AGRA Cogenex Signs Master Energy Services Agreement with DuPont Canada Inc.

Business/Technology Editors

TORONTO, Ontario and LOWELL, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2000

AGRA Cogenex announced today that it has signed a Master Energy Service Agreement with DuPont Canada Inc. to develop and implement energy savings programs for all DuPont Canada sites. Under the agreement, DuPont Canada and AGRA Cogenex will review all aspects of DuPont Canada's energy needs, identify ways to save energy costs, and install new equipment and processes to improve operational efficiencies. AGRA Cogenex is a 50/50 partnership between AGRA Monenco, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGRA Inc. of Toronto, Canada (TSE:AGR) and EUA Cogenex Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastern Utilities Associates (NYSE:EUA).

"As a long-standing engineering partner for DuPont Canada, AGRA is continually looking for ways to help our clients enhance their business," said Peter Janson, President and CEO of AGRA Inc. "This agreement will provide our customer with leading technologies in process and pollution control to not only improve efficiencies and save them money, but also help the environment."

"With this agreement, DuPont Canada expects to increase the rate at which it will implement economical energy conservation measures towards its energy reduction goals. Through our participation in the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC), we will work to leverage our experience and encourage other industrial companies to accelerate their energy conservation efforts", said Dave Colcleugh, Chairman, President and CEO, DuPont Canada.

"Together, we will provide DuPont with solutions that will help them reduce costs and see a faster return on investment than with traditional energy projects," said Ed Liston, President and CEO, Cogenex.

DuPont Canada is a science company, with 1998 revenues exceeding CDN$2.0 billion, serving customers across Canada and in more than 40 other countries. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company operates six manufacturing sites and employs more than 3,300 people. For more information about DuPont Canada, please visit the company's Web site at http://dupont.ca.

AGRA Monenco is one of North America's largest professional service and applied technology companies focused in the areas of engineering, construction, environment and technology. AGRA Inc. employs 6,500 people in 180 offices in 24 countries. Its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGR. AGRA's Web site is located at http://agra.com.

EUA Cogenex is a North American performance contracting company that invests its financial resources and engineering expertise to implement facility improvements and reduce operating costs for select institutions and businesses. Headquartered in Lowell, Massachusetts, EUA Cogenex satisfies both financial and operational needs with technical solutions so clients can focus on their core business. Information about EUA Cogenex is available at http://cogenex.com.