FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--October 12, 2000 - Enbridge Gas New Brunswick (EGNB) and WPS Energy Services, Inc. (WPS Energy Services) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a three-year agreement whereby WPS Energy Services will take assignment of EGNB's transportation capacity on Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline.
EGNB selected WPS Energy Services following the evaluation of submissions received from several natural gas industry participants. The selection was based on WPS Energy Services' superior proposal for the transportation capacity as well as its keen interest in the New Brunswick marketplace. With the transportation capacity, WPS Energy Services will provide competitive physical gas supply commodity and other services to end-use customers and natural gas marketers in New Brunswick.
EGNB is the operator of New Brunswick's general natural gas distribution franchise. As the distributor, EGNB provides natural gas distribution service and is not involved in the sale of natural gas.
Ensuring that a competitive market for gas commodity exists is critical to developing the natural gas market in New Brunswick. The availability of WPS Energy Services' commodity and transportation services will provide consumers with additional competitive alternatives to access natural gas. WPS Energy Services has recently filed its application with the New Brunswick Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities for gas marketer certification and expects to be ready to deliver natural gas by November 2000.
WPS Energy Services Inc. provides competitive energy supply and related services to customers throughout North America, including electricity supply to customers in Maine. WPS Energy Services is pleased to expand its natural gas supply service to New Brunswick, providing customers with a clean, safe and efficient energy source.
WPS Energy Services, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of WPS Resources Corporation (NYSE: WPS) and is headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin with regional offices in Caribou, Maine; Gardiner, Maine; Traverse City, Michigan; Port Huron, Michigan; Columbus, Ohio; and Chicago, Illinois.
Enbridge Gas New Brunswick is a partnership between Enbridge Inc. (TSE: ENB, NASDAQ: ENBR), a Calgary-based leader in energy transportation, distribution and services; and a group of local New Brunswick investors. The partners all share a vision and determination to bring the benefits of natural gas to as many New Brunswickers as possible.
For further information about WPS Energy Services, Inc., visit the WPS Energy Services Web site at www.wpsenergy.com.
For further information about Enbridge Gas New Brunswick, visit the Enbridge Gas New Brunswick Web site at www.egnb.enbridge.com.
For more information please contact:
Enbridge Gas New Brunswick
Mark Butler
(506) 457-7721
Website: www.egnb.enbridge.com
Website: www.enbridge.com
or
WPS Energy Services, Inc.
Andrew Hess
(920) 490-6014
Website: www.wpsenergy.com