ADVISORY/ News Conference to Announce Results of Gas Study and the Impact On New England's Electric Power Supply

Business Wire, Feb 2, 2001

Business Editors

ADVISORY...for Monday (Feb. 5)

HOLYOKE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2001

ISO New England, the operator of the region's bulk electric power supply, will release a new study at a news conference in Boston on Monday that raises concerns about the region's increased reliance on natural gas to power electric generating plants. Natural gas fired electric energy is projected to increase from 16% in 1999 to roughly 45% by 2005.

The study:

-- assesses whether the current natural gas pipeline system has enough capacity to meet the region's power needs;

-- addresses the implications of a capacity problem.

EVENT:     William W. Berry, Acting CEO and Chairman of ISO
             New England Board of Directors
           Steven G. Whitley, Vice President, System Operations,
            ISO New England
           Richard L. Levitan, Principal of Levitan Associates,
            author of the study

DATE:      Monday, February 5, 2001
           10:30 am

LOCATION:  Quincy Room
           Swissotel
           Avenue de Lafayette (Downtown Crossing)
           Boston, Massachusetts
           (617) 451-2600

ISO New England's Acting CEO and Chairman will also discuss and answer questions about the reliability and future supply of energy in New England.

ISO New England is the not-for-profit corporation responsible for the day-to-day reliable operation of New England's bulk power grid, as well as administrator of the region's wholesale electricity marketplace. ISO New England (www.iso-ne.com) is based in Holyoke, Massachusetts.