ESG Offers Consolidated Billing Service for Deregulated Electricity Markets; Service Will Help Energy Service Providers Bill Their Customers.

PEMBROKE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1999--

Energy Services Group, LLC (ESG) announced today the availability of a Consolidated Billing Service for Energy Service Providers (ESPs). ESG's newest outsourcing service provides billing functionality to ESPs by complying with the consolidated billing requirements of Pennsylvania and New Jersey Electric Distribution Companies.

ESG currently manages the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) operations of several of the country's largest Energy Service Providers. "Consolidated billing is an attractive choice for ESPs from a cost perspective, but it requires significant EDI capabilities," said Nate Owen, President of ESG. "Our consolidated billing service is a cost-effective alternative for ESPs that want the electric distribution company (EDC) to bill their customers but don't want to invest in industrial strength EDI."

Consolidated Billing is one option that competitive energy suppliers have as they bill for energy sales in deregulated service territories. One of the parties, either the EDC or the ESP, assumes responsibility for processing one bill for the customer. The bill contains charges from both the ESP and the EDC, much like telephone statements contain charges for both long distance and local carriers. The most popular flavor of consolidated billing is EDC consolidated billing, where the EDC bills for the ESP's energy sales.

ESG is targeting four EDCs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that offer bill ready EDC consolidated billing options: PECO, PP&L, Conectiv and PSE&G. These four are particularly important for competitive suppliers because shopping credits are relatively high in these service territories and these EDCs do not provide a rate ready consolidated billing option.

"We are prepared to perform either rate ready or bill ready consolidated billing for clients. In addition, we are prepared to meet the specific requirements of individual EDCs, such as PSE&G in New Jersey," stated Owen. PSE&G's implementation of EDC Consolidated Billing is particularly burdensome for ESPs as they are required to maintain limited billing information, such as payment histories and balances. Most EDCs only require rates, usage and current charges.

About Energy Services Group

Energy Services Group delivers data and transaction processing services tailored to meet specific requirements of electricity, natural gas and telecom markets. ESG processed the first enrollment transaction for electric service in the United States and has been providing data and transaction processing services to competitive energy markets since 1997. ESG's clientele includes energy companies that will serve approximately 20 states by 2001, reaching a market of 30 million customers who generate annual energy revenues of approximately $200 billion.