GPU Energy Appoints Senior Vice President-New Jersey; Michael B. Roche Assumes New Responsibilities.

MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1999--

GPU Energy President Robert L. Wise announced today that Michael B. Roche has been appointed to the position of Senior Vice President of GPU Energy in New Jersey, effective immediately, with responsibility of overseeing all GPU Energy operations in the state. Roche will report directly to Wise.

In making the announcement, Wise pointed to the need to sharply focus on customers and their needs as the industry restructures. "It is particularly important as we enter into an environment of growing competition that we strengthen our relationship with all of our customers and continue to enhance our service to them," said Wise. "Great companies are continuously finding ways to get closer to their customers. In dedicating this officer's focus to New Jersey, we are emphasizing our commitment to our customers."

"Mike has been one of GPU's `turn to' people throughout his career, most recently when he was named to lead our Oyster Creek Nuclear Station in Forked River, N.J. He brings the leadership that we need to maintain high standards in all our operations in New Jersey - from customer service to system reliability to community relations." said Wise. "An important element of those standards is the continuous strengthening of our communication with regulatory officials of New Jersey as well as all GPU Energy customers in the state."

GPU Nuclear President T. Gary Broughton has named Sander Levin, Director of Operations and Maintenance at Oyster Creek Site Director of the facility on an interim basis. Levin will continue in his role as the Director, Operations and Maintenance.

Wise said that Roche will work closely with all GPU Energy departments with special emphasis on infrastructure, customer service and government and regulatory affairs. Wise also said that Roche will have access to all GPU System resources and will have the authority to commit the company to action based on consultation with senior management.

"In order for us to succeed in a competitive environment, we must make sure our basics are kept in order. That means assuring good system reliability and top-notch customer service," said Roche. "Our goal will be to achieve top-quartile performance in both areas."

Prior to his Oyster Creek assignment, Roche served as vice president from 1993 to 1995, responsible for coordinating performance improvement activities for GPU System companies. From 1990 to 1993, he was the vice president of GPU Service Corporation and director for a planned high-volt transmission line project. Prior to that he was vice president and director of GPU Nuclear and had lead responsibility for the defueling and cleanup of the damaged Three Mile Island Unit 2 nuclear plant in Middletown, PA. He also served as vice president and director of the radiological and environmental controls division of GPU Nuclear from 1987 to 1988, and concurrently held the posts of deputy director of maintenance, construction and facilities and vice president of GPU's Saxton Nuclear Experimental Corp. from 1984 to 1988. He joined the GPU system in 1974 as an environmental scientist for Jersey Central Power and Light Co., a GPU domestic electric subsidiary currently doing business as GPU Energy.

Roche currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association of Ocean County and on the Executive Board of the Jersey Shore Council Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of the Monmouth/Ocean Development Council. Earlier in his career Roche served on the Environmental Committee and for three years chaired the Planning Board for Washington Township of Morris County.

GPU, Inc. (NYSE:GPU), headquartered in Morristown, NJ, is a registered utility holding company providing utility and utility related services to customers throughout the world. GPU's electric and gas utility companies--GPU Energy, Midlands Electricity, GPU PowerNet, GPU GasNet and Emdersa--serve nearly 6 million customers in the United States, the UK, Australia and Argentina. The company's independent power project units own and operate 22 projects in 7 countries and the United States. GPU's 1998 revenues were $ 4.3 billion and its total assets were $16.3 billion. GPU's other subsidiaries include GPU Advanced Resources, Inc., GPU Generation, Inc., GPU Nuclear, Inc., GPU Service, Inc. and GPU Telcom Services, Inc. (http://www.gpu.com)