Aquila Power Services Acquires Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control Inc.; Acquisition Further Enhances Aquila's Growth Strategy

Business Wire, August 12, 2002

Business/Energy Editors

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 2002

Aquila Power Services Corporation, a privately held portfolio company of First Reserve Corporation, announced today the acquisition of Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control Inc. ("Wheelabrator"). Wheelabrator is a leader in the design and supply of air pollution control products for the coal fired utility industry and industrial markets such as steel, cement, waste to energy, petrochemical and others. The acquisition of Wheelabrator is Aquila's third acquisition and further enhances Aquila's strategy to assemble a platform of complementary businesses providing services and equipment to the worldwide power industry and other industrial markets.

Founded in 1913, Wheelabrator (Pittsburgh) engineers, designs and supplies air pollution control products including fabric filter systems, electrostatic precipitators and both wet and dry scrubbing systems. In addition, Wheelabrator provides a broad range of service capabilities including process analysis, system design, erection, start-up and complete aftermarket parts and services.

Joe Compofelice, CEO of Aquila Power Services, stated that "Aquila Power Services is building a balance of service and equipment companies that serve the electricity generation market and certain other industrial markets. Wheelabrator is one of the strongest brand names in the pollution control industry. Wheelabrator's participation in the coal-fired generation and other industrial markets provides balance and customer diversity with Aquila's presence in the gas-fired generation equipment market through C&W Fabricators. Aquila's recently acquired Welding Services Inc. subsidiary adds to this balance with its industry-leading position for its services in coal-fired, nuclear-based and waste-to-energy generation. With the addition of Wheelabrator, the majority of Aquila's revenue and earnings are weighted towards the maintenance, repair and retrofit applications in the electricity generation market including coal, nuclear and waste to energy." Compofelice further stated that, "Aquila intends to merge Wheelabrator and C&W into one operating unit to streamline their operations in the equipment area, create cost savings and enable Wheelabrator to take advantage of the engineering and manufacturing expertise of C&W."

"The advantages of this transaction to Wheelabrator are quite significant," according to Antonio DoVale, president of Wheelabrator, who will assume responsibility, as president, for the combined equipment operations. "Aquila Power Services gives us the financial strength and market presence to compete successfully on the larger utility projects. Wheelabrator believes that the air pollution control market will surge in the next few years as utilities strive to meet the sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and heavy metals requirements of the Clean Air Act, President Bush's Clear Skies Initiative and emerging state and local regulations."

Wheelabrator is headquartered in Pittsburgh, as will be the combined equipment operations group. For the three years ended Dec. 31, 2001, Wheelabrator has had average annual revenues of approximately $130 million.

About Aquila Power Services Corporation

First Reserve Corporation recently formed Aquila Power Services Corporation (Houston) to capitalize on the projected growth for services and equipment in the power and other industries, both domestically and internationally. Aquila is assembling a platform of complementary companies providing services and equipment to the worldwide power industry. To date, Aquila has acquired C&W Fabricators Inc. (a leading supplier of engineered components to combustion turbine manufacturers), Welding Services Inc. (a leading specialty mechanical maintenance contractor) and Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control Inc. Aquila's equity investors include First Reserve, Duke Capital, CIBC Capital and Abbott Capital.

www.aquilapowerservices.com

www.wapc.com

About First Reserve Corporation

First Reserve Corporation (Greenwich, Conn.) is the leading private equity firm specializing in the energy industry, with $2.5 billion under management. Founded in 1980, First Reserve was the first private equity investment firm to actively pursue building a broadly diversified investment portfolio within the energy industry. First Reserve is currently or was previously the largest shareholder of Chicago Bridge & Iron, Pride International, National Oilwell, Weatherford International, Maverick Tube Corporation, Cal Dive, and Superior Energy Services.

www.frcorp.com