Catamount Energy Sells Interest in Williams Lake Facility.

RUTLAND, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 1997--Catamount Energy Corp., the energy investment subsidiary of Central Vermont Public Service Corp., (NYSE:CV) announced today that it has sold its limited partnership interest in the Williams Lake Generating Facility located in Williams Lake, British Columbia. Catamount purchased an 8-percent interest in the 60-megawatt (MW) wood-waste-fired electrical generating facility in March 1993, shortly before it went into commercial operation.

Catamount and its partner, Tondu Energy Systems, sold their interests to BC Gas, the majority partner. The sale yielded a gain of $0.15 per common share for CV shareholders, which will be reflected in the third quarter.

"While Catamount was not actively seeking to sell this asset, the sale was a unique opportunity to receive an advantageous price," said Robert H. Young, president and CEO of Catamount and CV. "Catamount is assessing various options to reinvest the proceeds of the sale within its focus of 10-100 MW independent power projects in the United States, Canada and Western Europe."

Catamount has approximately $30 million invested in 5 operating plants located in Maine, Vermont, Virginia and Idaho; and one biomass plant under construction in England.

CONTACT: Catamount Energy Corp.

William R. Behling

802-747-5598

[e-mail]