new products introduced into the market over the past year as selected by a panel of independent judges and editors of R&D Magazine with superior expertise and long experience in the areas they are judging. The Chicago Tribune has described these prestigious awards as "the Oscars of Invention." This year's R&D 100 Awards will be featured in the September issue of R&D 100 magazine and will be awarded at a Chicago banquet on October 20th.

About Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

TVA is the nation's largest public power provider and is completely self- financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.6 million consumers in seven southeastern states. More information is available at http://www.tva.gov/.

About American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ:AMSC)

AMSC is the world's principal vendor of high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire and large rotating superconductor machinery, and it is a world- leading supplier of dynamic reactive power grid stabilization products. AMSC's HTS wire and power electronic converters are at the core of a broad range of new electricity transmission and distribution, transportation, medical and industrial processing applications, including dynamic reactive power grid stabilization solutions, large ship propulsion motors and generators, smart, controllable, superconductor power cables and advanced defense systems.

The company's products are supported by hundreds of patents and licenses covering technologies fundamental to Revolutionizing the Way the World Uses Electricity(TM). More information is available at http://www.amsuper.com.

American Superconductor and design, AMSC, POWERED BY AMSC, and Revolutionizing the Way the World Uses Electricity are trademarks of and SuperVAR is a registered trademark of American Superconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners

Any statements in this release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, including statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will" and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to obtain anticipated funding from corporate and government contracts, to successfully develop, manufacture and market commercial products, and to secure anticipated orders; the risk that a robust market may not develop for the Company's products; the risk that strategic alliances and other contracts may be terminated; the risk that certain technologies utilized by the Company will infringe intellectual property rights of others; the competition encountered by the Company, including several large Japanese companies. Reference is made to these and other factors discussed in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation" section of the Company's most recent quarterly or annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this release. While the Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's views to change, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date this press release is issued.

Contact Information

Media Wanda Whitson 508-621-4454
American Superconductor wwhitson@amsuper.com

Media Myra Ireland 423-751-7153
TVA mhireland@tva.gov

Investors Kevin Bisson 508-621-4220
American Superconductor investor@amsuper.com

Source: American Superconductor Corporation

CONTACT: Media: Wanda Whitson of American Superconductor, +1-508-621-
4454, wwhitson@amsuper.com; or Media: Myra Ireland of TVA, +1-423-751-7153,
mhireland@tva.gov; or Investors: Kevin Bisson of American Superconductor, +1-
508-621-4220, investor@amsuper.com

Web site: http://www.amsuper.com/
http://www.tva.gov/
http://www.amsuper.com/

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Profile: Utilities

OG&E Says Electric System Reliability Jeopardized By Proposals

2005-09-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

OG&E Says Electric System Reliability Jeopardized By Proposals

OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- OG&E today said filings made at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission by two state agencies and an industrial energy users' group are short-sighted and would jeopardize the long-term reliability of the electric system. The filings were in response to the company's request for an $89 million rate increase to recover major investments in electric system reliability.

"There seems to be plenty of agreement that OG&E needs to invest in reliability," said OG&E spokesman Brian Alford. "But now it appears they think no one should have to pay for it."

OG&E in 2003 embarked on a program to systematically replace and upgrade aging equipment and accommodate growing demand for electricity. In the last two years, the company has invested an unprecedented $600 million in needed improvements to the electric system. The company acquired the highly efficient McClain power plant in 2004, and also invested more than $400 million in other capital improvements for system reliability.

Without an adequate rate increase, the company said that it would be forced to dramatically reduce its investment in system reliability and other vital services.

The PUD staff recommended a rate increase of $13 million, one-seventh the amount requested by OG&E in its May 20 application.

"We are very disappointed by the PUD staff's proposal," Alford said. "It is a penny-wise, pound-foolish approach to reliability. Our customers tell us that reliable service is a high priority for them; however, the staff's recommendation is far below the amount necessary for maintaining and strengthening an electric system."

A preliminary review of the proposal from the Texas-based utility consultant used by the state Attorney General's staff appears to indicate a recommended $15 million rate cut -- an irresponsible proposal, according to OG&E spokesman Brian Alford. The OIEC also recommended a rate cut of $31 million.

"The proposals from both the Attorney General's consultant and the OIEC seem to say, 'don't invest in Oklahoma, or you will be punished,'" Alford said. "At the very least, they are advocating positions that are inconsistent with their earlier agreement that OG&E should acquire additional electric generating capacity. Did they expect to get this for free? They are being unrealistic and irresponsible."

Alford added that the OIEC, which represents only a few very large companies, including oil refineries and large manufacturers, has a self- serving interest. "Their proposal seems to ignore reliability and instead focuses entirely on preserving their low electric rates, which are subsidized by small businesses."

Based on today's filings, Alford said a settlement of the rate case appears highly unlikely due to the vast differences between the parties. A hearing at the OCC is scheduled Oct. 10.

OG&E on May 20 filed an application with the OCC that would provide fair and reasonable recovery of system reliability investments including a new power plant as agreed to by PUD staff, the Attorney General and the OIEC in 2002. OG&E also seeks to adjust the electric rate structure to provide lower rates for 80,000 small businesses, churches and non-profit organizations, with an average reduction of about 7 percent. A special rate class is proposed for schools that could help them reduce their costs.

OG&E's plan limits the average residential rate increase to about $3 per month. The rate increase for large industrial customers would average about 10 percent.

In addition to the rate changes, OG&E proposes a new assistance program for low-income customers, and offers residential and small-business customers a Guaranteed Flat Bill option that ensures their bill is the same every month. Lower rates also are proposed for Tinker Air Force Base.

OG&E is a regulated electric utility serving approximately 740,000 customers across a service area spanning 30,000 square miles in Oklahoma and western Arkansas. The company is a subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE:OGE), which also is the parent company of Enogex Inc., a natural gas pipeline business with principal operations in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Source: OGE Energy Corp.

CONTACT: Brian Alford, +1-405-553-3187, or financial, Todd Tidwell,
+1-405-553-3966, both of OGE Energy Corp.

Web site: http://www.oge.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Duke Energy Pledges $2.5 Million for Climate Change Policy Partnership

2005-09-12T14:03:00.000-07:00

Duke Energy Pledges $2.5 Million for Climate Change Policy Partnership

This new industry-university collaboration is designed to develop policies that address the problems of global climate change

DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) has pledged $2.5 million to Duke University to support the Climate Change Policy Partnership -- a new industry-university collaboration that will develop policies to address the problems of global climate change, Duke University President Richard H. Brodhead announced today.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040414/DUKEENERGYLOGO)

The new partnership will pool the expertise of Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Center on Global Change and Duke Energy, as well as other corporate and academic partners from across the Southeast, Brodhead said.

Duke Energy's gift will come in two segments: $1.5 million to fund Phase I of the partnership, expected to be completed by January 2007; and an additional $1 million to fund Phase II, which depends on the successful completion of the first phase and the recruitment of other corporate partners.

During the partnership's first phase, researchers will assess the environmental and economic costs and benefits of federal policy options for addressing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which most scientists view as the cause of global warming.

These policies include market-based cap-and-trade programs and a nationwide tax on the carbon content of fossil fuels. Cap-and-trade programs are those that set overall authorized caps on emissions for sources and allow the buying and selling of those emissions authorizations. Researchers at the Nicholas Institute will lead these initiatives.

Researchers at the Center on Global Change will assess the potential for using carbon sequestration to store atmospheric carbon dioxide in forests, soils or underground reservoirs.

The Climate Change Policy Partnership will fund more than 30 Duke Energy Research Fellowships for graduate students from Duke and other North Carolina universities to work with researchers on these projects.

Partners will share findings with government, corporate and environmental leaders nationwide, including the North Carolina Climate Change Task Force.

"In the absence of mandatory federal policy, many corporations and state governments are moving forward with their own climate change initiatives and corporations face questions every day, including those involving long-lived investments, with little understanding on how the country will proceed on this issue," said Paul M. Anderson, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Duke Energy, which is a founding participant in the Nicholas Institute.

"A cohesive approach, informed by sound science and economics, is needed to align these efforts," Anderson said.

"Duke Energy and Duke University share a common conviction that the purpose of this partnership must be to apply, not merely accrue, knowledge," said William H. Schlesinger, James B. Duke Professor of Biogeochemistry and dean of the Nicholas School. "Providing decision makers with factual, timely counsel, free of political spin, is critical."

Much of the data used by researchers in the Climate Change Policy Partnership will be specific to North Carolina, but their reports and research findings will have broad applicability to policy considerations at all levels of government.

"Collectively, we have access to decades of data from field studies in North Carolina. This is a remarkable resource for creating the kind of detailed, data-rich scientific model that will be a useful forecasting tool - not only for decision makers here but also in similar states and regions nationwide," said Robert B. Jackson, professor of biology and environmental sciences and director of Duke's Center on Global Change.

Tim Profeta, director of the Nicholas Institute, said, "I cannot think of a better founding participant in the Nicholas Institute than Duke Energy. The leadership shown by Duke Energy and Paul Anderson on global warming is laudable, and we look forward to helping the company decipher the best ways to tackle this generation's greatest environmental challenge."

As the partnership expands and recruits more academic and corporate participants, researchers will begin studies of the carbon-reducing potential of other options such as renewable energy and enhanced vehicle fuel efficiency technologies.

"By expanding the scope of the Climate Change Policy Partnership, we bring more partners to the table and gain a broader perspective of the challenge and opportunities ahead," said Richard J. Osborne, group vice president of public and regulatory policy at Duke Energy.

"We are eager for other partners to join us in this endeavor, particularly those involved in agriculture, forest products, energy and transportation," Osborne said. "A viable policy to address global climate change must encourage reduced carbon emissions from all sources and segments of our economy, not just a few."

For more information, contact: Tim Lucas, Nicholas School of the Environment & Earth Sciences | (919) 613-8084 | tdlucas@duke.edu

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040414/DUKEENERGYLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Duke University

CONTACT: Tim Lucas of Nicholas School of the Environment & Earth
Sciences, +1-919-613-8084, or tdlucas@duke.edu

Web site: http://www.duke-energy.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/257451.html

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Profile: Utilities

Progress Energy CFO Hosts Conference Call on Florida Rate Case Settlement

2005-09-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Progress Energy CFO Hosts Conference Call on Florida Rate Case Settlement

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Progress Energy (NYSE:PGN) will conduct a conference call with analysts on Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. ET to discuss the company's recent rate case settlement in Florida. Geoff Chatas, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will host the call.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c)

Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing 913-312-1298, confirmation code 3630334. Should you encounter problems, please contact Tammy Blankenship at 919-546-2233. A playback of the call will be available from 1 p.m. ET Sept. 15 through midnight Sept. 29, 2005. To listen to the recorded call, dial 719-457-0820 and enter confirmation code 3630334.

A webcast of the live conference call will be available at http://www.progress-energy.com/. The webcast will be available in Windows Media format. The webcast will be archived on the site for those unable to listen in real time.

Progress Energy (NYSE:PGN), headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 250 diversified energy company with more than 24,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. The company's holdings include two electric utilities serving more than 2.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. Progress Energy also includes nonregulated operations covering generation, energy marketing, natural gas production, fuel extraction and broadband capacity. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at http://www.progress-energy.com/.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Progress Energy

CONTACT: Investor Relations, Bob Drennan, +1-919-546-7474, or
Corporate Communications, Garrick Francis, or Keith Poston, +1-919-546-6189,
or toll-free +1-877-641-NEWS (6397), all of Progress Energy

Web site: http://www.progress-energy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Avista Utilities Requests Natural Gas Price Adjustment in Washington and Idaho

2005-09-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

Avista Utilities Requests Natural Gas Price Adjustment in Washington and Idaho

New rates reflect the higher cost of wholesale natural gas and would become effective Nov. 1

SPOKANE, Wash., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to dramatic increases in wholesale natural gas costs, Avista Corp. (NYSE:AVA) filed requests today with state utility commissions in Washington and Idaho to pass through those increased costs to its customers. To track the ups and downs in the cost of wholesale gas, Avista annually files purchased gas cost adjustments (PGAs). Avista does not profit from these higher gas commodity prices because they are passed through directly, without markup, to consumers. Avista has requested an overall increase in gas revenues of approximately $15.7 million in Idaho, or 23.8 percent, and $38.6 million in Washington, or 23.5 percent to offset the higher cost of purchasing natural gas to serve its customers. Avista has asked that the filings become effective in both states on Nov. 1, 2005.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040128/SFW031LOGO )

In Washington, a residential customer using an average of 70 therms per month would see an average increase of $16.39 per month, or about 23.5 percent. The total bill for 70 therms including the increase would be $86.04. In Idaho, a residential or small business customer using an average of 70 therms per month would see an average increase of $16.36 per month, or about 23.4 percent. The total bill including the increase would be $86.36.

Natural gas prices have risen dramatically in the last five years. As oil prices have reached new highs, average U.S. wholesale natural gas prices tripled between December 2000 and the end of 2004. The proposed rates in today's filings reflect wholesale natural gas prices 40 percent higher than prices of just a year ago.

Nationally, wholesale prices for this coming winter have risen substantially due in part to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the energy production in the Gulf of Mexico. However, today's filings do not include any of the price impact from Hurricane Katrina. Any lasting effects of Hurricane Katrina on natural gas prices would be reflected in future Avista PGA filings. The Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration projects a national average increase of 52 percent for natural gas customers this winter.

Avista employs a number of strategies to minimize the impact of higher gas prices, notably through resource planning efforts and price hedging programs. Strategies include demand-side activities such as promoting energy efficiency, supply side actions such as contracting for additional pipeline capacity, and the development of new resources.

Customer Programs

Avista recognizes the impact of price increases on its customers, especially on those who have the most difficulty paying their energy bill. In addition to working to control the cost of providing service, Avista's ongoing commitment to customers also includes support of Project Share, an energy assistance program. In 2004, Avista customers contributed more than $326,000 to Project Share, and Avista contributed an additional $215,000. These contributions helped 3,454 households in the region with their energy bills.

In 2001, the WUTC approved Avista's Low Income Rate Assistance Program (LIRAP). This program includes a tariff rider charge for electricity and natural gas that provides approximately $3 million per year for energy assistance for qualified Avista customers in Washington state. Nearly $9 million in energy assistance has been distributed to Avista's Washington customers since LIRAP began.

Some of the other customer programs offered by Avista include CARES, a program assisting those who face challenges paying their bills; Comfort Level Billing, a plan that averages annual energy bills into equal monthly payments; and ongoing energy conservation and efficiency programs available to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Avista also offers rebates for residential weatherization (wall, floor, ceiling, ducts) and high efficiency water heaters and furnaces. The company offers energy conservation education and energy use guides to help customers reduce energy costs on a long-term basis and get the most value for their energy dollar.

For more information on conservation tips, energy assistance programs, and bill payment plans, customers may visit www.avistautilities.com or call Avista at (800) 227-9187.

Avista serves approximately 135,000 natural gas customers in Washington, and 66,000 in Idaho.

Utility Commission Review

These requests to increase natural gas rates are subject to public review and a decision by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. Customers may contact the commissions for additional information about these filings.

The WUTC is accepting public comment on these filings by mail at 1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W., P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250 or by phone at (800) 562-6150. The IPUC is accepting public comment by mail at 472 W. Washington, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or by phone at (208) 334-0300. Copies of the proposed tariff changes are available in the company's offices and the offices of the state utility commissions.

Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is a company operating division that provides service to 330,000 electric and 285,000 natural gas customers in three western states. Avista's non-regulated subsidiaries include Avista Advantage and Avista Energy. Avista Corp.'s stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com.

Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040128/SFW031LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Avista Corporation

CONTACT: Media: Catherine Markson, +1-509-495-2916 or
catherine.markson@avistacorp.com, Investors: Jason Lang, +1-509-495-2930 or
jason.lang@avistacorp.com, or Avista 24/7 Media Access, +1-509-495-4174, all
of Avista Corp.

Web site: http://www.avistacorp.com/

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Profile: Utilities

MidNet Announces Marketing Campaign For Mediaphone Services On The Middle Network(TM)

2005-09-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

MidNet Announces Marketing Campaign For Mediaphone Services On The Middle Network(TM)

Better World Communications To Offer Progressive Mediaphone Applications

RENO, NV, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MidNet, Inc. (OTCBB: MIDX - News) announced today that Better World Communications (BWC) will begin marketing a customized version of the mediaphone for secure VOIP communications over The Middle Network.

BWC anticipates significant growth in video-based communications and will leverage the security features built into The Middle Network to resolve the privacy shortcomings of typical video and Voice-Over-IP solutions. Experts continue to warn that video and voice communications over the Internet are subject to the same security risks as email. BWC believes that MidNet provides the solution to these issues.

BWC will use its 76 years of vast marketing resources to promote mediaphones. Mediaphones and their related services will be discounted, and in some cases free, to end-users who agree to receive targeted advertising. The Middle Network's device authentication system will also allow BWC to provide polling data to groups such as non-profit organizations, market research firms and political parties, while maintaining end-user privacy. BWC has secured an initial $1.5 million advertising budget to promote these services. BWC will provide mediaphones directly to end-users and end-user groups, as well as through personal computer and software bundles with third-party manufacturers.

According to Beryl Wolk, Co-Founder of Better World Communications, "We will use our significant marketing resources to establish new and exciting markets for mediaphones. Personal multimedia communications is the next major wave in telecommunications, and once enhanced with opt-in targeted advertising, we will be able to drive down end-user costs. Secured communications are imperative for the development of a better world. By improving features and reducing costs, we can accelerate the adoption of these revolutionary services."

According to Tilo Kunz, MidNet's president and CEO, "Only through application service providers such as Better World Communications will end- users be able to receive advanced communication services. MidNet is excited by the prospects offered by this relationship, and embraces the opportunity to participate in this marketing campaign."

About Better World Communications

Better World Communications was formed to provide advanced multimedia communication services. One of its owners, the Internet Marketing Consortium (IMC), has established 700 joint ventures to date, and advertises through radio, television, newspapers, magazines and the Internet to 100 million households. IMC has 110 million opt-in email recipients, with 1.25 billion hits per month.

About MidNet, Inc.

MidNet is the creator, owner, and operator of The Middle Network, the secured commercial complement to the Internet. The Middle Network provides high-speed, high-capacity private digital connectivity to organizations and individuals, who wish to create, manage and distribute valuable intellectual properties, and communicate more effectively.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements made in this press release are forward-looking and are based on current expectations that are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks, and actual results may differ materially. The uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, the ability of MidNet or the company to execute effectively its business plan, changes in the market for MidNet's proposed network services, changes in stock and business market activity, realization of anticipated customers, seasonality, the development of new products and services, the enhancement of existing products and services, competitive pressures (including price competition), systems failures, economic and political conditions, changes in customer behavior and the introduction of competing products having technological and/or other advantages. Statements made in this document that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements as to beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. The company assumes no obligation to update information concerning its expectations.

For more information about MidNet Inc., please visit www.midnetinc.com or call 1-800-624-1066.

Source: MidNet, Inc.

CONTACT: www.midnetinc.com or call 1-800-624-1066

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Profile: Utilities

Duquesne Light Making Significant Investment in Region, Creating New Jobs

2005-09-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

Duquesne Light Making Significant Investment in Region, Creating New Jobs

State, County and City Officials to Join Company at Groundbreaking Tomorrow

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Morgan K. O'Brien, Duquesne Light president and chief executive officer, will make a major announcement and provide details tomorrow regarding the company's commitment to its customers and the Pittsburgh region.

Scheduled speakers include Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy.

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: 2835 New Beaver Avenue, Pittsburgh 15233

Directions:

Take the Fort Duquesne Bridge to the North Side. Take exit #7A/7B onto PA-65 North toward Ohio River Boulevard. Take the Chateau Street exit. Go 1.2 miles. Continue on Beaver Avenue, which turns into New Beaver Avenue, for 0.6 miles. Turn left onto Doerr Street. Enter the company's Woods Run complex at the guard station, 75 yards on the left. Look for tent next to Transportation Building, on the left, near the end of the parking lot, on the New Beaver Avenue side of the complex.

About Duquesne Light Company

Source: Duquesne Light Company

CONTACT: Joe Balaban of Duquesne Light Company, +1-412-232-6848

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Profile: Utilities

A Greener Tomorrow: TI Digital Signal Controller Helps Australia's Monash University Team Win Future Energy Challenge

2005-09-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

A Greener Tomorrow: TI Digital Signal Controller Helps Australia's Monash University Team Win Future Energy Challenge

Highly Efficient Design Paves Way for Distributed Generation Systems Based on Renewable Energy Sources

HOUSTON, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A team of undergraduate students from Monash University, Victoria, Australia has recently won a $10,000 first-place prize in the 2005 IEEE International Future Energy Challenge (FEC) for their highly efficient power converter solution based on one of Texas Instruments Incorporated (NYSE:TXN) (TI) leading digital signal processors (DSP) -- the TMS320F2810 digital signal controller. The FEC competition, held in Skokie, Illinois, is intended to foster innovative designs of a flexible electrical utility inverter for use in small, distributed generation systems that can ultimately be used in individual buildings and small communities, among other applications. As alternate energy sources such as wind and solar power gain acceptance, solutions such as those developed by Monash University that convert raw energy into usable electricity become increasingly important. For more information on the Monash University winning design see http://fec.eng.monash.edu.au/challenge/

The solution developed by the Monash University team achieved a 90 percent conversion efficiency using a digitally controlled current-fed, push-pull direct current to direct current (DC/DC) converter system to produce a high voltage DC bus from a low voltage DC source, and an H-bridge converter output stage to connect from this DC bus to the alternating current (AC) grid. Both converter stages switch at high frequencies to minimize size and weight and to improve efficiency. Dual F2810 controllers supervise the system, co-operating via a serial communications port to eliminate the need for isolated analog measurement circuitry. This structure also allows sophisticated control strategies to be implemented in software that actively manage energy flow through the converter, to achieve further reduction in size and weight of many passive components.

Students Tap Into Classroom Knowledge and Leading Solutions

"The Future Energy Challenge competition gave the Monash team the chance to leverage the TI controller's inherent high integration level, performance and ease-of-use to create a truly innovative, 'green' power-saving solution," said Grahame Holmes, Associate Professor at Monash University and departmental adviser to the team. "Winning the top prize by applying theoretical classroom knowledge to this important, real-world application has given the team members an exciting opportunity to participate in the growing field of digital power systems."

By designing with TI digital signal controllers and recently announced Fusion Digital Power(TM) line of UCD9K, UCD8K and UCD7K power solutions (see http://www.ti.com/digitalpower ), power supply or inverter designs can tap into a powerful, programmable software platform that not only controls power supply, but offers enhanced features such as intelligent fault management, digital current sharing and active-in rush control. This enhanced capability speeds time to market and reduces overall costs by lowering the part count and improving power supply products' production yields. Better production, in turn, yields better inventory logistics and easier production flow. With power supplies enabled by TI's digital power solutions, end users will see increases in the efficiency and reliability of their end applications and will also enjoy smaller footprints through component integration and the ability to upgrade applications based on next-generation digital power architectures.

The Monash University team competed with 14 additional international universities in the competition sponsored by the IEEE Power Electronics Society. The winning team consisted of ten undergraduate students from the electrical engineering, computer science, and mathematics disciplines: Chris Beckett, John Luo, Praveen Atmuri, Matthew Bull, David Ng, Nirooshan Sachchithananthan, Pascal Su, Damian Ware, Przemyslaw Wrzos and Wang Yui Kong. Associate Professor Grahame Holmes from the Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering department at Monash mentored the team. Monash University is one of the leading universities in TI's world wide university program, which consists of more than 1,000 institutions that utilize TI devices in their research and education programs, for more information on the program, see http://www.ti.com/university .

Digital Signal Controllers from TI

Combining the real-time performance of TI's leading DSP with the peripheral integration, C-language efficiency and ease of use of a microcontroller (MCU), TMS320C2000(TM) controllers integrate up to 265 Kilobytes (KB) of flash memory for simple reprogramming during development and in-field software updates. Optimized control peripherals include PWM generators, programmable general-purpose timers, capture modules for time stamping and glueless quadrature encoder interfaces. The C2000(TM) platform also features up to 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that provide fast conversions -- up to 12.5 MSPS -- for tight control loops. Up to five different on-chip standard communication ports, including CAN, provide simple communication interfaces to hosts, test equipment, displays and other components or networks. For more information on C2000 controllers, see http://www.ti.com/c2000 .

TI Enables Innovation with Broad Range of Controllers

From ultra low power MSP430 and 32-bit general purpose TMS470 ARM7-based MCUs to high performance TMS320C2000 DSP-based digital signal controllers, TI offers designers the broadest range of embedded control solutions. Designers can also accelerate their design to market by tapping into TI's complete software and hardware tools, extensive third party offerings and technical support. For more information on the broad range of TI's controllers, see http://www.ti.com/mcu .

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.

Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com/ .

Trademarks

Fusion Digital Power, C2000, and TMS320C2000 are trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Texas Instruments Incorporated

CONTACT: Stephan Beek of Texas Instruments Incorporated,
+1-281-274-2321, or sbeek@ti.com ; or Lindsey James, +1-713-513-9568, or
ljames@golinharris.com , for Texas Instruments Incorporated. Please do not
publish these numbers or e-mail addresses.

Web site: http://www.ti.com/
http://fec.eng.monash.edu.au/challenge
http://www.ti.com/digitalpower
http://www.ti.com/university
http://www.ti.com/c2000
http://www.ti.com/mcu

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Profile: Utilities

Progress Energy Carolinas Prepares for Hurricane Ophelia, Recalls Crews From Louisiana

2005-09-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

Progress Energy Carolinas Prepares for Hurricane Ophelia, Recalls Crews From Louisiana

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Progress Energy Carolinas is mobilizing hundreds of company personnel in preparation for possible impact from Hurricane Ophelia. The company has recalled most of the 480 line & service and tree personnel that had been deployed to Louisiana to assist in power restoration in areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. They'll join the rest of Progress Energy's personnel who are on standby awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Ophelia.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c )

"We are closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Ophelia and are prepared for whatever impact she could bring to the North Carolina coast," said Lee Mazzocchi, Progress Energy Carolinas' system storm coordinator. "While it's unfortunate we needed to bring crews back from Louisiana, the uncertain track of Ophelia requires that we make sure we have enough resources in place here in North Carolina to respond to any power outages our customers may experience."

Progress Energy has a storm information Web site for customers. The new site, www.progress-energy.com/storm, has information for customers on how to prepare for major storms and what they can do if a power outage occurs as a result of a storm. Customers should log on before the storm hits and print information they can reference during and after the storm.

Progress Energy uses a comprehensive storm plan to ensure quick response to storm damage. The plan includes mobilizing employees to handle increased customer calls, to quickly evaluate storm damage, to coordinate line crew and equipment mobilization, to coordinate materials required for repairs, and to arrange meals and lodging for out-of-town workers.

After severe weather, Progress Energy crews restore power by simultaneously repairing transmission lines, substations and main distribution lines. Once the main power lines and facilities are repaired, crews turn their attention to individual service wires.

Progress Energy customers who experience power outages should call the company's 24-hour outage line at 1-800-419-6356. Using the automated voice- response system moves information quickly and helps accelerate restoration.

Progress Energy offers the following hurricane safety tips:

When the storm threatens
- Check supplies and make sure you have the following items: portable
radio with fresh batteries, flashlight, candles or lamps, matches,
first aid kit, canned or packaged food that can be prepared without
cooking or refrigeration, several days' supply of drinking water (one
quart per person, per day), a full tank of gas in your car and cash.

- Unplug major non vital appliances. Advanced surge-protection systems
will protect your home from most power surges, but will not prevent
damage from a direct lightning strike.

- Pay attention to local television and radio broadcasts for hurricane
position, intensity and expected landfall.

- Prepare for high winds by boarding up or taping windows and other
glass, anchoring objects outside and bracing garage doors.

- Move boats and trailers close to the house and check mooring lines of
boats in the water.

- Put important papers in watertight containers (take them if you
evacuate) and move valuables to upper stories of your home.

- Fill your bathtub with water for sanitary purposes. Because water
conducts electricity, it is not safe to run water during a storm.

- If you know someone who relies on electric powered life-support
equipment, be prepared to move that person to a facility outside of the
storm's projected path to avoid the risk of an extended power outage.

When the storm hits
- Stay indoors in an inside room away from doors and windows, electrical
outlets and water pipes. Don't go out in the brief calm during the eye
of the storm.

- Keep television and radio tuned for information from official sources.
Be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.

- If you evacuate, shut off gas, water and electricity at the breaker
box. Take blankets, first aid supplies and other essential items to the
nearest shelter.

After the storm has passed
- Never go near downed power lines. Always assume they are energized and
extremely dangerous. If someone suffers an electric shock, call 911 or
your local rescue squad immediately. Even minor shocks may cause
serious health problems later.

- Check for electrical damage inside your home, such as frayed wires,
sparks or the smell of burning insulation. If you find damage, don't
turn your power on until an electrician inspects your system and makes
necessary repairs.

- Walk or drive cautiously. Watch out for debris-filled streets and
weakened bridges. Snakes and insects can be a problem.

When operating a generator
- Always operate a generator in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines
and instructions. Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the
output rating of the generator.

- To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, never use a generator indoors or in
attached garages. Only operate the generator outdoors in a well-
ventilated, dry area away from air intakes to the home.

- To avoid electrocution, plug individual appliances into the generator
using heavy duty, outdoor rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for
the appliance load.

- If connecting into the house wiring is necessary on a temporary basis,
homes should have a transfer switch installed by a licensed
electrician. A transfer switch allows your house to receive power
directly from a portable generator as opposed to through the main
circuit breaker normally supplied by Progress Energy. Transfer switches
isolate the circuits supplied by the generator and prevent backfeeding
- inadvertently energizing circuits in both systems.

- Backfeeding can most commonly occur when a generator is connected
directly to the electric panel or circuit in a home. Feeding power back
into the utility system during an outage will energize the transformer
serving the house and could pose a serious threat to line and service
and tree crews working to restore power in the area who may not know
they are working with an energized line.

Progress Energy (NYSE:PGN), headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 250 diversified energy company with more than 24,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. The company's holdings include two electric utilities serving more than 2.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. Progress Energy also includes nonregulated operations covering competitive generation, energy marketing, natural gas exploration and fuel extraction. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at http://www.progress-energy.com/.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Progress Energy Carolinas

CONTACT: Contact: 24-hour media line of Progress Energy Carolinas,
+1-877-641-6397, or +1-919-546-6189

Web site: http://www.progress-energy.com/storm
http://www.progress-energy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Arch Coal Recognized for Cooperative Stewardship in North American Hawk Project

2005-09-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

Arch Coal Recognized for Cooperative Stewardship in North American Hawk Project

WRIGHT, Wyo., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) today announced that Thunder Basin Coal Company's Black Thunder mine received the 2005 Industry Reclamation and Wildlife Stewardship Award for its cooperative stewardship in the tri-national investigation of ferruginous hawk migration.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recognized Black Thunder Mine for its voluntary and proactive efforts to investigate ferruginous hawk migration for future habitat protection at the Hunting and Fishing Heritage Expo awards and sponsors banquet in Casper on Sept. 10.

"Stewardship is an integral part of coal mining, and we're proud that the employees at Black Thunder mine have achieved statewide recognition for their outstanding research efforts," says Kenneth Cochran, president of Arch Coal's Thunder Basin Coal Company. "Our efforts to conserve the ferruginous hawk in Wyoming have been very successful, and very rewarding."

The ferruginous hawk is found throughout western North America. They breed in the U.S. and Canada and winter in the U.S. and Mexico. In addition to Arch Coal, partners of the North American ferruginous hawk project include the Nature Conservancy, Canadian Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, and Commission for Environmental Cooperation. More information on the project can be found at http://www.ferruginoushawk.org/ .

Black Thunder mine, the program's first industry partner, supports conservation of the ferruginous hawk by reclaiming native grasslands, creating nest sites and encouraging prey species, such as the prairie dog and rabbit. Since 2003, the mine has provided personnel as well as financial support to trap and track migratory movements of ferruginous hawks through the use of small GPS transmitters, including a hawk that nested on Black Thunder's reclaimed land.

Arch Coal's Thunder Basin Coal Company oversees 26,000 acres of land in Wyoming, with roughly 15 percent in permanent reclamation. Black Thunder mine employs more than 850 people and produces nearly 10 percent of the nation's annual coal supply.

Arch Coal is the nation's second largest coal producer and mines low- sulfur coal exclusively. Through its subsidiary operations in Wyoming, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Colorado and Utah, Arch provides the fuel for approximately 7 percent of the electricity generated in the United States.

Source: Arch Coal, Inc.

CONTACT: Kim Link, External Affairs of Arch Coal, Inc., +1-314-994-2936

Web site: http://www.archcoal.com/
http://www.ferruginoushawk.org/

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Profile: Utilities

NC Electric Co-Ops Urge People to get Ready for Hurricane Season's Busiest Month

2005-09-12T07:12:00.000-07:00

NC Electric Co-Ops Urge People to get Ready for Hurricane Season's Busiest Month

www.ncemcs.com Website Offers Basic, Potentially Life Saving Knowledge

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- June was the official start of the hurricane season, but September is when tropical storms traditionally unleash their fury in North Carolina. As demonstrated by the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, hurricanes don't just affect those that live on the water. So, North Carolina's Touchstone Energy cooperatives, which serve 2.5 million statewide, offer the following storm preparedness tips as Hurricane Ophelia churns off the coast of NC:

* Develop an evacuation route plan. It should identify the safest routes
and nearby shelters.

* Make sure your family disaster supply kit includes at least one battery
operated radio, flashlights, a first aid kit, non-perishable food, a
three-day water supply, non-electric can opener, medicines, cash and
credit cards.

* Include pets in your planning. Pets aren't always allowed into
emergency shelters. Contact your local humane society to learn the
animal shelters that accept pets during disasters.

* Train family members how to respond after a storm. Children should know
how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or the fire department. They should
know which radio station to listen to for emergency information.

* Know the proper way to protect your windows. Taping windows isn't going
to protect them. Plywood panels are the best, non-permanent solution.
Prepare the boards and windows long before the storm.

* Develop an emergency communication plan in case family members become
separated, a real possibility when adults are at work and children are
in school. Have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state
relative or friend to serve as an emergency contact. After a disaster,
it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the
family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

Preparedness is the best tool during the hurricane season, which runs through November 30. For more extensive hurricane and tropical storm preparedness information, visit www.ncemcs.com. North Carolina's electric cooperatives serve 2.5 million people in 93 of the state's 100 counties.

Source: North Carolina's electric cooperatives

CONTACT: Suzanne Ward of North Carolina's electric cooperatives,
+1-919-645-2430, or suzanne.ward@ncemcs.com

Web site: http://www.ncemcs.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Calpine's Dighton Power Plant Awarded Highest OSHA Safety Recognition

2005-09-12T05:51:00.000-07:00

Calpine's Dighton Power Plant Awarded Highest OSHA Safety Recognition

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Calpine Corporation's (NYSE:CPN) Dighton Power Plant in Dighton, Massachusetts has been designated as a Star Worksite under the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Star certification under the VPP program is OSHA's highest level of recognition of outstanding efforts by an employer and its employees to achieve exemplary occupational safety and health at their worksites.

"Dighton is now the third plant in Calpine's fleet to achieve OSHA Star status," said Calpine Dighton Plant Manager Michael Joyce. "This achievement reflects a great deal of hard work by our local personnel as well as a strong commitment to safety at every level of the Corporation."

OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPPs) are designed to promote effective worksite-based safety and health. Under the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system. OSHA's verification includes an application review and a rigorous onsite evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts.

According to Kyle Dotson, Calpine Vice President and Corporate Safety Officer, "Calpine operates one of the largest fleets of power plants in the U.S., and we are committed to attaining the highest possible standards in all aspects of plant operations, including health and safety, environmental compliance, reliability and profitability. This recognition by OSHA demonstrates that we are succeeding in our efforts to design, build and operate healthy and safe power plants to meet America's energy needs, and we applaud our employees for their commitment to operational excellence."

About Calpine

A major power company, Calpine Corporation supplies customers and communities with electricity from clean, efficient, natural gas-fired and geothermal power plants. Calpine owns, leases and operates integrated systems of plants in 21 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Its customized products and services include wholesale and retail electricity, natural gas, gas turbine components and services, energy management, and a wide range of power plant engineering, construction and operations services. Calpine was founded in 1984. It is included in the S&P 500 Index and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CPN. For more information, visit http://www.calpine.com/ .

This news release discusses certain matters that may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Calpine Corporation ("the Company") and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results such as, but not limited to, (i) the timing and extent of deregulation of energy markets and the rules and regulations adopted on a transitional basis with respect thereto; (ii) the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices for energy, particularly natural gas and electricity; (iii) unscheduled outages of operating plants; (v) a competitor's development of lower cost generating gas-fired power plants; (iv) risks associated with marketing and selling power from power plants in the newly-competitive energy market; and (v) other risks identified from time-to-time in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the SEC, including the risk factors identified in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, which can also be found on the Company's website at www.calpine.com. All information set forth in this news release is as of today's date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update this information.

Source: Calpine Corporation

CONTACT: media, Katherine Potter, +1-408-792-1168, or investors,
Karen Bunton, +1-408-995-5115, ext. 1121, both of Calpine Corporation

Web site: http://www.calpine.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Dycom Industries, Inc. Announces Its Intention to Commence a Dutch Auction Tender Offer to Repurchase Up to 9,500,000 Shares of Its Common Stock

2005-09-12T05:40:00.000-07:00

Dycom Industries, Inc. Announces Its Intention to Commence a Dutch Auction Tender Offer to Repurchase Up to 9,500,000 Shares of Its Common Stock

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dycom Industries, Inc. (NYSE:DY) announced today that it will commence a modified "Dutch Auction" tender offer on Tuesday, September 13, 2005, to purchase up to 9,500,000 shares of its common stock at a price per share not less than $18.50 and not greater than $21.00.

The number of shares proposed to be purchased in the tender offer represents approximately 19% of the Company's currently outstanding shares. The purchase will be financed from the proceeds of an offering by the Company of not less than $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of senior subordinated notes, together with up to $50,000,000 from a combination of amounts borrowed under the Company's credit agreement with various lenders and Wachovia Bank N.A., as agent, and cash on hand. The closing price per share of the Company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, September 9, 2005, was $19.07 per share.

The Company's directors and executive officers have advised the Company that they do not intend to tender any of their shares in the tender offer.

The tender offer will expire at 5:00 PM, New York City time, on Tuesday, October 11, 2005, unless extended by the Company. Tenders of shares must be made on or prior to the expiration of the tender offer and may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the expiration of the tender offer.

On the terms and subject to the conditions of the tender offer, the Company's stockholders will have the opportunity to tender some or all of their shares at a price within the $18.50 to $21.00 per share range. Based on the number of shares tendered and the prices specified by the tendering stockholders, the Company will determine the lowest per share price within the range that will enable it to buy 9,500,000 shares, or such lesser number of shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. All shares accepted in the tender offer will be purchased at the same determined price per share regardless of whether the stockholder tendered at a lower price. If stockholders properly tender and do not properly withdraw more than 9,500,000 shares at or below the determined price per share, the Company will purchase shares tendered at or below the determined purchase price by those stockholders owning fewer than 100 shares, without pro ration, and all other shares tendered at or below the determined purchase price will be purchased on a pro rata basis, subject to the conditional tender offer provisions described in the offer to purchase that is being distributed to stockholders. Stockholders whose shares are purchased in the tender offer will be paid the determined purchase price, net in cash, without interest, promptly after the expiration of the tender offer period.

The tender offer is not contingent upon any minimum number of shares being tendered. The tender offer is, however, subject to a number of other terms and conditions described in the offer to purchase that is being distributed to stockholders, including the closing of an offering by the Company of not less than $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of senior subordinated notes.

None of the Company, its Board of Directors, the Dealer Managers, or the information agent makes any recommendations to stockholders as to whether to tender or refrain from tendering their shares into the tender offer. Stockholders must decide how many shares they will tender, if any, and the price within the stated range at which they will offer their shares for purchase by the Company.

The Dealer Managers for the tender offer are Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Merrill Lynch & Co., and the information agent is Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc. The depositary is Wachovia Bank, N.A. The offer to purchase, letter of transmittal and related documents are being mailed to stockholders of record and also will be made available for distribution to beneficial owners of the Company's common stock. For questions and information, please call the information agent toll free at (866) 203-1198.

THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO BUY OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL SHARES OF DYCOM INDUSTRIES COMMON STOCK. THE TENDER OFFER IS BEING MADE ONLY PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED MATERIALS THAT THE COMPANY WILL SHORTLY BE DISTRIBUTING TO ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND FILING WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED MATERIALS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE VARIOUS TERMS OF, AND CONDITIONS TO, THE TENDER OFFER. STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS MAY OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT ON "SCHEDULE TO," THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT THE COMPANY WILL SHORTLY BE FILING WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AT THE COMMISSION'S WEBSITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV OR BY CALLING GEORGESON SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS INC., THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE TENDER OFFER, TOLL-FREE AT(866) 203-1198. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THESE MATERIALS PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER.

Dycom is a leading provider of specialty contracting services throughout the United States. These services include engineering, construction, maintenance and installation services to telecommunications providers, underground locating services to various utilities, including telecommunications providers, and other construction and maintenance services to electric utilities and others.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the self tender, as contemplated by the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results in the future to differ materially from the results projected or implied in any forward- looking statements contained in this press release. Such risks and uncertainties include: response to the tender offer, market conditions, satisfaction of closing conditions, business and economic conditions in the telecommunications industry affecting our customers, the anticipated outcome of other contingent events, including litigation, liquidity needs and the availability of financing, as well as other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements.

Source: Dycom Industries, Inc.

CONTACT: Steven E. Nielsen, President and CEO, or Richard L. Dunn,
Senior Vice President and CFO, both of Dycom Industries, Inc.,
+1-561-627-7171

Web site: http://www.dycomind.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Gas Expo Shanghai 2005 to Open Soon

2005-09-12T05:31:00.000-07:00

Gas Expo Shanghai 2005 to Open Soon

SHANGHAI, China, Sept. 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (SIEC) announced today that 'Gas Expo Shanghai 2005,' which is hosted by Shanghai World Expo (Group) Co., Ltd., Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Municipal Gas Association will be launched at the Shanghai International Exhibition Center (INTEX) from Sept. 15 to 17, 2005.

This exhibition attracts exhibitors from ten countries and regions including America, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Taiwan and the Hong Kong SAR, with an exhibition area covering over 6,000 square meters. They will display their equipment and technology in the industrial chains of natural gas, urban coal gas and oil gas, including the latest development and appliances for gas air conditioning and distributed CHP.

At present, oil and natural gas represent 39.7% and 23.2% of worldwide energy consumption, respectively. The exploration and development of natural gas has achieved significant growth. In contrast, however, China's usage of natural gas takes up only 2.5% of all energy consumption, much lower than the world level of 23.2% and the Asian level of 10.1%. To accommodate the growing demand for natural gas in China, the natural gas usage is projected to account for 6% of China's energy consumption in 2010 and 10% in 2020, when the usage of natural gas in china will approach or exceed oil use, thus realizing the goal of rational transformation to "highly-efficient, economic, clean and safe" energy consumption.

Shanghai has ranked first among all cities in China for total energy consumption. Due to environmental concerns and in pursuit of maximized energy application, Shanghai has been making efforts to control coal consumption, promote the application of natural gas and optimize energy structures. In 1998, Shanghai made plans for natural gas development, aiming to make natural gas one of the diversified energies for power generation, urban gas, industrial and auto fuels. During the period of the tenth Five-year Plan, Shanghai will invest RMB5.743 billion on the construction and rebuilding of natural gas pipelines and facilities to realize modernized gas use.

Natural gas sales in Shanghai will reach three billion cubic meters by the end of 2005 and the total supply will be eight billion cubic meters in 2010, which will account for 12% of the once-for-all energies, thus realizing the goal of converting most households in the city from coal to natural gas. Meanwhile, to meet the challenge of increasingly tight power supplies, Shanghai will develop gas air conditioning and distributed energy supply system. In this regard, Shanghai will put forward specific standards and the municipality will provide certain subsidies on equipment investment.

Exhibitors from America, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Japan and other countries/regions have attached great significance to the huge natural gas market in China. They will showcase their advanced and characteristic gas adjusters, gas-holding equipment, measuring equipment and technologies. A big number of enterprises will exhibit their latest home use gas appliances, heating systems, ground heating systems, gas and iron and other products that are closely related to the life of common people.

During the exhibition, the 18th world Liquid Oil Gas Forum will also be inaugurated which is an attraction to industry professionals.

About Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (SIEC)

Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (SIEC) is jointly invested by Shanghai World Expo (Group) Co., Ltd. and the Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Shanghai. The SIEC was founded on July 1st, 1984 with the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Trade & Economic Cooperation and the People's Government of Shanghai Municipality.

The SIEC is a full member of Union des Foires Internationales (UFI). With the total exhibition space of 5.8 million square meters, the SIEC has held 500 international exhibitions of various themes and sizes. It also has successfully held a number of solo exhibitions at national level.

"AUTO SHANGHAI", "SHANGHAITEX", "CHINA CYCLE", "FASHION SHANGHAI", "ELE/PT COMM CHINA" are among the first eight exhibitions approved excellent by THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE OF SHANGHAI CONVENTIONAL & EXHIBITION INDUSTRIES.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Dai xianJun, Project Director
Tel: +86-21-62792828 x235
Fax: +86-21-65454124
Email: stanley@siec-ccpit.com

Source: Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (SIEC)

CONTACT: Mr. Dai xianJun, Project Director of Shanghai International
Exhibition Co., Ltd., +86-21-62792828 x235, or fax, +86-21-65454124, or
stanley@siec-ccpit.com

Web site: http://www.siec-ccpit.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Paradigm to Participate in 9th International Conference of the Brazilian Geophysical Society

2005-09-12T03:53:00.000-07:00

Paradigm to Participate in 9th International Conference of the Brazilian Geophysical Society

Jorge Machnizh, Paradigm COO, Will Meet With Clients and Partners

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, September 12/PRNewswire/ -- Paradigm(TM), the premier provider of advanced petroleum
geoscience and drilling technology to the oil and gas E&P industry, announces
its participation in the Ninth International Conference of the Brazilian
Geophysical Society (SBGf), September 11-14, in Salvador Bahia, Brazil. The
focus at the Paradigm booth (#20) will be on Paradigm's advanced product
suite, in particular its industry-leading interpretation and visualization
solutions, and its Geolog(r) log management, correlation and petrophysics
system.

Jorge Machnizh, Paradigm's newly-appointed COO, will visit the
show personally, in order to become acquainted with Paradigm's clients and
partners in the region. "I'm always pleased to visit Brazil, and this is a
wonderful opportunity for me to get a firsthand look at our operation there.
I look forward to meeting with clients, and to exploring new opportunities
with our partners in the region," said Mr. Machnizh.

Carlos Fernandez, Paradigm Managing Director, Latin America,
added, "As a company with a long-term presence in Brazil, we're very happy to
take part in this conference. We look forward to demonstrating the newest
versions of our products to both new and existing customers, and showing how
our advanced technologies can help solve their most challenging E&P tasks."

About Paradigm

Paradigm provides information solutions to the leaders of the
oil and gas industry worldwide. The company has a global network of sales,
service and user support, with 25 offices in 22 countries, serving all major
oil and gas producing provinces in the world. Paradigm's advanced set of
Software Solutions and Integrated Services for prospect generation and
evaluation supports every stage in the oil and gas E&P process, from Data
Processing and Imaging; through advanced Visualization, Interpretation and
Earth Modeling; to Reservoir Characterization and Petrophysics; up to
Petroleum Engineering, Well Planning and Drilling. These solutions are
supported by the Epos Data Management and Interoperability integration
framework.

For further information, please contact: Carlos Fernandez -
carlos@paradigmgeo.com.

The following are trademarks or registered trademarks of Paradigm
Geotechnology B.V. or any of its affiliates (collectively, "Paradigm"):
Paradigm(TM), Geolog(r), the Paradigm logo, and/or other Paradigm products
referenced herein.

Recent press announcements are available on Paradigm's web
site: www.paradigmgeo.com.

Certain statements contained in this media update are
forward-looking in nature. These statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "`believes," "expects," "may," "will,"
"could", "should,'' or "anticipates'' or the negative thereof or comparable
terminology, or by discussions of strategy. The company's business and
operations are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other
factors. Consequently, actual results may materially differ from those
projected by any forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and
other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected
include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) political risk and
uncertainty in the global economy and within the energy sector, (2) regional
conflicts in oil producing countries, (3) future capital expenditures by oil
and gas companies, (4) fluctuations and absolute levels of international oil
prices, (5) the need for increased Company investment to support new product
and new service introductions, (6) the company's ability to raise needed
additional capital, (7) rapid technological changes that could make the
company's products less desirable or obsolete, (8) market acceptance of the
Company's products and services, (9) changes in product sales mix, (10)
product transitions by the Company and its competitors, (11) the impact of
competitive products and pricing, (12) currency fluctuations. The company
makes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in
order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is
made.

Paradigm Media Contacts

Corporate
Nir Zamir
Tel: +44-1483-758-000
nirz@paradigmgeo.com

North and South America
Carmen Comis
Tel: +1-713-393-4833
ccomis@paradigmgeo.com

Asia Pacific
Mona J Poomy
Tel: +60-3-2163-8111
monap@paradigmgeo.com

Europe/Africa/Middle East
Emil Janson
Tel: +44-1483-758119
emilj@paradigmgeo.com

Source: Paradigm Geophysical

Corporate: Nir Zamir, Tel: +44-1483-758-000, nirz@paradigmgeo.com; North and South America: Carmen Comis, Tel: +1-713-393-4833, ccomis@paradigmgeo.com; Asia Pacific: Mona J Poomy, Tel: +60-3-2163-8111, monap@paradigmgeo.com; Europe/Africa/Middle East: Emil Janson, Tel: +44-1483-758119, emilj@paradigmgeo.com

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Profile: Utilities

Galaxy Energy Corporation Provides Update for Romanian Coalbed Methane Well

2005-09-12T03:08:00.000-07:00

Galaxy Energy Corporation Provides Update for Romanian Coalbed Methane Well

DENVER, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Galaxy Energy Corporation (BULLETIN BOARD: GAXI) today provided an interim update for its coalbed methane (CBM) well in Romania.

Hunedoara District, Jiu Valley, Romania

Drilling of the Lupeni South-1 well, the first well on Galaxy's Romanian acreage, recently commenced under a farmout arrangement at no cost to Galaxy. Initial results from the well have been reported as follows:

* The Lupeni South-1 well is presently at a depth of 330 meters and has
produced gas shows within coal seam #3.

* Seam #13 and Seam #14, both secondary targets, also had multiple gas
shows.

* Galaxy and Falcon have jointly determined to run casing and to
commence completion and testing operations.

"We are very pleased with the initial results from our first well in Romania," said Marc E. Bruner, Galaxy's CEO. "The preliminary field results indicate that the amount of methane that is present in these coals is within a generally accepted commercial range, and we look forward to receiving additional field test data and to completion of the well."

Galaxy, through its wholly owned subsidiary Pannonian International Ltd., will retain a 25% working interest in the well. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. has earned a 75% working interest.

Galaxy Energy Corporation is an oil and gas exploration and production company focusing on acquiring and developing coalbed methane and other unconventional natural gas properties in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and other areas that are prospective for natural gas.

This press release consists of forward-looking statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Please refer to the company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for discussions of risks and uncertainties found in Forms 10-KSB (annual report), 10-QSB (quarterly report) and other filings.

Additional information may be found at the Galaxy Energy Corporation Web site, www.galaxyenergy.com, or by calling Brad Long, Investor Relations/Galaxy Energy at (800) 574-4294, Bevo Beaven or Bill Conboy at CTA Public Relations at (303) 665-4200, or Tina Cameron, Renmark Financial Communications at (514) 939-3989.

Web site: http://www.galaxyenergy.com

Source: Galaxy Energy Corporation

CONTACT: Investor Relations - Brad Long of Galaxy Energy ,
+1-360-945-0395, 1-800-574-4294; Bevo Beaven, Vice President-GM, or Bill
Conboy, Senior Account Executive, both of CTA Public Relations, Inc.,
+1-303-665-4200

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Profile: Utilities

Suppliers Need to Offer Specialist Knowledge for Greater Success in the European Industrial Water Outsourcing Market

2005-09-12T01:31:00.000-07:00

Suppliers Need to Offer Specialist Knowledge for Greater Success in the European Industrial Water Outsourcing Market

Rising Confidence from Successful Contracts Boosts Market Growth

LONDON, September 12/PRNewswire/ -- The outsourcing of industrial water and wastewater treatment
facilities is gaining ground across Europe as an increasingly popular option
for end users to effectively manage their on-site water needs and obtain
operational cost savings while focusing on core activities.

The demand for these outsourcing services is expected to
accelerate steadily over the long- term as established contracts and
successful strategies enhance end-user confidence.

"On their part, suppliers will need to establish a good track
record and facilitate continuous interaction and involvement with industrial
end users in order to effectively combat initial resistance and develop
confidence regarding the outsourcing option," explains Frost & Sullivan
(http://water.frost.com) Industry Analyst Suchitra Padmanabhan.

The market for industrial outsourcing in the European water
sector was estimated at $620.0 million in 2004 and will continue to grow
at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0 percent to reach close to
$1 billion in 2011 with France and the United Kingdom offering the maximum
revenue generation opportunities.

With the Benelux region fast becoming an industrial hub in
Europe, successful contracts in the petrochemicals industry in this region
are expected to boost revenues. Due to a strong industrial base, Germany is
also exhibiting immense potential although progress has been slow due to
strong in-house engineering capabilities.

While water treatment and water supply outsourcing has been
stable, the revenue shares of these services have been diminishing due to the
shift towards integrated water management contracts. As a result, wastewater
treatment outsourcing constituted almost 62 per cent of revenues during 2004.

End users in petrochemicals, automotive and chemicals industries are
showing a great interest in outsourcing wastewater treatment due to rising
discharge costs strict effluent norms and increasingly complex effluents
which support demand for specialist support.

In order to sustain demand for outsourcing services in the
long-term, suppliers need to understand the highly cost-conscious nature of
industrial end users across Europe and accordingly, offer solutions at a
fixed competitive price within a contract, whereby operational risks are
fully or partially transferred.

Critical factors for attracting industrial customers also
include accelerated re-engineering benefits, long-term stability from
integrated services, capability to manage multi-site contracts and assistance
in complying with strict environmental standards and regulations.

Given the increasing end-user diversity and specific demands
from each industry, suppliers who are able to cater to the specialist demands
of the market stand to gain significant market share.

"The type of outsourcing contract, its scope and size, depend to a large
extent on the type of end user sector," says Ms. Padmanabhan. "For instance,
demand from petrochemical end users is based more on each individual site due
to the large and independent nature of operations, while in the food and
beverage industry, the demand for outsourcing is fragmented and spread across
several regional sites."

To remain competitive, companies need to offer effective
outsourcing strategies tailored to suit the size of the industrial site, the
type of effluents produced, the local regulations and the nature of the
production process.

There is also growing demand for higher-end and 'integrated
water management' solutions that cater to the site's entire water needs
ranging from water for boiler feed and process water and wastewater treatment
to recycling and reusing wastewater.

"These all-encompassing contracts encourage further expansion
of large service providers that can provide their clients with multiple
technologies, comprehensive know-how and guaranteed efficiency and economy,"
says Ms. Padmanabhan.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides
manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of
the latest analysis of the Outsourcing Opportunities in the European
Industrial Water Sector, then send an e-mail to Magdalena Oberland -
Corporate Communications at magdalena.oberland@frost.com with the following
information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail
address, city, country and source of information. We will send you the
information via email upon receipt of the above information.

Title: Outsourcing Opportunities in the European Industrial Water Sector

Code: B564-15

Background

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering
with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more
than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting,
growth partnership services and corporate management training to identify and
develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that
includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment
community, by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a
unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets,
technologies, econometrics, and demographics.

Media Contacts:

Europe:

Magdalena Oberland
Corporate Communications
P: +44-(0)-20-7915-7876
E: magdalena.oberland@frost.com

Americas:

Trisha Bradley
Corporate Communications
P: +1-210-247-3870
E: trisha.bradley@frost.com

Asia Pacific:

Donna Jeremiah
Corporate Communications
P: +603-6304-5832
E: djeremiah@frost.com

India:

Surbhi Dedhia
Corporate Communications
P: +91-22-2832-4705 Ext: 131
E: sdedhia@frost.com

Australia:

Sharmin Jassal
Corporate Communications
P: +61-2-8247-8900
E: sjassal@frost.com

List of key industry participants: Veolia, SUEZ, RWE / Thames
Water, GE Water, United Utilites, FC Aqualia, Dragados, Fisia Italimpianti,
AWG, BWT, Earth Tech, Black & Veatch, Cadagua, Nuon, KEPPELSeghers, Siemens,
Severn Trent, Bamag, Kellogg Brown & Root, DHV Environment, Infraserv, WTE,
VA Tech Wabag, E.ON, EnBW, Gelsenwasser, Andritz GmbH, Passavant Roediger,
Termomeccanica Ecology, Pridesa etc.

Source: Frost & Sullivan

Media Contacts: Europe: Magdalena Oberland, Corporate Communications, P: +44-(0)-20-7915-7876, E: magdalena.oberland@frost.com; Americas: Trisha Bradley, Corporate Communications, P: +1-210-247-3870, E: trisha.bradley@frost.com; Asia Pacific: Donna Jeremiah, Corporate Communications, P: +603-6304-5832, E: djeremiah@frost.com; India: Surbhi Dedhia, Corporate Communications, P: +91-22-2832-4705 Ext: 131, E: sdedhia@frost.com; Australia: Sharmin Jassal, Corporate Communications, P: +61-2-8247-8900, E: sjassal@frost.com

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Profile: Utilities

Mississippi Power Restoration Update - Day 13

2005-09-11T07:26:00.000-07:00

Mississippi Power Restoration Update - Day 13

GULFPORT, Miss., Sept. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As of 6 p.m. Saturday, Mississippi Power employees and outside workers had finished restoring service to all customers who could receive it, 12 days after the company's electric system was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Nearly 169,000 of the company's 195,000 customers have been restored.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020207/SOCOLOGO )

"This effort was nothing short of miraculous," said Anthony Topazi, President and CEO. "Our employees kept exceeding expectations, and actually got the job done a day faster than our September 11th goal. I cannot be more proud of our employees of Mississippi Power and those from the rest of Southern Company."

More than 9,200 outside linemen, tree trimmers and support personnel came to Mississippi Power's service territory to help with the rebuilding effort. The company estimated that 60-70 percent of its distribution and transmission facilities needed to be replaced or repaired. Workers replaced more than 9,000 poles and restrung nearly 1,000 miles of lines.

As restoration efforts were completed in various areas of the company's service territory, crews were released to assist other companies. More than 6,500 workers have moved on, but Mississippi Power will keep some workers for at least a couple more days to help with work necessary to get the system back to normal and to continue restoring service to customers when they're ready to receive it.

"It will be months before everything is back to the way we'd like it," said Kurt Brautigam, company spokesman. "There are still numerous areas left to rebuild and many more customers to restore whenever they're ready. If there are any customers out there who can receive power and don't have it, we ask that they call us."

Mississippi Power's outage reporting number is 1-800-ITS-DARK (800-487- 3275). To speak with a customer service representative call, 1-800-353-9777.

"It's virtually impossible to describe how many people have played a role in this process," Brautigam said. "It's been a team effort, with all the members of Southern Company as well as the more than 50 companies that sent crews.

"It's been amazing to watch Mississippi pull together in the midst of this crisis. I've heard this being called the 'Mississippi Miracle' and maybe it is. We are truly humbled by the patience and generosity of our customers, and we thank everyone for bearing with us as we undertook the massive task of rebuilding our systems and equipment."

Mississippi Power announces the status of its customer service offices (note changes in bold type).

The following bill payment offices will open September 12: Columbia, Ellisville, Hattiesburg, Leakesville, Lucedale, Lumberton, Picayune, Poplarville, Purvis, Sumrall, Waynesboro, Bay St. Louis, Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Bay Springs

The following bill payment offices are now open: Forest, Heidelberg, Laurel. Meridian, Newton, Quitman, Stonewall, Taylorsville, Union

The following offices will not open until further notice: Biloxi, Gulfport, Moss Point, Pass Christian, Richton, Wiggins

Customers can mail bills to the P O Box address on their bill (P O Box 245, Birmingham, AL 35201)

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, serves 195,000 customers in 23 Southeast Mississippi counties. For more information and daily updates on the company's progress toward restoring service, go to www.mississippipower.com.

With more than 4 million customers and nearly 39,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is the premier super-regional energy company in the Southeast and a leading U.S. producer of electricity. Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states, a growing competitive generation company and a competitive retail natural gas business, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Visit the Southern Company Web site at www.southerncompany.com.

Storm Center News: www.mississippipower.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020207/SOCOLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Southern Company

CONTACT: Media - Kurt Brautigam or Mike Tyndall of Southern Company,
+1-404-506-5333, or +1-866-506-5333; Customer Contact: 1-800-ITS-DARK
(1-800-487-3275), or 1-800-353-9777

Web site: http://www.southerncompany.com/
http:/// www.mississippipower.com

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Profile: Utilities

Staging Areas are Home Away from Home for Restoration Crews

2005-09-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

Staging Areas are Home Away from Home for Restoration Crews

BATON ROUGE, La., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Within hours after the most devastating hurricane to ever hit the country, electric companies from West Virginia to Michigan began rushing crews to help restore power to more than 1.1 million Entergy customers.

While thousands of residents have had to evacuate their homes in southeast Louisiana, Entergy is busy constructing make-shift lodging for thousands of workers that will call Louisiana their home for the next several weeks or even months.

Where once stood empty parking lots are now bustling Tent Cities with 24- hour activity.

The major staging areas in New Orleans are at the Belle Promenade Mall in Marrero, The Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, the Boomtown Casino in Harvey and Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzalez. The Pontchartrain Center houses between 1,500 and 2,000 workers but could increase to 4,000 by the time the lights are turned back on. The other centers house anywhere from 500 to 1,500 utility workers.

Workers sleep in cooled tents or permanent structures that hold several hundred cots. Mobile shower trailers are provided. Caterers serve thousands of hot meals a day and thousands of gallons of coffee.

Some workers are staying in hotels, college dormitories, school gymnasiums, and churches.

"It's like running a hotel," said Matt Flott, Entergy's staging manager at the Belle Promenade Mall staging area while driving his golf cart over the multi-acre compound. "There are a lot of people here working long hours to make sure the workers have good meals and a nice and safe place to sleep and shower. We're trying to keep them as comfortable as possible."

Site managers, like Flott and Joe Catalanotto located at The Pontchartrain Center, estimate it takes hundreds of support personnel to keep the Tent Cities operating.

Caterers are up at 4 a.m. to cook breakfast for crews to eat by 6 a.m. As soon as breakfast is served, box lunches are prepared for the workers to eat in the field, and then it is time to start planning dinner.

Another daunting logistical task includes providing diesel fuel and gasoline to power vehicles and equipment used for the restoration. It's not uncommon for a staging area to receive a shipment of 20,000 gallons in one day. Vehicles are refueled at night so that they will be ready to roll the next morning. "Fueling the trucks is an elaborate process," said Catalanotto. "It involves 20 people and is really something to see."

A medical care trailer staffed by paramedics is also available at the staging areas. Paramedics typically treat several dozen workers a day. Common ailments include heat exhaustion, bee stings, rashes, abrasions, poison ivy and head colds. More serious cases are sent to local hospitals. The paramedics also provide tetanus inoculations on request.

Safety specialists are a constant presence at the staging areas to help ensure the safety of workers on and off the job.

Using staging areas is part of Entergy's emergency response plan.

"We've used the site in the past for several smaller storms," said Catalanotto, "but nothing as big as this."

Entergy serves about one million Louisiana customers through the operating companies Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States, and provides electricity to more than 190,000 customers and natural gas to more than 147,000 customers in Orleans Parish through the operating company Entergy New Orleans. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of over $10 billion and approximately 14,000 employees.

Source: Entergy Corporation

CONTACT: Amy Stallings, +1-225-381-5824, astalli@entergy.com, or James
Thompson, jthomp5@entergy.com, both for Entergy Corporation

Web site: http://www.entergy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Mississippi Power Restoration Update - Day 12

2005-09-10T07:09:00.000-07:00

Mississippi Power Restoration Update - Day 12

GULFPORT, Miss., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mississippi Power employees and outside workers have restored service to 98 percent of the company's customers who can receive power.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020207/SOCOLOGO )

"More than 159,000 of our customers now have power," said Kurt Brautigam, company spokesman. "We should have everyone who can receive power back on by the end of the day today, 12 days after the worst catastrophe in our company's history. Our employees keep exceeding our expectations, and are now restoring service a day faster than our September 11 goal."

The company estimates that approximately 162,000 of its 195,000 customers will be able to receive service during its initial restoration. More than 16,000 customers were restored to service Friday.

Customer restoration totals by division as of 6 a.m. 9/10/05:

Coast 65,625 99%
Pine Belt 56,070 94%
Meridian 37,438 100%

"We estimate there are only 3,000 customers left to reconnect at this point," Brautigam said. "If customers can receive power and don't have it, we ask that they call us so we can get to them."

As restoration is completed in various areas of the company's service territory, crews are being released to assist other companies.

"We're now implementing our exit plan, ensuring that we finish safely and efficiently," Brautigam said. "We're still receiving materials and getting it out into the field to support the crews still working. We're also reducing the staging areas where all the crews have been staying, although some will remain active to support continuing local efforts.

"Many of the Georgia Power crews have already left to prepare for the potential of Ophelia making landfall somewhere near their home areas, which highlights what a team effort this has been with all members of Southern Company. This miracle could not have been accomplished without much effort and support from the employees of our sister companies."

Mississippi Power's outage reporting number is 1-800-ITS-DARK (800-487-3275). To speak with a customer service representative, call 1-800-353-9777.

The company reminds customers not to pile debris around underground utility facilities and transformers, so they're not damaged when piles are removed.

Mississippi Power announces the status of its customer service offices

The following bill payment offices are now open: Forest, Heidelberg, Laurel, Meridian, Newton, Quitman, Stonewall, Taylorsville and Union.

The following offices will not open until further notice: Biloxi, Gulfport, Moss Point, Pass Christian, Richton and Wiggins.

Customers can mail bills to the P.O. Box address on their bill (P.O. Box 245, Birmingham, AL 35201)

Mississippi Power announces procedures for restoring service to damaged homes

In cases where there is no visible damage to the customer's electrical facilities, Mississippi Power will restore service following normal procedures after verifying that all facilities are in good working order.

In cases where there is no visible damage to the customer's electrical facilities but it appears that flood waters have exceeded the height of the electrical receptacles, service will not be restored. If the customer is insistent that repairs have been made and that service should be restored, they can sign a release form that states they understand that they bear responsibility for any physical or property damage that may result from doing so. The customer's circuit breakers will then be turned off and service restored, and it will be the customer's responsibility to turn the circuit breakers back on.

In cases where there is visible damage to the customer's electrical facilities, service will not be restored.

Customer Contact: 800-ITS-DARK (800-487-3275) or 1-800-353-9777

Storm Center News: www.mississippipower.com

Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020207/SOCOLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Southern Company

CONTACT: Kurt Brautigam or Mike Tyndall, both of Southern Company,
+1-404-506-5333 or +1-866-506-5333

Web site: http://www.southerncompany.com/
http://www.mississippipower.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Kazakhstan Calls for Increased U.S. Investment to Help Bring More Oil to Market

2005-09-09T19:07:00.000-07:00

Kazakhstan Calls for Increased U.S. Investment to Help Bring More Oil to Market

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Kazakhstan has the oil resources to help stabilize world oil prices, but needs increased investment to bring transport capacity up to production capacity, the nation's minister of energy said today at U.S.-Kazakh business conference here.

"We have invested billions of dollars over the years to develop and upgrade our pipeline and transport system," said Minister of Energy Vladimir Shkolnik. "Still, we need to improve our ability to move more oil from the Caspian Sea to world markets, and that requires greater investment in this infrastructure."

Kazakhstan has been dependent on Russian pipeline infrastructure to bring oil to market, and is seeking to diversify its exports routes. That includes the BTC pipeline from Baku in Azerbaijan via Georgia and Turkey to the Mediterranean as well as the Kazakhstan-China pipeline, both of which bypass Russian territory.

Shkolnik then cited Kazakhstan's oil production outlook as follows:

-- In 2005, the country expects to produce 1.3 million barrels of oil a
day and 28.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year.

-- By 2010, those figures are expected to climb to 1.8 million barrels a
day and 52.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year.

-- By 2015, the Central Asian nation could produce 3 million barrels of
oil a day and 79.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, which
could make Kazakhstan the world's fifth largest oil producer.

Shkolnik reiterated his nation's commitment to observing strict environmental standards for "extraction" industries such as oil, natural gas and coal, which accounts for 80 percent of the country's electricity production. He also said that Kazakhstan was dedicated to the peaceful use of nuclear power as the third largest producer of uranium with 21 percent of world uranium resources. With an annual production growth rate of 12 percent, Kazakhstan may become the world's largest uranium producer by 2010.

The energy minister said that despite current high energy prices, Kazakhstan was determined to diversify its economy to be less dependent on oil, which accounts for about 27 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Diversification efforts include the development of information technology, pharmaceuticals, alternative energy sources, and other non-extraction industries.

Shkolnik spoke at an economic investment conference title "2005 Kazakhstan Industrial and Innovation Strategy: New Business Opportunities." First Deputy Prime Minister Sauat Mynbayev, Talgat Ablygazin, Kazakhstan Transport & Communications Deputy Prime Minister, and Gosman Amrin, chairman of the Kazakhstan National Innovation Fund, participated in the conference, as did Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif), Paul Simons, deputy assistant secretary of state, Eric Stewart, deputy assistant secretary of commerce and Jeffrey Crowe, U.S. Chamber of Commerce chairman.

U.S. Contact: Jack Powell -- 262.327.0648 (j.powell@group-ibc.com)
European Contact: Anne-Celine Leh -- +33 142.964.600
(a-c.leh@group-ibc.com)

Source: Government of Kazakhstan

CONTACT: U.S., Jack Powell +1-262-327-0648, j.powell@group-ibc.com; or
European, Anne-Celine Leh, +33-142-964-600, a-c.leh@group-ibc.com, both for
the Government of Kazakhstan

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Profile: Utilities

Governor Rendell Encourages Applications for Environmental Excellence Awards

2005-09-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

Governor Rendell Encourages Applications for Environmental Excellence Awards

Award Showcases Energy Efficiency, Indigenous Resource Use, Pollution Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Technological Innovation

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania is constantly encouraging innovation in ways to protect the environment with projects that drive economic growth.

Governor Edward G. Rendell today called on businesses, organizations and individuals who are advancing technological innovations to protect resources while making environmental protection a driver for economic growth to apply for the 2005 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence.

"Pennsylvania has always been a place for innovation," Governor Rendell said. "I have seen firsthand during my travels across the state that Pennsylvania is filled with individuals who have the creativity, drive and spirit to build a very bright and promising future here. This award honors those who have undertaken projects that confront environmental problems in ways that build new businesses, enhance the bottom line and engage residents in a renewed commitment to investing in their communities."

The 2005 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence is open to any Pennsylvania business, governmental agency, educational institution, nonprofit organization, individual or farm that has created or participated in the development of a project that promotes environmental stewardship and economic development in the state.

"Businesses and industries across Pennsylvania are showing that environmental stewardship is not only possible, but profitable as well," Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. "This award honors the contributions of those who have worked hard to find new ways to improve Pennsylvania and enhance quality of life, as well as those who are helping to make clean energy the new cornerstone of the commonwealth's economy."

Eligible projects for 2005 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence must have been completed between Aug. 1, 2004, through July 31, 2005. The project categories for consideration include but are not limited to:

* Environmental Technology Innovation;
* Pollution Prevention and Resource Efficiency;
* Community Revitalization;
* Environmental Education and Outreach;
* Watershed Stewardship;
* Mine Safety; and
* Clean Energy Innovations and Environmental Market Development.

The award program was revised two years ago -- long before concerns about energy supplies that surfaced in the wake of Hurricane Katrina -- to include energy conservation and the deployment of alternative energy sources, priorities for Governor Rendell.

Projects will be evaluated on the following criteria: environmental protection, teamwork, public service, environmental education and outreach, pollution prevention, economic impact and innovative technology.

Winners of the 2005 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence will be presented with a unique award at a press event at the winner's location.

In addition, the winners' projects will be showcased in numerous DEP publications and editorials and highlighted on the department's Web site.

The deadline to submit projects for the 2005 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence is Monday, Oct. 31. To download an application, visit DEP's Web site at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/ and click on the award logo.

CONTACT: Kate Philips
(717) 783-1116

Ana Gomez
(717) 787-1323

Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Kate Philips, +1-717-783-1116, or Ana Gomez, +1-717-787-1323,
both for Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/

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Profile: Utilities

FirstEnergy, Mayors and Other Key Parties Agree on Plan to Freeze Rates in Ohio Through 2008

2005-09-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

FirstEnergy, Mayors and Other Key Parties Agree on Plan to Freeze Rates in Ohio Through 2008

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) today will file on behalf of its Ohio electric utility operating companies -- Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison Company -- a Rate Certainty Plan (RCP) that, if approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), would essentially maintain current electricity prices through 2008. The RCP was developed as a result of concerns about rising fuel prices. A stipulated agreement in support of the plan has been signed by the cities of Cleveland and Akron, along with the Industrial Energy Users - Ohio and the Ohio Energy Group. Also, the Mayor of the City of Parma has agreed to support the stipulation, pending further approval by city council.

According to City of Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, "I'm pleased that FirstEnergy listened to the concerns we and other cities raised about increasing electricity rates at this time. Putting off electricity price increases for the foreseeable future is essential to our efforts to provide basic services in the face of tight city budgets, and will be welcomed by our residents, who are trying to deal with spiraling costs for gasoline, natural gas and fuel oil."

"I'm pleased that we were able to work with our mayors and the other parties on developing an innovative plan that meets the needs of the people we all serve," said Anthony J. Alexander, president and Chief Executive Officer of FirstEnergy. "With the approval of the PUCO, this plan will provide customers with three more years of stable prices without adversely affecting FirstEnergy's financial results."

The RCP would postpone for future recovery fuel and distribution-related increases, which FirstEnergy could have filed for under its current rate plan. In fact, a request to establish a generation charge adjustment rider to recover increased fuel costs had been submitted to the PUCO in May 2005. Under the RCP, recovery of PUCO-approved costs for deferred fuel and these other items would not begin before 2009 -- when the regulated portion of Toledo Edison and Ohio Edison customer bills is expected to drop because recovery of transition costs will have been completed, and transition cost recovery for The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company would be nearing its 2010 completion date.

The RCP also provides an opportunity to apply certain customer credits far earlier than otherwise would have been possible without the plan. These credits would not have been reflected in customer bills until 2008.

If the PUCO approves the RCP, customers will pay essentially the same price for electricity through 2008 that they paid in the 1990s. Ohio Edison base rates are about the same as 1990 levels, and base rates for The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison are about the same as they were in 1996.

Supplemental information is included in a September 9, 2005, letter addressed to the investment community, which is posted on the Investor Information section of FirstEnergy's Web site, www.firstenergycorp.com.

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Its subsidiaries and affiliates are involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, as well as energy management and other energy-related services. Its seven electric utility operating companies comprise the nation's fifth largest investor-owned electric system, based on 4.4 million customers served within a 36,100-square-mile area of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Forward-looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "believe," "estimate" and similar words. Actual results may differ materially due to the speed and nature of increased competition and deregulation in the electric utility industry, economic or weather conditions affecting future sales and margins, changes in markets for energy services, changing energy and commodity market prices, replacement power costs being higher than anticipated or inadequately hedged, the continued ability of our regulated utilities to collect transition and other charges, maintenance costs being higher than anticipated, legislative and regulatory changes (including revised environmental requirements), the uncertainty of the timing and amounts of the capital expenditures (including that such amounts could be higher than anticipated) or levels of emission reductions related to the settlement agreement resolving the New Source Review litigation, adverse regulatory or legal decisions and outcomes (including, but not limited to, the revocation of necessary licenses or operating permits, fines or other enforcement actions and remedies) of governmental investigations and oversight, including by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the United States Attorney's Office and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as disclosed in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, generally, and with respect to the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station outage and heightened scrutiny at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in particular, the availability and cost of capital, the continuing availability and operation of generating units, the ability of our generating units to continue to operate at or near full capacity, our inability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic goals, our ability to improve electric commodity margins and to experience growth in the distribution business, our ability to access the public securities and other capital markets, the outcome, cost and other effects of present and potential legal and administrative proceedings and claims related to the August 14, 2003 regional power outage, the final outcome in the proceeding related to FirstEnergy's Application for a Rate Stabilization Plan (RSP) in Ohio, including, but not limited to, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's acceptance of the September 9, 2005 proposed supplement to the RSP, the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, and other similar factors. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any current intention to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Source: FirstEnergy Corp.

CONTACT: News Media, Ellen S. Raines of FirstEnergy Corp.,
+1-330-384-5808; or Wendy Boerger of City of Cleveland, +1-216-664-2238; or
Mark Williamson of City of Akron, +1-330-375-2538; or Investors, Kurt Turosky
of FirstEnergy, +1-330-384-5500

Web site: http://www.firstenergycorp.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Detroit Edison Sets September-October Line Clearance Schedule

2005-09-09T12:59:00.000-07:00

Detroit Edison Sets September-October Line Clearance Schedule

DETROIT, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Detroit Edison line-clearance crews will be working in more than 20 Southeastern Michigan communities in September and October, continuing their year-round effort to keep trees and branches away from power lines. The utility trims trees to reduce the potential for power outages and to help ensure electric service reliability and safety for customers.

"Tree interference is responsible for about two-thirds of the power outages that occur during storms," said Steve Kurmas, DTE Energy senior vice president, Distribution Operations. "By maintaining a 10-foot clearance between tree branches and power lines, we can reduce the possibility of tree- related power outages."

Detroit Edison tree-trimming crews follow International Society of Arboriculture standards, which are designed to maintain the health of trees. The utility has received the National Tree Line USA Award for quality tree care for 10 consecutive years.

Detroit Edison removes from customer property small branches and debris that result from its line-clearance program. Larger trimmed branches are cut into firewood length and left behind for customer use or disposal.

During a storm restoration process, unscheduled emergency tree trimming sometimes is required to facilitate the safe restoration of electrical service. If electric service has been interrupted because trees have been uprooted or large limbs have fallen on power lines, customers have the responsibility to remove tree debris resulting from such emergency restoration activity.

Customers are responsible for keeping tree branches away from their service drops, the lines that run from utility poles to their homes. Although the voltage running through the service drop is significantly lower than that of pole-to-pole wires, Detroit Edison recommends that customers hire a professional tree service to do this trimming. Visit http://www.my.dteenergy.com/lineclearance to find more information about line clearance and proper tree planting.

In September and October, line-clearance crews will continue or begin work in the following communities:

Livingston County
Brighton
Howell

Macomb County
St. Clair Shores
Warren

Oakland County
Clawson
Commerce Township
Madison Heights
Orchard Lake
Royal Oak
Southfield
West Bloomfield Township

Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor

Tuscola County
Arbela Township
Juniata Township
Millington Township
Tuscola Township
Vassar
Vassar Township

Wayne County
Dearborn
Dearborn Heights
Detroit
Grosse Pointe
Huron Township
Redford Township
Romulus
Van Buren Township
Westland

Source: Detroit Edison

CONTACT: Eileen Dixon, +1-313-235-9154, or Len Singer, +1-313-235-8809,
both of Detroit Edison

Web site: http://www.dteenergy.com/
http://www.my.dteenergy.com/lineclearance

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Profile: Utilities

Georgia Power Preparing for Hurricane Ophelia

2005-09-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

Georgia Power Preparing for Hurricane Ophelia

ATLANTA, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Ophelia lingers off the Atlantic coast, Georgia Power crews are preparing to restore power to customers, should the storm cause damage to the power system in Georgia.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050216/CLW066LOGO )

The hurricane is expected to make landfall along the coast of Georgia or South Carolina some time Monday or Tuesday. Georgia Power's Storm Center is monitoring Ophelia and will coordinate restoration efforts if the storm causes widespread power outages.

The company's storm teams that are currently in Mississippi restoring power after Hurricane Katrina are finishing up that work and returning to Georgia this weekend in anticipation of Ophelia. The remaining crews will report for duty Monday, ready to head to the coast to restore power.

In the event of major power outages, Georgia Power's first priority is to restore electricity to emergency agencies, such as police, fire departments and hospitals. The next priority is to restore power to as many customers as possible with each repair.

Georgia Power will restore power to its customers before assisting other utilities.

If the weather interrupts electrical service, customers may report the outage by calling Georgia Power's Customer Care Center at 1-888-891-0938. This line is answered by an automated system designed to handle power outage calls; however, customers also may talk with a customer service representative. The most efficient way for customers to report outages is to leave all information on this automated system. If you're able to access our web site, you can also report your outage at www.georgiapower.com.

Here are some safety tips for customers to follow when severe weather hits:

* Residents who have a life-threatening medical emergency should call
911.
* Always avoid downed power lines. Any downed line should be considered
energized and therefore dangerous. Report downed lines immediately to
local public safety authorities and stay out of the immediate area.
* Avoid debris lying on the ground or fallen trees that may conceal
downed power lines; make sure there are no downed lines before allowing
children out to play.
* Steer clear of Georgia Power crew work areas. Equipment and energized
lines may be in the area and could create a safety hazard.
* When driving, watch for crews working along the roadways, and obey all
traffic signs and directions around work areas.
* If possible, when leaving your home and power is off, turn off the main
breaker as a precaution to avoid a power surge once the power is
restored.
* Don't attempt to make repairs to Georgia Power's electrical system or
pull limbs off lines as these limbs may contain downed power lines that
are still energized and dangerous. Georgia Power will cut tree limbs
off power lines. However, homeowners are responsible for trees that hit
houses but not power lines.
* Do not connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring.
This can cause serious injury to you and Georgia Power crews working on
lines in your neighborhood. Connect only essential appliances -- such
as freezers and refrigerators -- directly to the generator.
* Be patient. Be assured that Georgia Power crews are working as quickly
and safely as possible to restore power to customers.
* Customers should use extreme caution if using candles during a power
outage. Always keep candles away from flammable objects, and never
leave them burning unattended.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility, serving customers in 57,000 of the state's 59,000 square miles. Georgia Power's 2 million customers are in all but six of Georgia's 159 counties.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050216/CLW066LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Georgia Power

CONTACT: Media Relations Staff of Georgia Power, +1-404-506-7676, or
+1-800-282-1696 (Media Calls Only)

Web site: http://www.georgiapower.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Tampa Electric Files With Florida Public Service Commission for 2006 Fuel Cost Reimbursement

2005-09-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Tampa Electric Files With Florida Public Service Commission for 2006 Fuel Cost Reimbursement

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Facing unprecedented high fuel prices, Tampa Electric today made its required annual filing with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking an increase in its fuel and purchased power rates in 2006. Worldwide and regional conditions have caused substantial increases in the cost of natural gas and oil. Tampa Electric estimates that its expenses for fuel and purchased power will be almost $210 million, or 28% higher than its estimates one year ago. Upon approval, the average Tampa Electric residential customer bill would increase by 10 percent or $9.90 per month. The average 1,000 kilowatt-hour residential customer bill would increase from $98.07 to $107.97 per month beginning in January 2006.

"We are very disappointed that it is necessary to increase the amounts our customers pay. Over the last year we have all seen unprecedented increases in fuel prices at the gas pump, more than 60 percent higher than this time last year. Unfortunately, for the same reasons, prices have risen for our generation fuels. The costs of oil and natural gas used to generate electricity are estimated to be 55% and 42% higher, respectively, than last year," said Chuck Black, President, Tampa Electric.

Tampa Electric does not profit financially from its fuel and purchased power costs recovered from our customers. The increase represents dollar for dollar the costs the company actually pays to third parties.

About half of the company's generation is fueled by coal, the costs of which have not risen at the same rates as oil and gas. This fuel diversity helped mitigate Tampa Electric's fuel charge increases.

"Domestic and world market events that impact fuel pricing have worked against our team's best efforts to provide our customers with the most reasonably priced electricity possible," added Black.

One way that Tampa Electric has been able to defray costs charged to customers is through sales of almost $100 million in environmental allowances. These allowances were available for sale due to past and current environmental improvements made by the company.

"We have been able to use the proceeds of the sales as a credit against our fuel expenses, thereby lowering the overall fuel increase," said Black. "Furthermore, our people have found ways to grow and maintain our system without increasing our base rates for the past 12 years. And they effectively and efficiently dealt with several hurricanes over the past year without requesting surcharges."

Customers Spared Surcharge for 2004 Hurricane Costs

Under a settlement reached last April with the Office of Public Counsel, Tampa Electric developed a plan that allowed for no increase to its customer's monthly bills to cover the utility's hurricane restoration costs incurred in 2004. In addition, Tampa Electric also agreed not to seek a base rate increase before January 1, 2007. The base rate Tampa Electric customers pay for electricity has not changed in almost 12 years.

Conservation Reminder

Tampa Electric reminds customers that there are many proven ways to conserve energy around the house and save money. For example, customers can:

* Install a programmable thermostat. A 10-degree set back for 8 to 10 hours can save 10 to 20 percent on cooling costs.

* Service cooling systems and adjust for maximum efficiency and save up to 15 percent on cooling costs.

* Increase summer thermostat setting and save 6 to 8 percent per degree on cooling costs for every degree over 78.

* Turn thermostat off when home is unoccupied for extended periods of time and save up to 15 percent on cooling costs

* Install flow restricting devices in showers and faucets and save 5-10 percent on water heating use.

* Seal leaks in HVAC ductwork and save 10 to 30 percent on cooling costs

* Replace central air conditioner with a more efficient unit and save 14 to 40 percent on cooling costs.

For more conservation tips or information about our energy-saving programs, visit the "$ave Energy" page at http://www.tampaelectric.com/ .

Tampa Electric is a regulated utility serving more than 625,000 customers in West Central Florida. It is the principal business of TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TE), an integrated energy-related holding company. Other TECO Energy businesses include Peoples Gas System, the largest natural gas distribution utility in Florida, and companies engaged in waterborne transportation, coal and synthetic fuel production and electric generation and distribution in Guatemala.

Source: Tampa Electric Company

CONTACT: Ross Bannister, +1-813-228-4945, or mobile, +1-813-334-7779, or
home, +1-813-234-2042, or rdbannister@tecoenergy.com

Web site: http://www.tampaelectric.com/
http://www.tecoenergy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Pepco Accelerates Plans for New Transmission Lines to Replace Need for Potomac River Power Plant

2005-09-09T12:16:00.001-07:00

Pepco Accelerates Plans for New Transmission Lines to Replace Need for Potomac River Power Plant

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pepco today announced that it is initiating a process with the District of Columbia Public Service Commission to accelerate construction of transmission facilities in the Washington, D.C. region. This will ensure reliability in the absence of the Potomac River Generating Station, which was recently shut down by its owner, Mirant Corporation, in response to an environmental study. The plant plays a critical role in backing up transmission lines serving customers in Washington, D.C.

"Given Mirant's recent decisions, we believe action is necessary to satisfy Pepco's obligation to provide reliable service to our customers. Therefore, we are advancing contingency plans to build new underground transmission lines on existing rights-of-way to enable us to meet customers' needs without the plant," said Dennis Wraase, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pepco Holdings, Inc., Pepco's parent company. The transmission construction project is expected to take about 18 months. In the meantime, Pepco supports the District of Columbia Public Service Commission's recent petition asking federal authorities to order Mirant to resume operating the plant.

Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POM), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 725,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Source: Pepco

CONTACT: Robert Dobkin of Pepco, +1-202-872-2680

Web site: http://www.pepco.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Progress Energy Florida Files Annual Fuel Cost Request With PSC

2005-09-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Progress Energy Florida Files Annual Fuel Cost Request With PSC

Global fuel situation leads to higher costs for utilities

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Progress Energy Florida has asked state regulators to approve a cost adjustment to reflect the rising costs of fuel used to generate electricity.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c)

The request filed today with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) includes fuel costs for 2004 through 2006. The filing, including fuel and other costs, seeks a total increase of $553.3 million. If approved by the PSC, residential customer bills would increase Jan. 1 by approximately $10.53 per 1,000-kilowatt hours (kWh), to $108.31 monthly.

On Wednesday, the PSC approved a settlement agreement with Progress Energy Florida that maintains base rates -- which includes the non-fuel costs of delivering electricity to customers -- at current levels through late 2007. The cost adjustment filed today reflects what the company pays for fuel to generate electricity. By law, Progress Energy makes no profit from the cost of fuel.

"Just as we are seeing prices rise at the gas pumps, the cost of fuels used in electricity generation -- particularly natural gas, coal and oil -- has increased dramatically in recent months and we expect that trend to continue next year," said Bill Habermeyer, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. "We are continuing to work to ensure that fuels are used as efficiently as possible in generating electricity for our customers."

Progress Energy Florida uses coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear to maintain the most diverse fuel mix of any utility in the state, which helps mitigate the impact of increases in any one fuel. Nevertheless, the company's cost of natural gas has tripled in less than four years; coal prices are expected to rise 20 percent next year; and since late 2001, the cost of oil has more than tripled, in some cases.

To further encourage energy conservation, the company has also proposed a two-tiered fuel rate for residential customers that charges a lower rate for the first 1,000 kWh and a higher one for each additional kWh.

"We are sensitive to the financial impact these rising prices have on our customers," Habermeyer said. "To help customers save money on their bills, we encourage them to take advantage of our energy-efficiency programs and tips."

Progress Energy offers these suggestions to help customers keep their electric costs down:

- Set the air conditioning system thermostat to the highest comfortable
setting. In warm weather, each degree above 78 can save between 7
percent and 10 percent on electric bills.
- Make monthly inspections of air conditioning system filters for the
purpose of cleaning or replacing them when needed.
- Reduce the temperature setting on the electric water heater to 120
degrees.
- Use ceiling and portable fans to keep air circulating, but turn them
off in unoccupied rooms.
- Close blinds, drapes and shades during the hottest part of the day.
This keeps the sun's rays from heating your house.

Residents can also take advantage of Progress Energy programs designed to help customers control electricity use or levelize energy spending. Some of these programs include:

Budget Billing: Customers on fixed incomes or others who need a bill that is a consistent amount are encouraged to take advantage of Budget Billing. The program is free and helps customers forecast monthly energy costs and better plan their finances. Customers pay an average amount that is approximately the same each month. The difference between the budget billing amount and the actual amount also appears on the bill.

Home Energy Check: A free home energy inspection can be conducted for customers by a Progress Energy representative. The representative will survey the home's insulation, duct work, water heating, cooling and heating systems and overall efficiency. Then the customer is provided with energy-saving recommendations and practices and other cost-effective, energy-saving measures. Customers can also take a free online home energy check by visiting http://www.progress-energy.com/.

For more information about these programs, customers should visit http://www.progress-energy.com/ or call 800-700-8744.

Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE:PGN), provides electricity and related services to more than 1.5 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing more than 20,000 square miles, including the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at www.progress-energy.com.

Caution regarding forward-looking statements:

This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Progress Energy, Inc., Florida Progress Corporation and Florida Power Corporation (collectively, the "Company") caution that prospective rates are dependant on a number of factors that are not within the control of the Company. These factors include the cost of fuel, adverse weather, energy demand, the costs to comply with environmental and other regulations, taxes and other factors. Additionally, regulatory approval of requested fuel price cost adjustments cannot be guaranteed by the Company. The Company expressly disclaims any duty to update any of the forward-looking information.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Progress Energy Florida

CONTACT: Progress Energy Florida 24-hour media line, +1-866-520-6397

Web site: http://www.progress-energy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

OPEC Output Increases Just 10,000 Barrels Per Day in August, According to Platts

2005-09-09T10:34:00.000-07:00

OPEC Output Increases Just 10,000 Barrels Per Day in August, According to Platts

LONDON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- OPEC's 11 members pumped a total 30.26 million barrels per day (mil b/d) of crude in August, just 10,000 b/d more than their collective output in July, a Platts survey of OPEC and oil industry officials showed September 9.

Excluding Iraq, the ten members with quotas produced an average 28.37-mil b/d in August, 80,000 b/d above July's 28.29-mil b/d, the survey showed.

"It is becoming increasingly obvious that in the short term most OPEC countries cannot produce much more than they are doing," said John Kingston, global director of oil at Platts. "We are seeing very small increments even though prices are higher, in nominal terms, than they have ever been."

"But with Katrina, we're in uncharted waters for the entire oil sector," Kingston said. "You have the obvious factors that will drive prices higher, such as the loss of Gulf of Mexico crude. But you have a price-driven decline in demand, sale of crude from strategic reserves, and refineries down. We are hearing the occasional report of other grades of crude, amazingly, looking for homes. So the surge in the call on OPEC crude might not be quite as severe as might have been predicted a week ago."

Among the so-called OPEC-10, the biggest single increase came from Saudi Arabia, whose output rose by 50,000 b/d to 9.55-mil b/d. Other smaller increases totaling 40,000 b/d came from Algeria, Qatar and the UAE, while Venezuelan output declined by 10,000 b/d to 2.62-mil b/d.

The only other country to show a decline was Iraq, whose overall exports were down on the previous month, and whose average production in August the survey estimated at 1.89-mil b/d.

Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Libya and Nigeria maintained output at July levels.

Country-by-country breakdown of production with figures
in millions of b/d:

Country Aug 05 July 05 June 05 May 05 Apr 05 July 1
Quota
Algeria 1.350 1.340 1.330 1.310 1.300 0.894
Indonesia 0.940 0.940 0.950 0.950 0.950 1.451
Iran 4.000 4.000 3.990 3.980 3.950 4.110
Iraq 1.890 1.960 1.850 1.820 1.860 N/A
Kuwait 2.550 2.550 2.550 2.550 2.500 2.247
Libya 1.650 1.650 1.630 1.630 1.620 1.500
Nigeria 2.450 2.450 2.450 2.400 2.370 2.306
Qatar 0.790 0.780 0.780 0.780 0.780 0.726
Saudi Arabia 9.550 9.500 9.500 9.550 9.500 9.099
UAE 2.470 2.450 2.430 2.400 2.450 2.444
Venezuela 2.620 2.630 2.640 2.650 2.680 3.223
Total 30.260 30.250 30.100 30.020 29.960 N/A
OPEC 10
(excluding
Iraq) 28.370 28.290 28.250 28.200 28.100 28.000

For more information on OPEC, go to the "Platts Guide to OPEC" at http://www.platts.com/Oil/Resources/News%20Features/opec/index.xml.

Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), is the world leader in providing energy information. For nearly a century, Platts has helped to enable ever-changing global energy markets enhance their performance through such offerings as independent industry news and price benchmarks. From 15 offices worldwide, Platts covers the oil, natural gas, electricity, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical and metals markets. Additional information on Platts real-time news and price assessment services, publications, databases, geospatial tools, conferences, magazines, research and analytical services and energy financial services is available at http://www.platts.com/.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, BusinessWeek and McGraw-Hill Education. The Corporation has more than 300 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2004 were $5.3 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

Source: Platts

CONTACT: Jim Keener
Platts-US
+1-720-548-5624
james_keener@platts.com
Karen Cleale
Platts-UK
+44-207-176-6153
karen_cleale@platts.com

Web site: http://www.platts.com/
http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Active Power Ships Continuous Power System for Use at Chinese National Olympics

2005-09-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

Active Power Ships Continuous Power System for Use at Chinese National Olympics

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Active Power, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACPW) today announced the shipment of a continuous power system to China for use at the country's National Olympics being held in Nanjing in October.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050909/DAF021 )

The system integrates an Active Power CleanSource(R) flywheel UPS, diesel engine generator and transfer switch, all enclosed in a standardized mobile container that allows it to operate in harsh outdoor environments. Control software is also included that allows the user to remotely monitor all aspects of the power system at one central location.

The customer and local utility, JiangSu Power\Nanjing Power Supply Bureau, will use the system to ensure that utility power problems will not disrupt the games' opening ceremony. "The Active Power continuous power system is well- suited for use at our National Olympics," said Mr. Yu Shou Nan, Chairman of the China Electrical Engineering Technology Institute and Civil Engineering Power Supply Experts Committee in Nanjing. "We like having a battery-free containerized solution that we can move around to different locations that isolates us from power disturbances."

"Our mobile solution is a perfect fit for event power applications such as the Chinese National Olympics," said Joe Pinkerton, CEO and Chairman of Active Power. "These weatherproof units can be located nearly anywhere, be up and running within a matter of hours and rapidly redeployed to other sites as needed. We're hopeful that, with a successful showing in Nanjing, we will receive follow-on orders from other utilities throughout the region for future events such as the Beijing Olympics."

About Active Power:

Active Power, Inc. (http://www.activepower.com/ ) designs, manufactures and markets battery-free power quality products that provide the consistent, reliable electric power required by today's digital economy. An ISO 9001- registered company, Active Power is the first to commercialize a flywheel energy storage system, CleanSource, which provides a highly reliable, low-cost and non-toxic replacement for lead-acid batteries used in conventional power quality installations. Active Power has also recently developed a new battery-free extended runtime product line (CoolAir(TM)) based on its proprietary thermal and compressed air storage technology. For more information visit http://www.activepower.com/ , e-mail info@activepower.com or call toll free 877-BUYACPW (289-2279).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statements and all other statements that may be made in this news release that are not historical facts are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. Specific risks include delays in new product development, product performance and quality issues and the acceptance of our current and new products by the power quality market. Please refer to Active Power filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for more information on the risk factors that could cause actual results to differ.

Active Power and our Active Power logo and CleanSource are registered trademarks of Active Power, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.

Active Power Contacts:
Michael Chibib, Investors, 512.744.9453, mchibib@activepower.com
Derek Jones, Corporate Communications, 512.744.9210,
djones@activepower.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050909/DAF021
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN 4
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Active Power, Inc.

CONTACT: Michael Chibib, Investors, +1-512-744-9453, or
mchibib@activepower.com , or Derek Jones, Corporate Communications,
+1-512-744-9210, or djones@activepower.com , both of Active Power, Inc.

Web site: http://www.activepower.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Mississippi Power Restoration Update - Day 11

2005-09-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

Mississippi Power Restoration Update - Day 11

GULFPORT, Miss., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ten days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Mississippi Power employees and outside workers have restored service to 88 percent of the company's customers who can receive power.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020207/SOCOLOGO)

"More than 143,000 of our customers now have power," said Kurt Brautigam, company spokesman. "The pace of the restoration is increasing and we believe we'll have 98 percent of our customers, of those who can receive power, on by Saturday night, 12 days after the worst catastrophe in our company's history.

"As we are finishing the restoration in various areas of our service territory, we are turning our attention to other utilities in our area to assist them however we can. We are beginning to release our tree trimmers and other outside crews wherever they're needed."

Customers who can receive power and have not been restored by noon Saturday are asked to call and report their location. Mississippi Power's outage reporting number is 1-800-ITS-DARK (800-487-3275). To speak with a customer service representative, call 1-800-353-9777.

Customer restoration totals by division as of 6 a.m. 9/9/05:
Coast 59,394 90%
Pine Belt 46,586 78%
Meridian 37,260 100%

The company estimates that approximately 163,000 of its 195,000 customers will be able to receive service during the initial restoration.

Mississippi Power announces procedures for restoring service to damaged homes

In cases where there is no visible damage to the customer's electrical facilities, but it appears that flood waters have exceeded the height of the electrical receptacles, service will not be restored. If the customer is insistent that repairs have been made and that service should be restored, they can sign a release form that states they understand that they bear responsibility for any physical or property damage that may result from doing so. The customer's circuit breakers will then be turned off and service restored, and it will be the customer's responsibility to turn the circuit breakers back on.

In cases where there is visible damage to the customer's electrical facilities, service will not be restored.

Mississippi Power announces the status of its customer service offices

The following bill payment offices are now open: Forest, Heidelberg, Laurel, Meridian, Newton, Quitman, Stonewall, Taylorsville and Union.

The following bill payment offices will open September 12: Columbia, Ellisville, Hattiesburg, Leakesville, Lucedale, Lumberton, Picayune, Poplarville, Purvis, Sumrall and Waynesboro.

The following offices will not open until further notice: Bay St Louis, Bay Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, Moss Point, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Pass Christian, Richton and Wiggins.

Customers can mail bills to the P.O. Box address on their bill (P.O. Box 245, Birmingham, AL 35201)

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020207/SOCOLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Southern Company

CONTACT: Media, Kurt Brautigam or Mike Tyndall of Southern Company,
+1-404-506-5333, or +1-866-506-5333, or Customer Contact, +1-800-ITS-DARK
(800-487-3275)

Web site: http://www.southerncompany.com/
http://www.mississippipower.com/

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Profile: Utilities

North Carolina's Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Send Line Crews to Mississippi to Assist With the Devastation Caused by Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

North Carolina's Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Send Line Crews to Mississippi to Assist With the Devastation Caused by Hurricane Katrina

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- North Carolina's Touchstone Energy cooperatives sent line crews to Mississippi to assist with power outages caused by Hurricane Katrina. Katrina, a category four hurricane when it reached landfall, caused widespread power outages in Mississippi and other Gulf states.

North Carolina electric co-ops sent more than 375 line technicians from 21 NC co-op systems to assist seven Mississippi electric cooperatives with power restoration efforts. Those co-ops include Coast Electric Power Association (EPA) (Bay St. Louis, MS), Southern Pine EPA (Taylorsville, MS), Dixie EPA (Laurel, MS), Magnolia EPA (McComb, MS), Central EPA (Carthage, MS), East Mississippi (Meridian, MS) and Pearl River Valley EPA (Columbia, MS). North Carolina's electric cooperatives have also sent more than 184 trucks and other mobile support vehicles in the convoys.

This is not the first time in 2005 the NC's electric cooperatives have been deployed to assist cooperatives in other states. More than 185 line technicians were sent to Alabama in July to help with power restoration after Hurricane Dennis.

The deployment of help is part of a mutual aid agreement shared between the nation's nearly 1000 electric cooperatives to help one another in times of emergency, such as natural disasters.

"Our heart goes out to the people of the Gulf states during this difficult time," said Nelle Hotchkiss, on behalf of North Carolina's electric cooperatives. "We are happy to lend assistance to our sister cooperatives in their time of need. We know they would do the same for us. It's the cooperative way."

Since most electric cooperatives utilize the same engineering and design of line systems, cooperative line crews from varying states are almost interchangeable.

After North Carolina communities suffered damage from a string of hurricanes over the past few years, linemen from Florida, Georgia and many other states have rushed in to help.

North Carolina's 27 independent electric cooperatives serve approximately 2.5 million people in 93 of the state's 100 counties.

Source: North Carolina's electric cooperatives

CONTACT: Suzanne Ward of North Carolina's electric cooperatives,
+1-919-645-2430, or suzanne.ward@ncemcs.com

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Profile: Utilities

Resin Systems announces financing

2005-09-09T06:14:00.000-07:00

Resin Systems announces financing

EDMONTON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Resin Systems Inc. (RS - TSX Venture / RSSYF - OTCBB), a composite material products technology company ("RS"), is pleased to announce that it has engaged agents (the "Agents") to sell, by way of private placement, up to $25,000,000 principal amount of unsecured convertible debentures (the "Debentures") of RS due five years from the closing date, which bear interest at 8.5% per annum payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 31 of each year (each an "Interest Payment Date").

The principal amount of the Debentures are convertible at the holder's option into common shares ("Common Shares") of RS at a conversion price of $2.90 per share at any time prior to the close of business on the earlier of maturity and the business day immediately preceding the date specified by RS for redemption of the Debentures. The holder of a Debenture surrendered for conversion on this basis shall not be entitled to receive accrued and unpaid interest in respect thereof for the period up to the date of conversion from the date of the latest Interest Payment Date.

The Debentures are redeemable by RS, in whole or from time to time in part, at any time after two years from the date of closing, on not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days prior notice, at a redemption price equal to their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, provided that the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") for the 20 consecutive trading days ending five trading days prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given exceeds $3.63. On redemption or maturity, RS may, at its option, on not more than 60 days and not less than 40 days prior notice and subject to regulatory approval, elect to satisfy its obligation to repay the principal amount of the Debentures by issuing and delivering that number of freely tradeable Common Shares obtained by dividing the principal amount of the Debentures by 95% of the weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the TSXV for the 20 consecutive trading days ending five trading days preceding the date fixed for redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

Upon a change of control involving the acquisition of voting control or direction over 66 2/3% or more of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, RS shall be required to make an offer to purchase the Debentures then outstanding at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest.

RS intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to fund the expansion of its existing operations, future acquisitions and for general working capital purposes.

In connection with the private placement, RS will pay the Agents an aggregate commission of 6% of the gross proceeds of the private placement raised by the Agents. The financing is subject to customary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. The Debentures and the Common Shares to be acquired upon conversion, maturity or redemption of the Debentures, will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the closing date.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or to buy securities in any jurisdiction. These securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.

"Version" and "RStandard" are trademarks of Resin Systems Inc.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. The forward- looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Actual results may differ materially as a result of any number of factors and uncertainties, many of which factors are beyond RS's control. Many of these risks and uncertainties are described in RS's revised annual information form dated June 29, 2005, RS's management's discussion and analysis and other documents RS files with the Canadian securities authorities and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept

responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Resin Systems Inc.

CONTACT:

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Profile: Utilities

SWEPCO Seeks Bids for New Generation

2005-09-09T06:10:00.001-07:00

SWEPCO Seeks Bids for New Generation

SHREVEPORT, La., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is seeking proposals for new generation to supplement existing power supply resources to effectively meet customers' energy needs. A draft Request for Proposal (RFP) to add new generation through a competitive bid process will be filed with the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) Sept. 12, 2005.

The draft RFP, pending LPSC approval, seeks solutions to SWEPCO's short- term and long-term capacity needs. The short-term portion of the RFP seeks proposals to meet peak power needs of 2006 through 2009. In addition, SWEPCO is soliciting new resources to satisfy the company's long-term capacity and energy requirements. The company intends to submit "self-build" proposals to meet capacity needs as well.

"The process for adding generating capacity has changed since SWEPCO last built power plants in the mid 1980s," said Nick Akins, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer. "The competitive bidding process ensures customers will benefit by providing a thorough evaluation of all available energy options."

SWEPCO will be seeking bids for the following resource or product types:

- Up to 500 megawatts of new peaking capacity and associated energy by
2008;
- Up to 500 megawatts of intermediate capacity and associated energy by
2010; and,
- Up to 600 megawatts of base-load capacity and energy by 2011.

Potential site reviews continue and multiple technologies for base-load capacity, including integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC), pulverized coal and circulating fluidized bed combustion will be evaluated.

"The competitive bid process ensures SWEPCO's need for additional capacity will be met in an efficient, fair and cost-effective manner," said Akins.

The draft RFP will be available on the company's web site beginning Sept. 12 at http://www.swepco.com/go/rfp.

SWEPCO, a unit of American Electric Power, is an electric utility company serving approximately 442,000 customers in northwest Louisiana, East Texas and the western edge of Arkansas. Based in Shreveport, SWEPCO has more than 4,480 megawatts of generating capacity and offers some of the lowest energy prices in the United States.

SWEPCO's parent company, American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP), owns more than 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States and is the nation's largest electricity generator. AEP is also one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with more than 5 million customers linked to AEP's 11-state electricity transmission and distribution grid. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.

News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found on the World Wide Web at http://swepco.com/.

Source: American Electric Power

CONTACT: Mike Young, Corporate Communications for American Electric
Power, +1-318-673-3458

Web site: http://www.aep.com/
http://www.swepco.com/go/rfp
http://swepco.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/042050.html

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Profile: Utilities

PSO to Seek Bids for New Generation

2005-09-09T06:10:00.000-07:00

PSO to Seek Bids for New Generation

TULSA, Okla., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) is seeking proposals for new generation to supplement existing power supply resources to effectively meet customers' power demand requirements. PSO is seeking both new peaking resources and base-load resources. A draft Request for Proposal (RFP) to add peaking capacity will be issued Sept. 12, 2005. A separate RFP for additional base-load capacity will follow in October.

PSO will solicit new resources through a competitive bid process in which the company's "self build" options will compete against third-party proposals.

PSO is seeking up to 500 megawatts of new peaking capacity and associated energy, and up to 650 megawatts of base-load capacity and energy. The target year for the addition of new peaking capacity is 2008. The additional base load capacity will be needed by 2011.

Potential site reviews continue and multiple technologies including integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC), pulverized coal and circulating fluidized bed combustion are all under evaluation.

"These new power supply resources will support the growing needs for electricity in Oklahoma," said Stuart Solomon, PSO's president and chief operating officer. "The competitive bid process provides a fair way for all available resource options to be evaluated to obtain the lowest reasonable cost, most reliable power supply resources for our customers."

The peaking RFP will be available on the company's website beginning Sept. 12 at http://www.psoklahoma.com/go/rfp.

PSO, a unit of American Electric Power, is an electric utility company serving approximately 509,000 customers in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma. Based in Tulsa, PSO has more than 4,000 megawatts of generating capacity and offers some of the lowest energy prices in the United States.

PSO's parent company, American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP), owns more than 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States and is the nation's largest electricity generator. AEP is also one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with more than 5 million customers linked to AEP's 11-state electricity transmission and distribution grid. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.

News releases and other information about PSO can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.psoklahoma.com/.

Source: American Electric Power

CONTACT: Stan Whiteford, Corporate Communications for American Electric
Power, +1-918-599-2574

Web site: http://www.aep.com/
http://www.psoklahoma.com/
http://www.psoklahoma.com/go/rfp

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/042050.html

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Profile: Utilities

Calpine Commences Preferred Shares Offering by CCFC Preferred Holdings, LLC

2005-09-09T03:32:00.000-07:00

Calpine Commences Preferred Shares Offering by CCFC Preferred Holdings, LLC

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-First Call/ -- Calpine Corporation's (NYSE:CPN) indirect subsidiary, CCFC Preferred Holdings, LLC (CCFC Holdings), intends to commence a private placement of Redeemable Preferred Shares due 2011. Proceeds from the offering of the Redeemable Preferred Shares, which are expected to be $400 million, will ultimately be used as permitted by Calpine's existing bond indentures.

The Redeemable Preferred Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered in the United States or any state absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The Redeemable Preferred Shares will be offered in a private placement in the United States under Section 4(2) and Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy. Securities laws applicable to private placements limit the extent of information that can be provided at this time.

Source: Calpine Corporation

CONTACT: investors, Karen Bunton, +1-408-995-5115, ext 1121, or media,
Katherine Potter, +1-408-995-5115, ext. 1168, both of Calpine Corporation

Web site: http://www.calpine.com/

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Profile: Utilities

PPL Corporation Temporarily Shuts Down Two Coal-Fired Generating Units at Martins Creek Plant

2005-09-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

PPL Corporation Temporarily Shuts Down Two Coal-Fired Generating Units at Martins Creek Plant

ALLENTOWN, Pa., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL) will shut down the two coal-fired generating units at the company's Martins Creek power plant Thursday (9/8) and has stopped all flow of water into the temporary fly ash basin at the plant to evaluate the basin's integrity.

During a regular inspection of the earthen dike at one end of the basin, plant employees observed a small amount of water that appeared to be seeping from the base of the dike.

The clear standing water, no more than one inch deep in an area about 50 yards long, can be seen at the base of the dike, said Dennis Murphy, PPL's vice president and chief operating officer of Eastern Fossil & Hydro Operations. "This is an amount of water that would be measured in gallons, not hundreds of gallons," he said.

Within several hours of cutting off the flow to the basin, the water began to recede. The water is contained in a ditch, will be monitored by plant employees around the clock, and did not reach the Delaware River, Murphy said.

"We've been inspecting this basin daily since we began using it for temporary fly ash disposal," he said. "As soon as we observed this condition, we took immediate action to stop using the basin until we can investigate."

"We need to perform a thorough evaluation. The right decision is to stop putting ash and water into the basin while we do that," Murphy said. He noted that ash flow from the coal units to the basin was stopped immediately. Ash produced in the units is being stored inside the generating units while an orderly shutdown is completed.

Some ash cleanup activities have been suspended, but others continue. "Because we can't pump water into the basin, we can't do the pumping portion of the cleanup we have been doing at the river," Murphy said.

Other cleanup, including an expanded cleanup of areas closer to the middle of the river, is not expected to be affected in the short term, Murphy said. He said PPL is evaluating its options for disposal of ash being cleaned up.

Murphy said there are no plans to restart the coal-fired units until PPL is satisfied that the company has an adequate disposal facility for fly ash.

PPL has notified the DEP about the seepage and its actions to stop using the basin until the evaluation is complete.

Regarding the plant's main ash basin, PPL has repaired the damage that caused the leak two weeks ago. The basin will include several additional permanent barriers to prevent a leak in the future, including new concrete and steel "stoplogs," a reinforced steel plate and two new valves.

PPL is working with the Pennsylvania DEP to restart the basin as soon as possible.

"It's in everyone's best interest to resume use of the main basin," said Murphy. "With the new barriers, that's the best location for disposing of fly ash at the Martins Creek plant."

One of the wooden components of the main ash basin's discharge structure failed on Aug. 23, allowing an estimated 100 million gallons of water and ash to flow out of the basin into the Delaware River and onto fields and roadways around the plant.

PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL), headquartered in Allentown, Pa., controls about 12,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to nearly 5 million customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America. More information is available at http://www.pplweb.com/.

Source: PPL Corporation

CONTACT: Paul Wirth of PPL Corporation, +1-610-774-5532

Web site: http://www.pplweb.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Visit PPL's media Web site at www.pplnewsroom.com for additional news and background about the corporation and its subsidiaries.

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Profile: Utilities

After the Storm - Taking Control of Energy Prices

2005-09-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

After the Storm - Taking Control of Energy Prices

By Jeffrey Mayer

STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- World energy prices are close to historic highs and our nation is riveted by the human tragedy unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico. As we offer a prayer for those devastated along the coast, our economy is reeling from prices for crude oil and natural gas.

Gasoline prices have increased 132% since last year. Natural gas prices have increased 124%. On a single day - Monday, August 29th, as Hurricane Katrina came ashore - natural gas prices rose 20%. To put that in perspective, it would be as if the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased - or decreased - 2000 points in a single morning!

Why are prices so high?

Many consumers are demanding to know why prices have risen so sharply. In some cases they are concerned about their bills. In other cases they are worried about the overall state of the U.S. economy. These are legitimate concerns. There are many reasons for this, all of which relate to the worldwide supply of energy and the demand for energy products.

On the demand side, we have the increased need for energy by China, India, and other parts of the developing world. This has added to the demands of our own economy which has been strong and expanding, adding new demand for transportation fuels like gasoline and diesel. In the electricity sector, all new generating plants built over the past 15 years have been fired by natural gas.

On the supply side, there have been no major new discoveries of crude oil in almost 30 years. Crude oil supply disruptions in Ecuador and the threat of embargoes from Venezuela are taking their toll. Existing wells of crude and natural gas are being depleted rapidly. Pipelines importing gas from Canada are filled to capacity and Mexico now imports gas. In the long run imported liquefied natural gas may help, but ships and facilities to transport, store and decompress the liquefied natural gas take years to build, if they are built at all. We do not have enough refineries to produce gasoline and heating oil and therefore must import many of these products.

To cap it off, a Category 4 hurricane, Katrina, came ashore last week in Louisiana, forcing the evacuation of all U.S. off-shore oil and gas platforms. It could be weeks before we know the full extent of the damage to this important source of domestic production.

Curiously, the Middle East is one of the least important supply factors driving energy prices. OPEC has become less of a factor in international oil markets since the growth of non-OPEC producers like Russia. Moreover, even if OPEC supplies to the West were curtailed, they would still be pumped into a world supply pool, thereby freeing up sources of supply from elsewhere.

Short term dilemma - or long term volatility?

Some are saying that these record high prices have had a negligible impact on the U.S. economy. They believe a sizzling housing market coupled with low price imports from the Far East will mitigate the impact. Despite gasoline prices which are now surpassing $3 per gallon and jet fuel rocketing out of sight, many pundits believe things will settle down with time.

Not so fast. I don't wish to be a prophet of doom and gloom. But I do think we should be realistic. In the short term, energy prices are unlikely to settle down. Prices are unlikely to revert to the mean prices of yesteryear: $20 per barrel for crude oil and $3.50 per mcf for natural gas. We have stepped onto a new price plateau. Unless and until new sources of energy are found and exploited, we can expect the energy market to be a very volatile place.

In the long term, the trend is even more uncertain. Coupled with the decline in reserves from existing fields, the need for new energy sources has never been greater. Make no mistake about it: Our insatiable appetite for energy has created a supply crisis that will not disappear soon. The only thing that we can be sure about is that prices will not stay the same. This is because energy, unlike many other things in the world, is highly subject to changes in supply and demand as a result of many factors, some of which were cited above. When supply and demand are balanced, prices remain the same. But in the world energy market, supply and demand are rarely balanced. The slightest variation impacts prices, one way or the other.

Is there a solution?

It is tempting to reach for simplistic answers. But none of these solutions provide a short term fix. The Arctic holds huge reserves of oil and natural gas, but it will be years before they reach population centers. Without tax subsidies, solar energy will make a negligible contribution to supply. Wind generation is great in theory but even environmentalists do not want the huge, noisy machines slicing up birds outside their windows. Nuclear plants take decades to build and fuel cells are still in the experimental stages. Alternate fuels like ethanol cost almost as much energy to extract as they contribute.

The most aggressive conservation will barely offset demand growth, unless we are all ready to throw away our computers, televisions, microwaves, washer dryers, cell phones, printers, faxes, and other appurtenances of modern life that are fueling demand.

What can consumers do?

Energy prices affect the costs of practically everything we do and buy: driving and flying; heating our homes; cooking our food; lighting our environment; building houses and roads. They affect the prices of plastics used in our clothes, appliances; toys; cars; the packaging that holds our food.

For the most part, it may seem that there is little that we as consumers can do except grin and bear it. This is because most energy costs are passed through to us in the form of higher prices at the pump or in the goods we buy. Regulated utilities pass through prices as well. Since the days of Thomas Edison state regulators have required that utilities pass through to customers the actual cost of energy and make their profits from their hard assets like pipes and wires, emergency trucks, and utility poles.

Some people can protect themselves, however. Since 1981, heating oil suppliers around the country have offered customers annual fixed price contracts. Similarly, in about 20 states and Canada consumers can protect themselves from higher natural gas and electricity prices by locking in fixed prices from third party suppliers. Like the heating oil suppliers, these natural gas and electricity suppliers buy their supply in advance at fixed prices, in some cases five years forward.

Fixed rate energy products are similar to fixed rate mortgages which are used by more than 70% of U.S. homeowners. Like fixed rate mortgages, which are often higher than variable rate ARM arrangements, customers of fixed rate energy supply may sometimes decide to pay more in the short term in exchange for long term protection and predictability. Their risk is that if prices stay low or go down, they may end up paying more. The risk for not looking seriously at this option may be far more expensive.

Jeffrey Mayer is CEO of MXenergy, which currently serves natural gas and electricity to customers in 11 states as well as in the province of Ontario, Canada.

Source: MXenergy

CONTACT: Michael Meath of Strategic Communications LLC for MXenergy,
+1-315-463-2325, mmeath@stratcomllc.com

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Profile: Utilities

CenterPoint Energy Asks Customers to Be Alert for Natural Gas Leaks

2005-09-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

CenterPoint Energy Asks Customers to Be Alert for Natural Gas Leaks

HOUSTON, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP) asks its customers in Louisiana that have been impacted by Hurricane Katrina to be alert for leaking gas as they return to their homes and businesses to assess the damage.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO )

"Public safety is our top priority, and we're asking our customers to please call us if they smell natural gas," said Walter Bryant, vice president and general manager of natural gas operations in Louisiana. "Unlike above- ground utilities, natural gas pipelines are mostly underground but can be damaged by uprooted trees and shifted foundations. In addition, fallen limbs and other debris can damage gas meters and associated piping."

"If you smell gas, leave the area immediately," Bryant added, "and tell others to leave, too. Do not turn the lights on or off, smoke, strike a match, use a cell phone or operate anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator. Also, please do not attempt to turn natural gas valves on or off. Once safely away from the area, call 800.477.0177, and we'll send a trained service technician immediately."

Bryant said CenterPoint Energy crews from throughout Louisiana have been working around the clock to repair the damage to its gas distribution system and ensure that gas service in hurricane-affected areas is safe.

"With few exceptions, customers who are able to receive natural gas service are receiving it," he said. "Where there is severe damage, it may be months before customers have a need for service. But we will be ready to reconnect them when they are ready."

Bryant added that customers should call the Louisiana One Call Hotline at 800.272.3020 in order to locate underground natural gas lines and other member utilities before digging on their property or conducting debris clean-up.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and sales, and interstate pipeline and gathering operations. The company serves nearly five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total approximately $16 billion. With more than 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. In Mississippi, CenterPoint Energy serves more than 125,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in about 100 communities. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.centerpointenergy.com/ .

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CONTACT: Alicia Dixon of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., +1-713-207-5885, or
pager, +1-713-619-5143

Web site: http://www.centerpointenergy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

PHI Utility Crews Restore Power in Mississippi

2005-09-08T14:47:00.000-07:00

PHI Utility Crews Restore Power in Mississippi

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Repair crews from Pepco Holdings, Inc. utilities, Atlantic City Electric, Delmarva Power and Pepco, joined an army of 9,200 utility workers this week to help Mississippi Power turn the lights back on in the hurricane-ravaged state. Following a 1,100 mile journey, the crews spent the Labor Day weekend restoring power in Meridian, Miss., before moving south 90 miles to Hattiesburg where they were confronted by even greater damage.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050908/DCTH073 )

In Hattiesburg, PHI crews are working from a staging area in an industrial park. They are working 16-hour shifts, sleeping in tents with 500 cots each and eating in mess tents. By Friday, they expect to hear whether they will be needed in Louisiana once finished in Mississippi.

"They're hot, they're tired, but they're still pumped," said Kelly Sullivan, PHI's Training & Drill coordinator of Emergency Preparedness. "They're working in humid, 99-degree weather, but they're happy to have the chance to help out and they're doing a great job."

Their work is not without appreciation. Kelly, who accompanied the crews and coordinated logistics, said storm-battered residents are offering cool drinks, snacks and kind words. A Pepco crew in Meridian was fortunate to be on a block where the neighbors were having a barbeque and invited them over.

Mississippi Power lost service to all of its 195,000 customers in the state, all its systems, including telecommunications, and suffered extensive damage to its facilities, including the use of all generating units at Plant Watson in Gulfport.

As of Thursday, the company said service had been restored to 76 percent of its customers who could receive power.

PHI crews, with nearly 60 linemen, mechanics and support personnel, left in convoys Sept. 1, and during the two-day trip received frequent thumbs-up from passing motorists. One motorist e-mailed Atlantic City Electric's Web site to say he passed the company trucks on I-95 in Virginia.

"Your drivers were very focused on the road ahead, and I couldn't even give them a thumbs-up, thank you, or anything. However, I wanted to say thanks. It was great to see such an outreach, and seeing Atlantic City, N.J., sending trucks through Virginia said a lot," the Fairfax, Va., motorist said.

A visitor to Washington on business saw PHI's ad in The Washington Post that expressed appreciation to the crews for volunteering to help the Gulf States. He walked over to the Edison Place lobby to offer his thanks. He said to make sure that everyone in the company knew that he really appreciated the help. He was from New Orleans and lost his home.

On another note, a customer in Centreville, Md., heard that Delmarva Power crews would be going to Mississippi and wanted to donate a brand new 5,000- watt generator to the Red Cross in the affected area. The generator was packed, put aboard one of the trucks and hauled to Meridian where it was turned over to the Red Cross, who said they had a perfect candidate -- an elderly gentleman in need of an immediate power supply.

Through its subsidiaries Atlantic City Electric, Delmarva Power and Pepco, PHI (NYSE:POM) delivers regulated electricity and natural gas service to about 1.8 million customers in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia. PHI provides competitive wholesale energy products and services through Conectiv Energy and retail energy products to residential and commercial customers through Pepco Energy Services.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050908/DCTH073
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Pepco Holdings, Inc.

CONTACT: Robert Dobkin of Pepco Holdings, Inc., +1-202-872-2680

Web site: http://www.pepco.com/

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Profile: Utilities

TECO Bulk Terminal Public Service Announcement

2005-09-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

TECO Bulk Terminal Public Service Announcement

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, TECO Bulk Terminal requests that Louisiana and Mississippi news media continue broadcast the following public service announcement as frequently as possible to aid its employees in understanding when and how to return safely to work:

TECO BULK TERMINAL TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD CALL 618-524-6046 DAILY FOR RETURN- TO-WORK INFORMATION.

(Note to media: As of today, damage assessment of the TECO Bulk Terminal facilities is still underway, and employees are unable to safely return to work.)

Based in Davant, Louisiana, TECO Bulk Terminal is a subsidiary of TECO Transport, itself a subsidiary of TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TE). TECO Energy, Inc. is an integrated energy-related holding company with regulated utility businesses, complemented by a family of unregulated businesses. Its principal subsidiary, Tampa Electric Company, is a regulated utility with both electric and gas divisions (Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas System). Other subsidiaries are engaged in coal and synthetic fuel production and electric generation and distribution in Guatemala. For more information, visit online: http://www.tecoenergy.com/ .

CONTACT: Laura Duda of TECO Energy, Inc., +1-813-228-1572

PRNewswire -- Sept. 8

Source: TECO Transport

Web site: http://www.tecoenergy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Illinois Commerce Commission, Ameren Join Forces to Supply Diesel Generators to Get the Energy Flowing in Hurricane-Ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi

2005-09-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

Illinois Commerce Commission, Ameren Join Forces to Supply Diesel Generators to Get the Energy Flowing in Hurricane-Ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi

PEORIA, Ill., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Edward Hurley today joined Ameren Corporation (NYSE:AEE) in announcing that the company is supplying eight diesel engine generators to help get the energy flowing in hurricane-ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi.

"This is a great joint effort that represents part of a multi-million dollar commitment from Ameren and its employees to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina," says Hurley. "We salute Ameren and encourage other Illinois companies to support this critical effort."

Hurley added that the Illinois Commerce Commission is working with utilities across the state to clear the way for other projects like this one that allow the state of Illinois to support the national effort to help victims of this major disaster.

"We are pleased to partner with our regulators and other business interests to allow the energy to begin flowing in parts of New Orleans and in Gulfport. The depth of this catastrophe has touched every one at our company, and clearly, we are interested in helping in multiple ways," says Gary L. Rainwater, Ameren chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Our employees are donating money, volunteering their time and working out cooperative relationships with other companies, like this one, to help end the chaos that has surrounded the lives of our fellow citizens."

The company is providing the eight oil-fired diesel generators to a Caterpillar dealer for use by the U.S. Postal Service. The generators will be used to provide temporary power to post offices in the hurricane ravaged areas of Louisiana and Mississippi. The generators are being sold at a price that is significantly below the book value of the units.

The generators, each with a capacity of 1.6 megawatts, are located at the AmerenCILCO Kickapoo Substation in Lincoln, Ill. State and federal regulators have cleared the way for this transaction, which will provide about 12.8 megawatts of generation to the U.S. Postal Service. These cargo container-sized generating units will begin moving from Lincoln today.

The corporation announced last week that more than 300 Ameren employee and contract workers have been deployed to help power restoration efforts for an indefinite time period. The Ameren crews are working on behalf of New Orleans- based Entergy, which serves electric customers in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas.

On Sept. 1, the company announced it has created a matching gift program for employee contributions to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. The company will match one-for-one all contributions made by Ameren employees from Sept. 2, 2005, to Oct. 17, 2005, to the United Way, Salvation Army and Catholic Charities.

Ameren, through its operating companies, serves 2.3 million electric and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area of Illinois and Missouri.

Source: Ameren Corporation

CONTACT: Leigh Morris of Ameren Corporation, +1-217-535-5228

Web site: http://www.ameren.com/

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Profile: Utilities

DEGT Unit Files FERC Application for Proposed Jewell Ridge Lateral Pipeline Project

2005-09-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

DEGT Unit Files FERC Application for Proposed Jewell Ridge Lateral Pipeline Project

HOUSTON, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- East Tennessee Natural Gas (ETNG), a unit of Duke Energy Gas Transmission (DEGT), today filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for its proposed Jewell Ridge Lateral natural gas pipeline project in southwest Virginia.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040414/DUKEENERGYLOGO)

The 32-mile, 20-inch diameter lateral pipeline will connect the East Tennessee Natural Gas (ETNG) mainline pipeline system to CNX Gas Company LLC's existing Cardinal States Gathering System where CNX has contracted for a portion of the available capacity. The availability capacity is 235,000 dekatherms a day, which can be expanded to meet market demand. The project is expected to be in service in summer 2006.

"The Jewell Ridge Lateral project will provide Appalachian natural gas producers a new outlet for their growing supply to support the growth in the Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina markets," said Guy Buckley, group vice president, DEGT. "Supply through this lateral also will be available to east coast markets through ETNG to various pipeline interconnects with Texas Eastern, Transco, Tennessee Gas, Columbia Gulf, Midwestern and Sonat pipelines."

The Jewell Ridge project is the latest expansion of the ETNG system. In the five years since DEGT's acquisition of ETNG, the company has strategically grown its mid-Atlantic position through system expansion and acquisition. Earlier this month, DEGT completed the acquisition of Virginia Natural Gas storage and pipeline assets in southwest Virginia.

"The Jewell Ridge project, combined with other recent expansions of the ETNG system, creates an integrated energy hub that provides storage and transportation options for mid-Atlantic producers," Buckley added.

East Tennessee Natural Gas owns and operates two mainline systems originating near Nashville, Tenn. These systems transport natural gas in an easterly direction along northern and southeast Tennessee. At a convergence point near Knoxville, Tenn., the system extends northeast through Tennessee and Virginia, where one leg terminates at Roanoke, Va., and the other at Eden, N.C.

The 1,353-mile system has a current design capacity of 1.25 billion cubic feet per day and provides unbundled, open-access transportation and storage services to local distribution companies and industrial customers in the region.

Duke Energy Gas Transmission is a North American leader in developing natural gas energy infrastructure, connecting major natural gas supply sources to growing markets. Based in Houston, Texas, the company's assets and operations include more than 17,500 miles of transmission pipeline and 250 billion cubic feet of storage capacity in Canada and the United States along with significant gathering, processing, distribution and natural gas liquids operations that are among the largest in Canada. More information on DEGT can be found at: http://www.degt.duke-energy.com/.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) is a diversified energy company with a portfolio of natural gas and electric businesses, both regulated and unregulated, and an affiliated real estate company. Duke Energy supplies, delivers and processes energy for customers in the Americas. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: http://www.duke-energy.com/.

Contact: Gretchen Krueger
Phone: 713/627-4072
24-Hour: 704/382-8333

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040414/DUKEENERGYLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Duke Energy

CONTACT: Gretchen Krueger of Duke Energy, +1-713-627-4072, or 24-Hour
Media Relations for Duke Energy, +1-704-382-8333

Web site: http://www.duke-energy.com/
http://www.degt.duke-energy.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/257451.html

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Profile: Utilities

Environmental, Consumer Groups Tell ComEd to Stop Power Play

2005-09-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

Environmental, Consumer Groups Tell ComEd to Stop Power Play

CHICAGO, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ A broad coalition of environmental and consumer groups on Thursday expressed outrage over Exelon/Commonwealth Edison's decision to break its commitment to implement Governor Rod Blagojevich's Sustainable Energy Plan. The groups called on Exelon/ComEd to submit its plan to buy renewable energy and to submit the necessary tariffs to the Illinois Commerce Commission immediately.

Exelon/ComEd notified the Illinois Commerce Commission in a Sept. 6th letter that it was halting plans to implement Gov. Blagojevich's renewable energy initiative unless the State adopted an unrelated Exelon proposal that would raise electricity rates by 20 percent or more.

However, at a Chicago news conference, the coalition, including the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC), Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), the Sierra Club Illinois Chapter and the Illinois Environmental Council called on the Exelon/ComEd to keep their word to the Governor, the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Illinois public.

"Exelon/ComEd is holding clean, renewable energy development hostage in order to set up a large rate hike. That's just wrong," said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. "The Governor's Sustainable Energy Plan would help reduce pollution, generate billions of dollars in economic development and create thousands of jobs, according to a Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity study. It would also help protect consumers against volatile gas and coal prices. Exelon/ComEd should reconsider this anti-consumer, anti-environmental breach of their commitment."

In a statement Thursday, the governor said he was not deterred by Exelon/ComEd's threat.

"We will not let Exelon/ComEd's decision to pull out of the state's renewable-energy plan change our opposition to Exelon/ComEd's quest for higher electricity rates, nor will we let it deter our efforts to find alternate sources of energy," Gov. Blagojevich said. "In this time of crisis, it has become abundantly clear that we need to develop and use alternative sources of energy. I strongly urge Exelon/ComEd to reconsider their decision."

Other members of the coalition echoed the governor's words.

"Exelon/ComEd is holding the renewable-energy plan captive in an attempt to steamroll its illegal rate hike proposal past state regulators," David Kolata, CUB Director of Policy and Governmental Affairs, said. "The company has broken its promise to move forward on a plan that will reduce pollution and save consumers money."

"Exelon/ComEd is backing away from its commitment to clean, renewable energy for Illinois customers, without regard to how this decision will impact our economy and our environment," Rebecca Stanfield of Illinois Public Interest Research Group said. "Over the course of this year, Exelon/ComEd has made numerous public promises to implement the goals of the Governor's Sustainable Energy Plan. Now, at the eleventh hour, the company has decided to hold these benefits hostage to a massive, unfair rate increase. Exelon/ComEd should fulfill its clean, wind energy promises and debate its rate proposal separately on its own merits."

The goal of the Governor's renewable energy initiative was to encourage utilities statewide to use cleaner and more efficient sources of energy. Exelon/ComEd committed to the voluntary plan, and this week was scheduled to file a proposal detailing how it would buy 8 percent of its power from renewable-energy sources, such as wind turbines, by 2012.

However, the company reneged on that promise after the governor voiced opposition to a power-auction plan Exelon/ComEd wants to use to set electric rates after a state-mandated rate freeze ends next year.

CUB and other consumer advocates have warned that Exelon/ComEd's proposal would lead to a rate hike of 20 percent or more. Exelon/ComEd's decision to back out of the Sustainable Energy Plan likely jeopardizes much of the wind development in 2006 as wind developers planning to build in Illinois next year will likely send their wind turbines elsewhere. In a letter to the Illinois Commerce Commission, Gov. Blagojevich urged the Commission to reject Exelon/ComEd's auction proposal, writing that it would circumvent the law and lead to an "unjustified" rate hike.

Source: Citizens Utility Board

CONTACT: Jill Geiger of Citizens Utility Board, +1-312-795-3703

Web site: http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/

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Profile: Utilities

Argus Energy Industry Experts Available for Katrina-Related Interviews, Commentary, Information

2005-09-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Argus Energy Industry Experts Available for Katrina-Related Interviews, Commentary, Information

HOUSTON, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The impact of Hurricane Katrina on the domestic energy landscape will be long lasting and have far reaching consequences. Argus Media experts are available to discuss topics ranging from oil and gas production and supply, environmental ramifications, refined products availability and more. Argus Media is a leading provider of business intelligence, price assessments, and market data on the global oil, natural gas, electricity, coal, emissions and transportation industries.

News Media contact the following individuals at Argus for more information and interviews:

Crude Oil Production and Markets:
Tim Mingee, Editor (713) 968 0054
Gasoline and Diesel Production and Markets:
Matthew Wood, Editor (713) 968 0012
Natural Gas and Power
David Givens, Senior Editor (202) 349 2868
Coal Markets and Environmental Issues
Peter Rosenthal (202) 349 2872

Up-to-the-minute Katrina News & Information:

Please visit the Argus website (http://www.argusmediagroup.com/ ) for breaking stories on Katrina and the energy markets.

Source: Argus Media

CONTACT: Tim Mingee, Editor, +1-713-968-0054, or Matthew Wood, Editor,
+1-713-968-0012, or David Givens, Senior Editor, +1-202-349-2868, or Peter
Rosenthal, +1-202-349-2872, all of Argus Media

Web site: http://www.argusmediagroup.com/

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Profile: Utilities

New Coalition Enters Debate on New England's Electricity Supply

2005-09-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

New Coalition Enters Debate on New England's Electricity Supply

Calls on FERC to Approve LICAP Quickly

BOSTON, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Today a diverse group of organizations and electricity experts launched a new advocacy coalition so New England communities have affordable and reliable electricity necessary to meet the increasing demands of a growing economy.

"The New England Coalition for Reliable Electricity (NECORE) is dedicated to promoting economic growth and ensuring a cleaner, reliable and more affordable supply of electricity in New England communities," said Cindy Eid, Executive Director of NECORE. "For that reason, NECORE supports the Locational Installed Capacity (LICAP) proposal because we support more generation in New England and believe LICAP to be the best proposal currently out there."

Proposed by the New England Independent System Operator (ISO-NE), a nonprofit corporation that coordinates the region's power supply and keeps electricity flowing, the Locational Installed Capacity Proposal would prevent future electric bills from skyrocketing, provide cleaner and more affordable electricity, create additional good-paying jobs and lead to cleaner air and water.

On June 15, 2005, FERC administrative law judge (ALJ) Bobbie McCartney endorsed the proposal saying LICAP "appears to provide the proper incentives to build the right amount of capacity at the lowest possible cost." Currently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is considering the proposal and has an oral argument scheduled for September 20.

The need for more power plants across the region has never been so pressing. This summer, New England set new records in electricity usage and industry experts widely anticipate a 1.5% annual increase (equal to one power plant's annual output) in the region's demand for electricity. If the electricity supply doesn't increase, New England could quickly face a future filled with power emergencies and rolling blackouts.

"New England is facing increased demand for electricity over the coming years, with little or no incentive in the private sector to produce the supply necessary to meet that demand. Unfortunately, the current climate is not providing incentives for generators to invest in new power plants or increased capacity at existing plants. LICAP would solve this problem by providing an incentive for power suppliers to increase capacity to meet growing demand through a system of fees, based on their plants' location and generating capacity. We need to act soon to insure a sufficient supply of electricity to meet anticipated needs and to fuel economic growth and prosperity for our state and the region," said Doug Patch, former Chair of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, now a director with Orr & Reno, P.A.

"The facts about LICAP have been distorted for too long and we intend to set the record straight. LICAP is good for New England's economy, good for our environment and good for New England families," said Eid.

The New England Coalition for Reliable Electricity (NECORE) is dedicated to promoting economic growth and job creation in New England communities by working together for a cleaner, reliable and more affordable supply of electricity. NECORE is organized as a nonprofit corporation and exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information, visit: http://www.necore.org/.

Source: New England Coalition for Reliable Electricity

CONTACT: Laura Braden Dlugacz, +1-202-572-6231, ldlugacz@dcgpr.com, for
the New England Coalition for Reliable Electricity

Web site: http://www.necore.org/

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Profile: Utilities

Piedmont Natural Gas Announces Katrina Aid

2005-09-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

Piedmont Natural Gas Announces Katrina Aid

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Piedmont Natural Gas Company (NYSE:PNY) Chairman, President and CEO Thomas E. Skains outlined today the company's contributions towards the Katrina recovery effort and its response to the needs of Katrina evacuees who have relocated to communities served by Piedmont.

The company's contributions will include a $50,000 corporate donation to relief efforts and a special employee match program whereby Piedmont will match employee contributions earmarked for Katrina relief up to $500 per employee. This special matching program is in addition to the company's existing employee match program that allows employees to donate funds to charitable organizations of their choice.

In response to the Katrina victims who have been evacuated to communities served by Piedmont Natural Gas, the company further announced it will establish procedures to waive customer deposits for Katrina evacuees who take up residence in those communities.

In making the announcement, Skains commented, "This is a time of incredible suffering and unbelievable need. You can't help but be moved by the images and the stories coming out of New Orleans and the other communities impacted by Katrina. All of us at Piedmont feel a tremendous need to help those whose lives have been devastated by this event."

About Piedmont Natural Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas is an energy services company primarily engaged in the distribution of natural gas to 960,000 residential, commercial and industrial utility customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, including 60,000 customers served by municipalities who are wholesale customers. Our subsidiaries are invested in joint venture, energy-related businesses, including unregulated retail natural gas marketing, interstate natural gas storage, intrastate natural gas transportation and regulated natural gas distribution. More information about Piedmont Natural Gas is available on the Internet at http://www.piedmontng.com/ .

Source: Piedmont Natural Gas Company

CONTACT: David Trusty, +1-704-731-4391, or Headen Thomas,
+1-704-731-4438, both of Piedmont Natural Gas Company

Web site: http://www.piedmontng.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Employees Returning From The Gulf Coast Following Two Week Restoration Assignment

2005-09-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Employees Returning From The Gulf Coast Following Two Week Restoration Assignment

Additional BGE Personnel Headed to Gulf Region, Continuing Mutual Assistance Effort

BALTIMORE, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), a subsidiary of Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG), today announced that approximately 70 overhead linemen and support staff deployed to South Florida and the Gulf Coast last month are returning to Baltimore, having completed a two week effort to help restore electric service to areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, approximately 70 new BGE employees are heading to Jackson, Miss. to continue the work begun by the returning personnel.

"The men and women of BGE who accepted this assignment have worked tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions and they have every reason to be proud of the work they've accomplished," said Mark P. Huston, vice president of electric transmission and distribution for BGE. "Helping people get their lives back on track following a catastrophic event is no small feat. And because there is so much more work to be done along the devastated Gulf Coast, BGE will continue to support the restoration effort by replacing the returning crews with a new group of employees equally as eager to help the region recover."

The returning employees helped restore electric service to parts of Jackson, Miss. and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, assisting Entergy Corporation and Florida Power and Light Company. Departing personnel will begin their two week assignment in Jackson, but may be redeployed to other areas if conditions warrant. Other utilities that BGE has assisted following Hurricane Katrina include Mississippi Power and Cleco Power.

BGE is part of a mutual assistance network of utilities which regularly discusses current and approaching weather conditions, the potential impact on each utility's service territory and available resources. In accordance with preexisting agreements, the requesting utility assumes the costs associated with mutual assistance.

BGE is a member of Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG), a FORTUNE 200 company based in Baltimore. Constellation Energy is the nation's largest competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers and the nation's largest wholesale power seller. Constellation Energy also manages fuels and energy services on behalf of energy intensive industries and utilities. It owns a diversified fleet of more than 100 generating units located throughout the United States, totaling approximately 12,000 megawatts of generating capacity. The company also delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland. In 2004, the combined revenues of the integrated energy company totaled $12.5 billion.

Source: Constellation Energy

CONTACT: Robert L. Gould or Linda J. Foy, both at +1-410-234-7433, both
for Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

Web site: http://www.constellation.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/084087.html

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Profile: Utilities

Special Call for Conservation Ends; Fuel Supplies Stabilizing

2005-09-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

Special Call for Conservation Ends; Fuel Supplies Stabilizing

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Because natural gas supplies have stabilized since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, the special statewide call for electric conservation has ended.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c)

The Florida Reliability Coordinating Council (FRCC) has ended its appeal for utilities across the state to conserve electricity, and Progress Energy Florida has followed suit.

Progress Energy reminds customers that it is always a good idea to use electricity wisely. Residents can take advantage of Progress Energy programs designed to help customers control electricity use and save money on their electric bill. Some of these programs include:

For more information about these programs, customers should visit http://www.progress-energy.com/ or call 1-800-700-8744.

Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE:PGN), provides electricity and related services to more than 1.5 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing over 20,000 square miles including the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at: http://www.progress-energy.com/.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Progress Energy Florida

CONTACT: 24-hour media line of Progress Energy Florida, +1-866-520-6397

Web site: http://www.progress-energy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Customer and Thought Leader Presentations Dominate Axentis User Conference Agenda

2005-09-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

Customer and Thought Leader Presentations Dominate Axentis User Conference Agenda

CLEVELAND, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Axentis, the leading provider of governance, risk and compliance (GRC) management solutions, announced today that its annual user group conference, Engage!, will feature updates, presentations and best practices from over 20 customers and four of the industry's most respected leaders: Gartner analyst Lane Leskela; Richard Steinberg, principal author of both the COSO internal control framework and the COSO ERM framework; Scott L. Mitchell, President, Open Compliance & Ethics Group (OCEG) and Ted Frank, president and founder of Axentis and chair of OCEG's Technology Council.

Lane Leskela is a VP Research Director for Gartner where he manages research on the impact of business process, business performance, risk management and compliance management technology in the financial investment services sector. At Engage!, he will be a featured speaker and discuss Gartner's most recent assessment of the compliance marketplace.

In addition to his role in the development of the COSO frameworks, Richard Steinberg is Founder and Principal of Steinberg Governance Advisors, Inc. The former leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers' corporate governance program is a nationally recognized expert in corporate governance, internal control and risk management. His Engage! presentation will explore the evolving role of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).

Scott Mitchell, the president and CEO of the Open Compliance & Ethics Group (OCEG), is a leading expert in the areas of corporate governance, risk management, legal compliance and business ethics. He will discuss existing and emerging standards and frameworks for governance, risk management and compliance including the OCEG Foundation Guidelines. In addition, Mr. Mitchell will present a method for evaluating the performance of GRC processes.

While serving as the president of Axentis, Ted Frank has helped Fortune 1000 companies organize and manage their compliance requirements since 1999. Ted was also a driving force behind the launch of the Compliance Consortium and was recently named the chair of OCEG's newly formed Technology Council. He will discuss the emergence of an operational framework and reference architecture for managing compliance.

"The inclusion of these highly respected industry leaders on the Engage! agenda serves as the perfect complement to the conference's strong lineup of customer presentations," said Scott Berkey, chief executive officer of Axentis. "Each of these speakers offers unique areas of expertise that, when combined, will provide attendees with a well rounded picture of this quickly developing marketplace."

About Axentis

Founded in 1999 with the mission to develop the first broad governance, risk and compliance (GRC) technology framework, Axentis currently serves over 600,000 users in more than 100 countries. Offered exclusively as a Software as a Service (SaaS), Axentis Enterprise is both the most widely adopted compliance platform and the most widely used SaaS application. A sampling of regulations currently supported includes Sarbanes-Oxley, CobiT, HIPAA, anti- trust and general risk and incident management. Axentis is also a member of the Open Compliance and Ethics Group. For additional information, call (800) 955-2706 or visit www.axentis.com.

Source: Axentis

CONTACT: Gil Chorbajian of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide,
+1-518-355-0966, or gil.chorbajian@ogilvypr.com, for Axentis

Web site: http://www.axentis.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Mississippi Power Restoration Update - Day 10

2005-09-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

Mississippi Power Restoration Update - Day 10

GULFPORT, Miss., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nine days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Mississippi Power employees and outside workers have restored service to 76 percent of the company's customers who can receive power.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020207/SOCOLOGO)

"Nearly 127,000 of our customers now have power," said Kurt Brautigam, company spokesman. "Our goal of having all customers who can receive power restored by Sunday appears well within reach. In fact, we believe more than 90 percent of those customers will be back in service by Saturday.

"All aspects of our rebuilding effort, including manpower, logistics, materials, and fuel, continue to run extremely well. The remarkable success we're seeing is due to the fact that our 1,200 employees are being supplemented by a force nearly ten times that size."

More than 9,200 transmission and distribution workers from around the country have been brought into the area to assist with the effort. Two thousand additional workers are assisting at the company's generating plants and in support roles.

Several staging areas are housing and feeding more than 1,000 workers each. More than 5,000 vehicles are being fueled each day. Employees at the Gulfport Service Center unloaded 60 semi-trailers of materiel yesterday in a 24-hour period. To date, more than 6,000 poles and 1,000 miles of wire have been delivered and distributed throughout the company's service area.

"We're getting very close, but we still have work to do, so we're asking that customers remain patient as the crews make their way to areas that have yet to be restored," Brautigam said. "I can assure our customers we're coming. Everyone involved is committed to finishing this job as quickly and safely as possible."

Customers can report outages by calling 1-800-ITS-DARK (800-487-3275).

Customer restoration totals by division as of 6 a.m. 9/8/05:
Coast 51,569 72%
Pine Belt 38,560 65%
Meridian 37,172 100%

The company estimates that approximately 168,000 of its 195,000 customers will be able to receive service during the initial restoration.

Mississippi Power has also announced the status of its customer service offices. The following bill payment offices are now open: Forest, Heidelberg, Laurel, Meridian, Newton, Quitman, Stonewall, Taylorsville, Union.

The following bill payment offices will open September 12th: Columbia, Ellisville, Hattiesburg, Leakesville, Lucedale, Lumberton, Picayune, Poplarville, Purvis, Sumrall, Waynesboro.

The following offices will not open until further notice: Bay St. Louis, Bay Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, Moss Point, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Pass Christian, Richton, Wiggins.

Customers can mail bills to the P O Box address on their bill (P O Box 245, Birmingham, AL 35201).

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020207/SOCOLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Southern Company

CONTACT: Media, Kurt Brautigam or Mike Tyndall of Southern Company,
+1-404-506-5333, or +1-866-506-5333; or Customer Contact, +1-800-ITS-DARK
(+1-800-487-3275)

Web site: http://www.southerncompany.com/
http://www.mississippipower.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Powell Industries Announces Fiscal 2005 Third Quarter Results

2005-09-08T03:05:00.000-07:00

Powell Industries Announces Fiscal 2005 Third Quarter Results

HOUSTON, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Powell Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:POWL), a leading manufacturer of equipment and systems for the management and control of electrical energy and other critical processes, today announced results for the fiscal 2005 third quarter ended July 31, 2005.

Revenues for the third quarter of 2005 were $66.9 million compared to revenues of $52.8 million for the third quarter of 2004. The revenue growth is due primarily to improvements in Powell's domestic electrical power products business. Net income for the third quarter was $2.1 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to $0.7 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the same period a year ago.

Thomas W. Powell, chairman and chief executive officer, stated, "We experienced marked improvement in our U.S. operations in the third quarter and continue to be pleased with the strength of new orders and backlog. We are excited about our acquisition of S&I and the favorable response from both the S&I employees and customers. Overall, we continue to be encouraged by the direction of the company and our markets."

The Electrical Power Products segment recorded revenues of $58.2 million in the third quarter compared to $43.3 million in the third quarter a year ago. Income before income taxes for Electrical Power Products totaled $994,000 versus $185,000 in last year's third quarter. The operating results of S&I, acquired by Powell on July 4, 2005, are included in the Electrical Power Products segment.

Process Control Systems' revenues for the third quarter were $8.7 million compared to $9.5 million for the same period a year ago. Income before income taxes for Process Control Systems totaled $1.8 million versus $473,000 a year ago.

The company's order backlog as of July 31, 2005, was $251 million, compared to $120.4 million at the end of the third quarter one year ago and compared to $161.4 million at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2005. New orders placed during the third quarter of 2005 totaled $135.4 million versus $42.1 million in the third quarter a year ago and versus $73.6 million in this year's second quarter. As announced on May 26, 2005, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) contract totaling $51 million was included in Powell's new orders for the third quarter.

Revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2005 were $173.5 million compared to revenues of $157.5 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2004. Net income for the first nine months was $411,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, versus net income of $1.8 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2004.

The Electrical Power Products segment recorded revenues of $146.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2005 compared to $133.4 million for the same period a year ago. The company reported a loss before income taxes year- to-date for Electrical Power Products of $3.1 million compared to income before income taxes of $1.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2004.

Process Control Systems' revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2005 were $27.2 million compared to $24.1 million for the same period a year ago. Income before income taxes for Process Control Systems year-to-date totaled $2.9 million versus $1.0 million for the same period a year ago.

OUTLOOK

The following statements are based on the current expectations of the company. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially as further elaborated in the last paragraph below.

Based on current booking trends, Powell Industries now expects fiscal 2005 fourth quarter earnings to range between $0.11 and $0.16 per diluted share, and full year 2005 earnings to range between $0.15 and $0.20 per diluted share. Fiscal 2005 revenue is expected to range between $245 million and $250 million.

CONFERENCE CALL

Powell Industries has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, September 8, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. eastern time. To participate in the conference call, dial (303) 262-2131 at least 10 minutes before the call begins and ask for the Powell Industries conference call. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the live broadcast ends and will be accessible until September 15, 2005. To access the replay, dial (303) 590-3000 using a passcode of 11038422.

Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet by visiting http://www.powellind.com/ . To listen to the live call on the web, please visit the website at least fifteen minutes before the call begins to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call and will remain available for approximately 90 days at http://www.powellind.com/ .

Powell Industries, Inc., headquartered in Houston, TX, designs, manufactures and services equipment and systems for the management and control of electrical energy and other critical processes. Powell provides products and services to the transportation, environmental, industrial and utility industries. For more information, please visit http://www.powellind.com/ .

Any forward-looking statements in the preceding paragraphs of this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward- looking statements involve risks and uncertainty in that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In the course of operations, we are subject to certain risk factors, including but not limited to competition and competitive pressures, sensitivity to general economic and industrial conditions, international political and economic risks, availability and price of raw materials and execution of business strategy. For further information, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available from the Company without charge.

Tables to follow

POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
July 31, July 31,
2005 2004 2005 2004
(In thousands, except
per share data) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)

Revenues $66,915 $52,805 $173,518 $157,508

Cost of goods sold 54,354 43,488 145,556 130,017

Gross profit 12,561 9,317 27,962 27,491

Selling, general and
administrative expenses 9,887 8,849 28,761 25,574

Income (loss) before interest,
income taxes and minority
interest 2,674 468 (799) 1,917

Interest expense 130 45 346 108

Interest income (289) (235) (883) (602)

Income (loss) before income
taxes and minority interest 2,833 658 (262) 2,411

Income tax provision (benefit) 695 (79) (680) 567

Minority interest in net income 6 --- 7 ---

Net income $2,132 $737 $411 $1,844

Net earnings per common share:

Basic $0.20 $0.07 $0.04 $0.17
Diluted $0.19 $0.07 $0.04 $0.17

Weighted average shares:

Basic 10,775 10,701 10,757 10,676
Diluted 10,939 10,777 10,886 10,768

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA:

Capital Expenditures $1,165 $1,785 $3,226 $4,920

Depreciation and
amortization $1,202 $1,057 $3,244 $3,396

POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

July 31, October 31,
2005 2004
(In thousands) (Unaudited)

Assets:

Current assets $153,598 $145,620

Property, plant and equipment (net) 54,386 45,041

Other assets 9,841 5,418

Total assets $217,825 $196,079

Liabilities & stockholders' equity:

Current liabilities $56,184 $46,350

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations,
net of current maturities 16,018 6,626

Deferred and other long-term liabilities 3,282 3,050

Stockholders' equity and minority interest 142,341 140,053

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $217,825 $196,079

POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
July 31, July 31,
2005 2004 2005 2004
(In thousands) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)

Revenues:
Electrical Power Products $58,214 $43,256 $146,362 $133,408
Process Control Systems 8,701 9,549 27,156 24,100

Total revenues $66,915 $52,805 $173,518 $157,508

Income (loss) before
income taxes:

Electrical Power Products $994 $185 $(3,140) $1,386
Process Control Systems 1,839 473 2,878 1,025

Total income (loss) before
income taxes $2,833 $658 $(262) $2,411

July 31, October 31,
2005 2004
(In thousands) (Unaudited)

Identifiable tangible assets:

Electrical Power Products $166,231 $114,374
Process Control Systems 13,441 11,889
Corporate 33,422 69,141

Total identifiable tangible assets $213,094 $195,404

Backlog:

Electrical Power Products $210,097 $89,491
Process Control Systems 40,662 44,763

Total backlog $250,759 $134,254

Contacts: Don R. Madison, CFO
Powell Industries, Inc.
713-947-4422

Ken Dennard / ksdennard@drg-e.com
Karen Roan / kcroan@drg-e.com
DRG&E / 713-529-6600

Source: Powell Industries, Inc.

CONTACT: Don R. Madison, CFO of Powell Industries, Inc.,
+1-713-947-4422; or Ken Dennard, ksdennard@drg-e.com , or Karen Roan,
kcroan@drg-e.com , both of DRG&E, +1-713-529-6600, for Powell Industries,
Inc.

Web site: http://www.powellind.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Mirant Reaches Agreement With Committees and Other Creditors on Terms of Chapter 11 Plan

2005-09-07T19:58:00.000-07:00

Mirant Reaches Agreement With Committees and Other Creditors on Terms of Chapter 11 Plan

Term sheet paves way for company's emergence from bankruptcy

ATLANTA, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mirant Corporation (Pink Sheets: MIRKQ) announced today that it has reached an agreement with a number of the key constituencies in its Chapter 11 case regarding the terms upon which it will emerge from bankruptcy protection.

The deal sets forth the modifications that Mirant will make to its currently pending Plan of Reorganization (POR) filed in March of this year, and the terms on which the constituencies will support and recommend the amended POR's confirmation.

Parties to the accord include the company, all three of the statutory committees appointed to represent creditors and stockholders in the Chapter 11 case (the Mirant Creditors' Committee, the Mirant Americas Generation, LLC (MAG) Creditors' Committee and the Mirant Equityholders' Committee), and Phoenix Partners, acting as an ad hoc representative of the holders of the Mirant Trust I subordinated trust preferred securities. An ad hoc committee comprised of Mirant bondholders also announced their support for the arrangement.

"This agreement marks a major step forward in the company's reorganization effort and is the product of a recent round of intense negotiations between the company and its statutory committees," said M. Michele Burns, Mirant's chief restructuring officer and chief financial officer. "The deal now permits Mirant's constituencies to put their differences behind them and work together to bring the business out of Chapter 11 quickly and on terms that will clearly maximize the recovery of all stakeholders."

"Although much remains to be done and there are a number of important matters that still need to be addressed, such as outstanding litigation, we are pleased that the momentum around the company's exit from Chapter 11 is finally starting to build," said Burns.

Importantly, the Mirant Plan Term Sheet sets forth the financial terms on which the value of the Mirant enterprise will be shared among the company's stakeholders. The Term Sheet affirms that all MAG debt obligations will be satisfied in full and that MAG's $1.7 billion of long-term debt will be reinstated. The accord clarifies the company's current intention to satisfy MAG's approximately $1.5 billion of short-term debt and other obligations with common stock in the reorganized parent company for 10 percent of the amount owed with the balance to be paid in cash. Although the company plans to raise the cash through a proposed $1.35 billion capital markets financing at its exit from Chapter 11, it still reserves the right to issue new notes directly to the creditors for this portion of their claims. The Term Sheet also specifies the methodology for calculating the amount of interest that accrued on all MAG debt during the pendency of the Chapter 11 case and provides details regarding various credit support mechanisms to be provided under the POR by the reorganized parent company for the benefit of MAG.

Under the POR, as it is to be amended, approximately $6.5 billion of unsecured debt and obligations at the parent level will be exchanged for 96.25 percent of the remaining common stock (exclusive of the above-noted MAG shares and shares reserved for employee programs under the POR). This includes an agreed-upon participation by Mirant's subordinated trust preferred securities, which will receive 3.5 percent of the common stock (excluding the MAG and employee shares) and warrants entitling the holders to purchase 5 percent of the new common stock issued under the POR, exclusive of employee shares. The remaining common stock (3.75 percent excluding the MAG and employee shares) will go to the company's current shareholders. The shareholders will also receive warrants to purchase an additional 10 percent of the common stock of the company.

The Term Sheet also specifies that recoveries on the company's avoidance actions (including the action against Mirant's former parent, Southern Company) will trigger payments to be shared by Mirant's former creditors and shareholders on a 50/50 basis.

As part of the terms of the agreement, and upon the approval by the Bankruptcy Court of the Amended Disclosure Statement, Mr. Edward Muller, the former CEO of Southern California Edison's merchant energy subsidiary, Edison Mission, will be elected to the board of directors of Mirant and named chairman. Mirant will also request that the Court approve an employment agreement with Mr. Muller as chief executive officer. He will replace Mr. A.W. ("Bill") Dahlberg, who has served as chairman of Mirant's board of directors since 2000, and Ms. Marce Fuller, who has served as Mirant's president and chief executive officer since 1999.

The agreement also provides that a new board of directors will be formed consisting of Mr. Muller, Mr. A.D. ("Pete") Correll (a current board member), six independent members selected jointly by the company and the Mirant Creditors' Committee, and one independent member to be chosen through a joint selection process with the Mirant Equity Committee.

As a result of the agreement, Mirant and the committees asked United States Bankruptcy Judge D. Michael Lynn, who has presided over the case since its filing in July, 2003, to stop work related to the ongoing valuation dispute in the case and schedule a hearing to approve the company's soon-to-be amended disclosure statement for September 28, 2005.

"In granting the parties' request, the Judge praised the parties for their efforts in developing the terms of a consensual plan and indicated his willingness to drive a schedule that would make it possible for the company to exit Chapter 11 by year-end," said Thomas E. Lauria of White & Case, LLP, Mirant's lead counsel in its bankruptcy case.

Mirant will file the Mirant Plan Term Sheet on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The term sheet contains the specific details of the agreement and will be available at http://www.mirant.com/.

Mirant is a competitive energy company that produces and sells electricity in the United States, the Caribbean, and the Philippines. Mirant owns or leases more than 18,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity globally. The company operates an asset management and energy marketing organization from its headquarters in Atlanta. For more information, please visit http://www.mirant.com/.

Caution regarding forward-looking statements:

Some of the statements included herein involve forward-looking information. Mirant cautions that these statements involve known and unknown risks and that there can be no assurance that such results will occur. There are various important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward- looking statements, such as, but not limited to, (i) legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation, regulation or restructuring of the electric utility industry; changes in state, federal and other regulations (including rate regulations); changes in, or changes in the application of, environmental and other laws and regulations to which Mirant and its subsidiaries and affiliates are or could become subject; (ii) the failure of Mirant's assets to perform as expected; (iii) Mirant's pursuit of potential business strategies, including the disposition or utilization of assets; (iv) changes in market conditions, including developments in energy and commodity supply, demand, volume and pricing or the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets of Mirant or Mirant's subsidiaries and affiliates; (v) market volatility or other market conditions that could increase Mirant's obligations to post collateral beyond amounts which are expected; (vi) Mirant's inability to access effectively the over-the-counter and exchange-based commodity markets or changes in commodity market liquidity or other commodity market conditions, which may affect Mirant's ability to engage in asset hedging and optimization activities as expected; (vii) Mirant's ability to borrow additional funds and access capital markets; (viii) weather and other natural phenomena, war, terrorist activities or the occurrence of a catastrophic loss; (ix) deterioration in the financial condition of Mirant's customers or counterparties and the resulting failure to pay amounts owed to Mirant or to perform obligations or services due to Mirant; (x) volatility in Mirant's gross margin as a result of its accounting for financial instruments used in its asset management activities and volatility in its cash flow from operations resulting from working capital requirements, including collateral, to support its asset management activities; (xi) Mirant's ability to enter into intermediate and long-term contracts to sell power and procure fuel on terms and prices acceptable to it; (xii) the inability of Mirant's operating subsidiaries to generate sufficient cash flow and Mirant's inability to access that cash flow to enable it to make debt service and other payments; (xiii) Mirant's substantial consolidated indebtedness and the possibility that Mirant and its subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness in the future; (xiv) restrictions on the ability of Mirant's subsidiaries to pay dividends, make distributions or otherwise transfer funds to Mirant, including restrictions on Mirant Mid-Atlantic, LLC contained in its leveraged lease financing arrangements; (xv) the disposition of the pending litigation described in Mirant's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; (xvi) the actions and decisions of Mirant's creditors and of other third parties with interests in the voluntary petitions for reorganization filed on July 14, 2003, July 15, 2003, August 18, 2003, October 3, 2003 and November 18, 2003, by Mirant Corporation and substantially all of its wholly-owned and certain non-wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries under Chapter 11; (xvii) the effects of the Chapter 11 proceedings on Mirant's liquidity and results of operations; (xviii) the instructions, orders and decisions of the Bankruptcy Court and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; (xix) Mirant's ability to satisfy the conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the proposed POR, including the ability to secure the necessary financing commitments; (xx) Mirant's ability to successfully reject unfavorable contracts; (xxi) the disposition of unliquidated claims against Mirant;; (xxii) the effects of changes in Mirant's organizational structure in conjunction with its emergence from Chapter 11 protection; (xxiii) the duration of Mirant's Chapter 11 proceedings; and (xxiv) other factors discussed in Mirant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bankruptcy law does not permit solicitation of acceptances or rejections of the Plan until the Bankruptcy Court approves the Disclosure Statement relating to the Plan as providing adequate information of a kind, and in sufficient detail, as far as is reasonably practicable in light of the nature and history of the debtors and the condition of the debtors' books and records, that would enable a hypothetical reasonable investor typical of the holder of claims or interests of the relevant class to make an informed judgment about the Plan. Neither the Plan nor the Disclosure Statement has been approved by the Bankruptcy Court as containing adequate information under the Bankruptcy Code for use in solicitation of acceptances or rejections of the Plan. Accordingly, neither the term sheet nor this press release is intended to be, nor should they in any way be construed as, a solicitation of votes on the Plan. The information contained in the Disclosure Statement currently on file with the Bankruptcy Court should not be relied on for any purpose before a determination by the Bankruptcy Court that the Disclosure Statement contains adequate information.

Source: Mirant Corporation

CONTACT: Media: David Thompson, +1-678-315-9493,
dave.thompson@mirant.com, Investor Relations: Cameron Bready, +1-678-579-7742,
cameron.bready@mirant.com, Stockholder Inquiries: +1-678-579-7777

Web site: http://www.mirant.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Environmental, Consumer Groups Plan News Conference to Respond to ComEd Power Play

2005-09-07T16:23:00.000-07:00

Environmental, Consumer Groups Plan News Conference to Respond to ComEd Power Play

A broad coalition of environmental and consumer groups, including the
Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC), Illinois Public Interest
Research Group (PIRG), and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), will hold a
news conference at noon Thursday, Sept. 8, at ELPC headquarters, 35 East
Wacker Drive, #1300, Chicago. At the news conference, the coalition will
respond to Commonwealth Edison's announcement that it will renege on its
commitment to implement a renewable-resources plan unless the state adopts
a company proposal that would lead to a rate hike of 20 percent or more
for Illinois consumers.

CONTACT: Jim Chilsen
312-263-4362, ext. 121 (w)
847-733-0789 (h)

PRNewswire -- Sept. 7

Source: Citizens Utility Board

Web site: http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/

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Profile: Utilities

Giuliani to Assist Entergy With Post-Katrina Response

2005-09-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

Giuliani to Assist Entergy With Post-Katrina Response

JACKSON, Miss., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Under their existing two-and-a-half-year relationship, Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) Wednesday asked the international crisis management and security consulting firm founded by former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani to counsel the company in coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Giuliani Partners LLC has since 2002 consulted with the company's Entergy Nuclear Northeast subsidiary on security, crisis management, evacuation plans and related matters at its five Entergy nuclear plants in New York, Vermont and Massachusetts. The Giuliani Partners assistance in the wake of the hurricane is an extension of that contract.

The electric utility, which serves large portions of storm-damaged Mississippi and Louisiana, including the New Orleans metropolitan area, said Giuliani Partners is providing the company with recovery advice in the wake of the hurricane that devastated large portions of the two states, including New Orleans and its suburbs.

"Rudy Giuliani is a proven leader and his team of experts are probably the most acclaimed crisis managers in the world," said J. Wayne Leonard, chief executive officer. "We think they can provide enormously valuable advice in helping us ensure that we address all key priorities as the states of Mississippi and Louisiana, along with the city of New Orleans, try to recover from the Hurricane Katrina disaster."

Leonard said Entergy believes the services of Giuliani Partners, "Will be invaluable in meeting the enormous challenges that this region confronts in providing humanitarian relief, maintaining order and repairing the infrastructure that's been damaged."

In addition to former Mayor Giuliani himself, many of the firm's senior executives were high-ranking New York City officials during the Giuliani administration. Among them are Founding Partner and Senior Managing Director Michael D. Hess, who was New York's corporate counsel; Senior Vice President Richard J. Scheirer, who was the city's commissioner of emergency management; and Senior Vice President Thomas Von Essen, who was New York's fire commissioner.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $10 billion and approximately 14,000 employees.

Entergy's online address is http://www.entergy.com/

Source: Entergy Corporation

CONTACT: Arthur Wiese of Entergy Corporation, +1-601-952-2340, or
awiese@entergy.com

Web site: http://www.entergy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

TECO Transport Commences Coal Deliveries to Tampa Electric

2005-09-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

TECO Transport Commences Coal Deliveries to Tampa Electric

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TECO Transport today announced that its river and ocean transportation business units have resumed deliveries of coal to its sister company, Tampa Electric. Utilizing floating cranes at an alternate location upriver, TECO Barge Line discharged 23,000 tons of coal from its vessels, and the coal was loaded on a TECO Ocean Shipping vessel, which is currently en route to Tampa Electric via the Gulf of Mexico. Delivery is expected on Sept. 9. Services for its other customers are also resuming as circumstances permit.

TECO Energy President and COO John Ramil said, "I am very proud of the resourcefulness of our TECO Transport team. Despite the challenges to the terminal business in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, they have not only begun the recovery process, they've begun to provide fuel transportation for Tampa Electric and services to other customers."

At the time of Hurricane Katrina, Tampa Electric had approximately 30 days' supply of coal at its power generation facilities in Florida. TECO Transport expects to continue to deliver coal to Tampa Electric on a regular basis from the alternate location until TECO Bulk Terminal resumes operations. The company will continue working toward a normal schedule as recovery progresses.

Water has receded from the TECO Bulk Terminal facility in Davant, Louisiana. The company anticipates being able to load products at the Davant location within 30-45 days, once damage assessment has been completed and repairs are underway. The assessment of the financial impact on TECO Transport's results will not be complete until further inspections of terminal equipment are made and a definitive return-to-service schedule is developed.

As customers resume operations and product shipping, TECO Barge Line's river operations continue their efforts to return to normal operations as quickly as possible. Salvage operations are underway, recovering barges scattered by Katrina.

TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TE) is an integrated energy-related holding company with regulated utility businesses, complemented by a family of unregulated businesses. Its principal subsidiary, Tampa Electric Company, is a regulated utility with both electric and gas divisions (Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas System). Other subsidiaries are engaged in waterborne transportation, coal and synthetic fuel production and electric generation and distribution in Guatemala.

Note: This press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements relating to the impact of Hurricane Katrina, which are subject to the inherent uncertainties in forecasting the impact of such an event. Actual results may differ materially from those forecasted. Important factors that could impact actual results include the time needed for affected team members to safely return to work; the availability of the necessary outside resources to restore power to the terminal and otherwise return the terminal to full operations; and timing of shipments at other facilities that TECO Transport's vessels may use in the Port of New Orleans.

Source: TECO Energy, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Ross Bannister, +1-813-228-4945 or Investors, Mark Kane,
+1-813-228-1772, both of TECO

Web site: http://www.tecoenergy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

FirstEnergy Sending a Second Contingent of 131 Employees to Assist With Hurricane Katrina Restoration Efforts

2005-09-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

FirstEnergy Sending a Second Contingent of 131 Employees to Assist With Hurricane Katrina Restoration Efforts

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FirstEnergy (NYSE:FE) is continuing its efforts to help restore electrical service to those areas affected by Hurricane Katrina by sending 131 employees - including 48 line crews - to the Jackson, Mississippi, area. They will relieve the 95 FirstEnergy employees who have been working on the restoration efforts since August 25.

This contingent includes 15 new line crews - 8 from The Illuminating Company and 7 from Met-Ed - who will leave Thursday morning. Including the additional equipment they are bringing, FirstEnergy companies will have a total of 67 line trucks and other vehicles in the area. In addition, 95 FirstEnergy employees from Ohio and Pennsylvania will fly into Jackson, Mississippi, on Saturday to relieve those FirstEnergy workers from Toledo Edison, Ohio Edison, Penn Power, Penelec and Met-Ed who have been in Florida and Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina first made landfall in the Miami area.

"Utilities in the Gulf area are dealing with widespread devastation to their electrical systems and our employees are proud to offer their assistance in this massive rebuilding effort," said Chuck Jones, FirstEnergy's senior vice president of Energy Delivery and Customer Service.

FirstEnergy is a member of a mutual-assistance group of electric utilities that help each other with major restoration projects. In addition to providing crews, FirstEnergy also released about 320 electrical and forestry contractors from their existing commitments so they could travel south to assist with the restoration efforts.

Last year, when Florida and other parts of the southeast United States were battered with a series of hurricanes in August and September, FirstEnergy sent more than 400 employees to assist with restoration efforts. In January, the company and its employees were honored for this effort by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) with its Emergency Assistance Award.

In addition to the mutual response efforts, the company also announced that The FirstEnergy Foundation will match FirstEnergy employee contributions made through American Red Cross chapters in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the states where the company has operations.

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Its subsidiaries and affiliates are involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, as well as energy management and other energy-related services. Its seven electric utility operating companies - comprise the nation's fifth largest electric system, based on 4.4 million customers served within a 36,100 square-mile area of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Forward-looking Statements. This news release includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "believe," "estimate" and similar words. Actual results may differ materially due to the speed and nature of increased competition and deregulation in the electric utility industry, economic or weather conditions affecting future sales and margins, changes in markets for energy services, changing energy and commodity market prices, replacement power costs being higher than anticipated or inadequately hedged, the continued ability of our regulated utilities to collect transition and other charges, maintenance costs being higher than anticipated, legislative and regulatory changes (including revised environmental requirements), the uncertainty of the timing and amounts of the capital expenditures (including that such amounts could be higher than anticipated) or levels of emission reductions related to the settlement agreement resolving the New Source Review litigation, adverse regulatory or legal decisions and outcomes (including revocation of necessary licenses or operating permits, fines or other enforcement actions and remedies) of governmental investigations and oversight, including by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the United States Attorney's Office and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as disclosed in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, generally, and with respect to the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station outage and heightened scrutiny at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in particular, the availability and cost of capital, the continuing availability and operation of generating units, our inability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic goals, our ability to improve electric commodity margins and to experience growth in the distribution business, our ability to access the public securities and other capital markets, the outcome, cost and other effects of present and potential legal and administrative proceedings and claims related to the August 14, 2003 regional power outage, the final outcome in the proceeding related to FirstEnergy's Application for a Rate Stabilization Plan in Ohio, the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, and other similar factors. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any current intention to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Source: FirstEnergy Corp.

CONTACT: Mark Durbin - Ohio, +1-330-761-4365, or Scott Surgeoner -
Pennsylvania, +1-610-921-6785, both of FirstEnergy Corp.

Web site: http://www.firstenergycorp.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Entergy Gas Operations Assesses and Repairs Natural Gas System; Crews Repair Leaks, Preserve Gas Supply for Pumping Stations

2005-09-07T12:09:00.000-07:00

Entergy Gas Operations Assesses and Repairs Natural Gas System; Crews Repair Leaks, Preserve Gas Supply for Pumping Stations

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Entergy Gas Operations assessment and restoration teams are working in New Orleans doing assessment to determine the extent of the damage to its gas system. Today, Entergy assessment and restoration workers are in the French Quarter, Uptown and Algiers. They will move into other areas of the city as flood waters are pumped out and more of the city becomes accessible. Areas that are damaged will be identified for repairs and those repairs will be prioritized and worked to return the system to normal operation.

Since the flooding, several fires have broken out in the city and Entergy Gas Operations personnel have responded to many of these fires. Our responders report that of the large fires they have investigated there is no indication that they have been related to natural gas. We have checked the areas near those fires to verify there are no gas leaks. We are doing similar assessments throughout the city.

We have seen a limited number of small gas fires in unoccupied areas surrounded by water. They pose no significant immediate threat to public safety. Entergy is monitoring these fires and is working to repair these leaks.

Entergy may have to shut off gas service in some areas of the city before repairs can be made. We have already shut off gas to New Orleans East and the Ninth Ward because we suspect those areas may have more damage. This will help reduce gas leakage in the city which will help with public safety and aid in restoration of the gas system. Entergy has worked diligently to preserve gas flow to the New Orleans Sewage and Water Board (SWB) in order to allow power generation for the drainage pumps that are critical to the mission of pumping water out of flooded areas of the city.

There are many boats and vehicles conducting rescue emergency services in the City of New Orleans. Entergy asks military personnel, police, and all emergency workers to help us by reporting natural gas leaks. Anyone who smells gas or see bubbles coming up in flooded areas should contact us at 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) and report the location of the suspected leak.

Entergy Gas Operations serves approximately 147,000 natural gas customers in New Orleans. Entergy Gas is working in coordination with Entergy electric restoration workers who are also working in the New Orleans area at this time. Extra resources continue to arrive in the Entergy service territory, and the restoration efforts continue to gain strength.

Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $10 billion and approximately 14,000 employees.

Source: Entergy Corporation

CONTACT: Dan Daugherty of Entergy Corporation, mobile, +1-501-231-4310,
or pager, +1-800-264-2535 PIN: 1613, or ddaughe@entergy.com

Web site: http://www.entergy.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Dominion Crews in Greater New Orleans Area Helping to Restore Power

2005-09-07T12:07:00.000-07:00

Dominion Crews in Greater New Orleans Area Helping to Restore Power

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dominion repair crews sent south to help with the restoration of electricity in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are working in the greater New Orleans metropolitan area, restoring electric facilities around Louis Armstrong International Airport.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000831/DLOGO )

Dominion (NYSE:D), one of the nation's largest energy companies, provided 260 linemen and support staff for the relief effort. The crews spent much of their time Sunday and Monday restoring power to a hospital and the runway lights at the airport, which has been used as a hospital. The company also released 300 contractor linemen and tree trimmers to assist with the restoration.

"I've been in this business for 30 years, and I've never seen this much devastation," said Wade Briggs of Virginia Beach, who is leading the Dominion contingent. "What we are seeing is catastrophic damage to the electric infrastructure. There are miles and miles of line to be rebuilt.

"Our guys are pretty understanding of the work conditions. We've been on both sides of these storms," Briggs said, adding that his team is being housed temporarily in a church annex with limited facilities. The team expects to be in a hotel by the end of the week.

Because of the massive line restoration and pole replacement needed, the company is sending another eight auger trucks to complement the more than 90 vehicles Dominion already has on the ground.

With this commitment of manpower to Louisiana, Dominion asks its Virginia and northeastern North Carolina electric customers to be aware that hookups and routine work might be delayed. The company will continue to respond to customer needs and strive to minimize delays.

All but nine of Dominion's 440 New Orleans-based employees of its Exploration and Production offshore unit have been accounted for in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Three E&P employees, unable to make contact because many phones are out of order, checked in by contacting Dominion line crews.

Dominion is relocating all of the affected employees and their families to its Houston E&P offices on an interim basis and is providing temporary housing and furnishings. The company also has set up a set up a special relief fund so that fellow Dominion employees can make contributions to assist their friends and coworkers.

In addition to providing repair crews and assisting affected employees, Dominion is contributing up to a total of $250,000 to the ongoing relief efforts, including $100,000 to The Salvation Army. The company also is matching employee gifts to eligible hurricane relief organizations.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with an energy portfolio of about 28,100 megawatts of generation, about 6 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas reserves and 7,900 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline. Dominion also operates the nation's largest underground natural gas storage system with more than 965 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in nine states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at http://www.dom.com/.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000831/DLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Dominion

CONTACT: Dominion Media Line, +1-804-771-6115

Web site: http://www.dom.com/

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Profile: Utilities

Denny Branca Joins Cannon Technologies, Inc. as Director of Substation Systems

2005-09-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Denny Branca Joins Cannon Technologies, Inc. as Director of Substation Systems

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Cannon Technologies is pleased to announce that Denny Branca has joined its staff as director of substation systems. Mr. Branca comes to Cannon Technologies from Xcel Energy, Inc., where he held a number of technical and leadership positions within substation engineering and distribution operations. Denny holds a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota and a masters of business administration from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota. Denny brings a wealth of industry experience to his new assignment at Cannon Technologies, adding to the existing core of electric utility engineering expertise in its Substation Systems Group.

In his new position, Denny will be responsible for the continued growth and development of Cannon Technologies' Substation Advisor(R) and Esubstation Systems for substation monitoring and integration. Denny will also foster the company's efforts in Gateway and Sensor products, and systems integration. Mike Cannon, who heads the Substation Group at Cannon Technologies, says, "We welcome Denny to this very exciting part of our business. Management of critical infrastructure assets at generating and T&D facilities continues to be a growing need of our electric utility customers, and we look forward to growing our technology and customer base!"

"I am thrilled to join Cannon Technologies," said Denny. "They have a talented workforce and a proven track record of delivering cost-effective solutions that really work. I look forward to sharing our substation solution capabilities with customers."

About Cannon Technologies, Inc.

Privately held Cannon Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1987 to deliver load management and automated distribution solutions to electric utilities. Cannon is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota -- with branch offices in California, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia. Today Cannon customers include nearly 400 electric utilities across North America. Utilities of all sizes apply Cannon solutions to manage peak load, improve system power factor, read meters remotely, and improve substation reliability. Cannon's support team is comprised of seasoned professionals, expert in the field of power systems, metering and energy management. For more information, please visit http://www.cannontech.com/ .

Source: Cannon Technologies, Inc.

CONTACT: Ed Cannon, Chief Executive Officer of Cannon Technologies,
Inc., +1-763-253-5555, or ed@cannontech.com

Web site: http://www.cannontech.com/

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Profile: Utilities

TECO Energy Establishes Relief Fund for Impacted TECO Transport Employees

2005-09-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

TECO Energy Establishes Relief Fund for Impacted TECO Transport Employees

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TECO Energy today announced that it has established a fund to help its employees who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina, virtually all of whom are employed by the TECO Bulk Terminal subsidiary of TECO Transport, located in Davant, Louisiana. Called the TECO Bulk Terminal Community Relief Fund, TECO Energy team member contributions to the fund will be matched up to at least $100,000 by TECO Energy.

Chairman and CEO Sherrill Hudson said, "No amount of money can restore what Katrina took away from the people of these areas. The more than 150 men and women of TECO Bulk Terminal have experienced unfathomable loss as a result of this devastating storm. Their company, and their fellow team members, want to do what they can to help them with necessities during their time of need."

The fund is administered through the Foundation for the Mid South. Tax- deductible contributions can be sent to:

TECO Bulk Terminal Community Relief Fund
Foundation for the Mid South
134 Amite Street
Jackson, MS 39201

Contributions can also be made by phone at (toll-free) 888-355-8168. Beginning September 8, contributions will be able to be made online at the Foundation for the Mid South's Web site: http://www.fndmidsouth.org/ .

As funding allows, the TECO Bulk Terminal Community Relief Fund may address other needs in the local area, including St. Bernard's Parrish and Plaquemines Parrish.

Source: TECO Energy, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Laura Duda, +1-813-228-1572, or Investors, Mark Kane,
+1-813-228-1772, both of TECO Energy

Web site: http://www.tecoenergy.com/
http://www.fndmidsouth.org/

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Profile: Utilities

Foundation for the Mid South and Entergy Establish Funds to Benefit the Victims of Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

Foundation for the Mid South and Entergy Establish Funds to Benefit the Victims of Hurricane Katrina

JACKSON, Miss., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Foundation for the Mid South recently received $1 million from Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) to establish a fund that will benefit its customers and employees who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The Power of Hope Fund will be used to help disaster victims rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the storm. Entergy, which serves Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas, launched the fund last week and has already received support from contributors such as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; and TXU Corporation. Currently, the fund total stands at more than $1.5 million and is growing quickly.

"We are heartsick at the losses our communities and employees have suffered," said Curt L. Hebert, executive vice president, external affairs. "Even as we launch the largest power restoration in our country's history, we are equally concerned about reaching out to help our co-workers, families and neighbors restore their lives. Together we can and will rebuild and put this storm behind us."

In addition to the Power of Hope Fund, the Foundation for the Mid South has established the Hurricane Katrina Recovery and Restoration Fund to reach other Mid South communities in need. The fund will provide financial resources to nonprofits working to rebuild the lives and communities of the people of the Mid South impacted by the storm, especially in Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Alabama Gulf Coast.

"Unlike the tsunami, the advance warning of the storm has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people who fled inland and who now are being supported by stretched local resources in places both nearby -- with hundreds of thousands in places like Baton Rouge -- but also hundreds of thousands who have had to go as far away as Arkansas, north Mississippi, and further to find a place to stop," commented George Penick, president of the Foundation for the Mid South. "These communities need immediate assistance to provide basic and essential aid and comfort to those displaced by the storm, but I urge everyone to think of the long-term problems and opportunities facing these people when they try to rebuild their communities and to support them once the television cameras are gone."

The Foundation for the Mid South is hosting a meeting of national and regional funders and partners in the next two weeks in Memphis, Tennessee. The round-table conversation will discuss opportunities for funding, collaboration, and determining long-term strategies in response to this devastating event. Details and information on the outcomes of this important meeting will be available on the Foundation's website at http://www.fndmidsouth.org/ .

Donations can be made online at http://www.fndmidsouth.org/
or by phone at 1-888-355-8168 / after hours 1-601-397-2865.

Donations by check should be made out to:
The Power of Hope Fund / FMS
or
The Hurricane Katrina Recovery and Restoration Fund / FMS
and mailed to
The Foundation for the Mid South
134 East Amite Street
Jackson, MS 3920

The Foundation for the Mid South is a regional development foundation serving Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. We work across the fault lines of race class, gender, and image; engage community leadership; and provide the resources to implement local and regional change. The Foundation has awarded grants to more than 300 organizations throughout the region.

Source: Entergy Corporation; Foundation for the Mid South

CONTACT: Chris Crothers, Communications Director of Foundation for the
Mid South, +1-601-863-0483, or ccrothers@fndmidsouth.org

Web site: http://www.entergy.com/
http://www.fndmidsouth.org/

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Profile: Utilities

Progress Energy Florida Rate Settlement Approved by PSC

2005-09-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Progress Energy Florida Rate Settlement Approved by PSC

Base rates maintained at current levels

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved an agreement that would maintain Progress Energy Florida's base rates at their current levels (comparable to rates set in 1983) through late 2007. The agreement had been negotiated among Progress Energy Florida, the Florida Attorney General, the Office of Public Counsel and other parties.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c )
The agreement takes effect Jan. 1, 2006, for four years.

"This is a significant agreement that works to the benefit of our customers, as it keeps base rates stable," said Bill Habermeyer, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. "As the costs of fuel continue to rise, base rate stability is particularly important. We are committed to maintaining our strong performance in the areas of reliability, service and overall value for our customers."

The average residential bill for 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity is $97.78. The base rate comprises a significant portion of most customer bills, while the fuel expense (reviewed and adjusted by the PSC annually to reflect the cost of fuel used in electricity generation) comprises the remainder. Like other utilities around the country, Progress Energy's cost of fuel used in electricity generation has increased significantly in recent months. Under state regulation, the company will be seeking to recover those higher fuel costs in a separate filing in the near future. Progress Energy makes no profit from the fuel component in rates.

Under the base rate settlement, the company will continue collecting $231.8 million in storm costs incurred during the 2004 hurricane season. The agreement allows the company to seek replenishment of its depleted storm reserve fund through the issuance of bonds, which, if used, will reduce the price impact on customers.

Other issues addressed by the settlement include:
- Revenue sharing between the company and its customers, which will
return funds to customers if the company's revenues exceed a threshold
amount;
- The continued suspension of the company's collection from customers of
the expenses to dismantle fossil-fueled power plants;
- The continued collection of the cost to construct Progress Energy's
Hines Unit 2 power plant in Polk County through the fuel-adjustment
clause through late 2007, when it will be transferred to base rates;
- The inclusion in base rates of the company's cost to construct and
operate its Hines Unit 4 power plant when that unit comes into service
in late 2007.

Financial implications

"We believe this agreement is not only good for Florida consumers, it also represents a balanced approach for the company and its shareholders," said Geoff Chatas, Progress Energy's chief financial officer.

Chatas will host a conference call with the investment community in the next week. More details will be provided as they become available. The public will be permitted to listen to the conference call via webcast.

Caution regarding forward-looking statements:

Some of the information contained in this release constitutes forward- looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information, including, among other things, impacts on the earnings, cash flow, balance sheet and other financial results, as well as operational impacts, is not historical information but is forward-looking and, accordingly, involves estimates, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement is based on information current as of the date of this report and speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and neither Progress Energy, Inc. ("Progress Energy" or the "Company"), Florida Progress Corporation ("FPC"), Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. ("PEC") nor Florida Power Corporation d/b/a Progress Energy Florida, Inc. ("PEF") undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

Examples of factors that you should consider with respect to on-going earnings guidance include, but are not limited to, the following:

- the impact of fluid and complex government laws and regulations,
including those relating to the environment;
- deregulation or restructuring in the electric industry that may result
in increased competition and unrecovered (stranded) costs and the
uncertainty regarding the timing, creation and structure of regional
transmission organizations;
- weather conditions that directly influence the demand for electricity;
- the Company's timing of recovery of the costs associated with the four
hurricanes that impacted our service territory in 2004 or the ability
to recover through the regulatory process other significant weather
events;
- recurring seasonal fluctuations in demand for electricity and
fluctuations in the price of energy commodities and purchased power;
- economic fluctuations and the corresponding impact on the Company and
its subsidiaries' commercial and industrial customers;
- the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to pay upstream dividends or
distributions to it;
- the impact on the facilities and the businesses of the company from a
terrorist attack;
- the inherent risks associated with the operation of nuclear facilities,
including environmental, health, regulatory and financial risks;
- the ability to successfully access capital markets on favorable terms;
- the ability of the Company to maintain its current credit ratings and
the impact on the Company's financial condition and ability to meet its
cash and other financial obligations in the event its credit ratings
are downgraded below investment grade;
- the impact that increases in leverage may have on the Company;
- the impact of derivative contracts used in the normal course of
business by the Company;
- investment performance of pension and benefit plans;
- the Company's ability to control costs, including pension and benefit
expense, and achieve its cost management targets for 2007;
- the availability and use of Internal Revenue Code Section 29 (Section
29) tax credits by synthetic fuel producers and the Company's continued
ability to use Section 29 tax credits related to its coal-based solid
synthetic fuel businesses and the impact to the Company's financial
condition and performance in the event it is determined the Company is
not entitled to previously taken Section 29 tax credits;
- the outcome of PEF's rate proceeding in 2005 regarding its future base
rates;
- the Company's ability to manage the risks involved with the operation
of its nonregulated plants, including dependence on third parties and
related counter-party risks, and a lack of operating history;
- the Company's ability to manage the risks associated with its energy
marketing operations;
- the outcome of any ongoing or future litigation or similar disputes and
the impact of any such outcome or related settlements; and
- unanticipated changes in operating expenses and capital expenditures.

Many of these risks similarly impact the Company's subsidiaries. These and other risk factors are detailed from time to time in the company's, FPC's, PEC's and PEF's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Many, but not all of the factors that may impact actual results are discussed in the Risk Factors sections of the Company's, FPC's, PEC's and PEF's annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, which were filed with the SEC on March 16, 2005. These reports should be read carefully. All such factors are difficult to predict, contain uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and may be beyond the control of the Company, FPC, PEC and PEF. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the effect of each such factor on the Company, FPC, PEC and PEF.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Progress Energy Florida

CONTACT: Progress Energy Florida 24-hour media line, +1-866-520-NEWS
(6397)

Web site: http://www.progress-energy.com/

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Profile: Utilities