Allegheny Energy Awards $300,000 in TechConnect Grants to Schools; Contributions Will Purchase Computer Hardware for Math and Science Instruction.

Business Editors

HAGERSTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2001

Furthering its proud and enthusiastic commitment to communities, schools, and students, Allegheny Energy, Inc. (NYSE: AYE) announced today the award of $300,000 in TechConnect Classroom Technology Grants to schools in the mid-Atlantic region.

The 10 schools selected to receive TechConnect grants were honored at individual award ceremonies throughout the region during October. Allegheny Energy presented each TechConnect grant recipient with $30,000, which will be used to purchase computers, printers, servers, and other computer hardware. The grants will assist the schools in improving their technology programs in math and science. The 2001 TechConnect recipients include:

-- Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School, Buckhannon, W.Va.;

-- Kingwood Elementary School, Kingwood, W.Va.;

-- Moundsville Junior High School, Moundsville, W.Va.;

-- Northern Middle School, Accident, Md.;

-- Sherman Junior High School, Seth, W.Va.;

-- Suncrest Middle School, Morgantown, W.Va.;

-- Union Senior High School, Rimersburg, Pa.;

-- Westmar Middle School, Westernport, Md.;

-- Williamsport High School, Williamsport, Md.; and

-- Yough Senior High School, Herminie, Pa.

"We are excited and pleased that we are able to award TechConnect grants to 10 deserving schools," said Victoria V. Schaff, Allegheny Energy's Vice President, External Affairs. "These grants will help schools improve their technology programs in math and science and also assist schools in rural areas in closing the `digital divide' by providing students with greater access to on-line services."

"TechConnect is the perfect partnership of private enterprise and schools working together to enhance classroom resources. Allegheny Energy should be applauded for its initiative in creating and growing this exciting program," said Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools.

Public and private schools, grades kindergarten through 12, in the Company's service territory, which includes parts of Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia were eligible to apply for a TechConnect grant. More than 200 schools submitted grant proposals, which were evaluated by teams of educators and business leaders.

"We commend each school that submitted a grant request, as well as the evaluation teams, which had the extremely difficult task of reviewing so many excellent applications before deciding which 10 schools would receive TechConnect grants," Schaff said.

TechConnect is the cornerstone of Allegheny Energy's Corporate Giving Program, which contributes annually to a wide variety of community needs, including local United Way agencies, volunteer fire companies, museums, and education. By supporting technology in schools, the Company can help provide communities with highly skilled and diverse employees and increase economic development opportunities.

Supporting technology in schools is a proud legacy at Allegheny Energy. The Company donated more than $6 million in computers to area schools in the 1980s. Last year, after surveying educators and community leaders throughout the region, the Company found that schools still identified a need to provide students with better access to technology, especially in math and science. To assist schools in meeting students' needs, Allegheny Energy created a pilot program, and awarded its first $30,000 TechConnect grant to South Hagerstown High School in Washington County, Md.

To find out more about the TechConnect program, visit its web site at www.alleghenyenergy.com/techconnect.

Allegheny Energy, Inc. is a diversified energy company headquartered in Hagerstown, Md. It has been named to the Fortune 500 list, the Standard and Poor's 500 index, and the Forbes "Platinum 400" list. The Allegheny Energy family includes Allegheny Power, which delivers energy and natural gas to about three million people in parts of Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC, which develops, owns, and operates electric generating facilities and supplies and trades energy and energy related commodities in selected domestic retail and wholesale markets; and Allegheny Ventures, which invests in and develops telecommunications and energy-related projects. For more information, visit our web site at www.alleghenyenergy.com.