MarketLink Pipeline Project Moving Forward Following Interim Order

Business Wire, Dec 16, 1999

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 1999--

A unit of Williams (NYSE:WMB) today reiterated its commitment to the MarketLink Expansion Project, expressing optimism in light of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's actions at its Dec. 15, 1999 meeting.

Williams Gas Pipeline Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Cuba Wadlington Jr. said, "We are firmly committed to expanding the Transco pipeline to meet the market's growing demand for clean-burning natural gas in the northeastern United States. In that regard, we are proceeding with our plan to convert our preceding agreements to binding contracts in anticipation of the project going forward.

"We are committed to constructing this project in an environmentally responsible and safe manner, adhering to all of the environmental conditions proposed by the commission. We are also committed to working with all state and federal agencies to fully comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and to address local concerns. I am confident this project will benefit the entire Mid-Atlantic region by delivering the natural gas needed to fuel new, environmentally clean, electric generation capacity."

Williams' Transco pipeline has been a primary transporter of natural gas to the Northeast for nearly 50 years. The MarketLink Expansion has been proposed to expand the capacity of the Transco pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey by 700 million cubic feet per day, helping meet the increasing demand for natural gas created by numerous factors, including tightening air pollution standards, energy deregulation and overall market growth.

Williams' gas pipeline unit is headquartered in Houston and has offices in Salt Lake City and Owensboro, Ky. Together, its five interstate natural gas pipelines are among the nation's largest-volume transporters of natural gas, delivering approximately 16 percent of the natural gas consumed in the United States. Its 27,300-mile pipeline network stretches from coast to coast with access to every major supply basin in the country.

About Williams

Williams, through its subsidiaries, provides a full range of traditional and leading-edge energy and communications services. Williams information is available at http://www.williams.com

Portions of this document may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined by federal law. Although the company believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the "safe harbor" protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the company's annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.