$100,000 Bangor Hydro Gift to Help Power Jackson Laboratory Capital Campaign.

Business Editors

BANGOR, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2004

Bangor Hydro Electric Company has made a $100,000 contribution, payable over the next five years, to The Jackson Laboratory's capital campaign, in support of a major research expansion.

In announcing the donation, Ray Robinson, Bangor Hydro's Chief Operating Officer, said, "We are proud to partner with The Jackson Laboratory in their ground-breaking genetics research. The Laboratory's studies in cancer, heart disease, diabetes and many other diseases will provide a healthier future for us, for our families, and for our friends and neighbors."

On August 16, The Jackson Laboratory began the public phase of its 5-year, $85 million capital campaign, of which $48 million-including the Bangor Hydro gift-is already pledged or in hand. Of the funds raised, $60 million will support construction of new buildings, and the remaining $25 million will help increase endowment funding for long-term initiatives and upgrade methods for providing genetic resources and data to the worldwide scientific community.

"I was impressed by what I heard and saw when I visited The Jackson Laboratory this summer," said Lu Ann Williams, Bangor Hydro's Communications Officer. "Their work will change all our lives for the better. Also, as the largest employer in Hancock County, the Laboratory provides a base of year-round jobs that has a very positive impact on the economy of Eastern Maine and on Bangor Hydro's customers."

Jackson Laboratory Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D., noted, "The Hydro's recent, generous gift to help us expand shows that they value our mission to improve human health, and are committed to supporting a healthy economy in Eastern Maine. We're grateful for the opportunity to partner with Maine businesses like Bangor Hydro."

The Jackson Laboratory, founded in 1929, is a world leader in mammalian genetics research. With more than 1,300 employees, the nonprofit, independent facility has a mission to improve the quality of human life through discoveries arising from its own genetics research and by enabling the research and education of others.

Bangor Hydro-Electric: Bangor Hydro-Electric (BHE) is an electric utility wholly-owned by Emera Inc. BHE serves a population of 192,000 in an area encompassing 5,275 square miles in eastern and east coastal Maine. BHE is a member of the New England Power Pool and is interconnected with other New England utilities to the south and with the New Brunswick Power Corp. to the north. Visit us at www.bhe.com.

Emera Inc. (TSX:EMA) is a diversified energy and services company, with 550,000 customers and $4.0 billion in assets. The company has two wholly owned regulated electric utility subsidiaries, Nova Scotia Power Inc. and Bangor Hydro-Electric Company. Nova Scotia Power supplies over 95% of the electric generation, transmission and distribution in Nova Scotia. Bangor Hydro provides electricity transmission and distribution service to 107,000 customers in eastern Maine. It is a member of the New England Power Pool, and is interconnected with the other New England utilities to the south and with New Brunswick Power to the north. In addition, Emera Energy includes Emera's 12.5% interest in the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, which delivers Sable natural gas to markets in Maritime Canada and the northeastern United States, Emera Energy Services, Emera Fuels, and Emera's business development activities.