GPU Welcomes CECA Plan for Distributed Energy Resources.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2001

Fred D. Hafer, chairman, president and chief executive officer of GPU, Inc. (NYSE: GPU) said that findings and recommendations announced today by the Consumer Energy Council of America (CECA) "set forth a useful blueprint for bringing distributed energy resources into the mainstream of the electric industry as a key energy solution of the future."

Hafer's comments followed release today by CECA of a comprehensive proposal for enlisting distributed energy resources - electricity generated on or near the user's site -- to help America's electricity system to better deal with increasing demand, a greater need for reliability, and constraints on supply and transmission.

Hafer added: "GPU is doing more than more than just endorsing principles for distributed energy. We are beginning to implement distributed solutions where appropriate, and we will continue to expand these applications as economics and customer demands make them more practical."

Michael J. Chesser, president of GPU Energy, GPU's domestic electric transmission and distribution company, said: "The expansion of distributed resources points the way to opportunities for improving the environment, utilizing electric industry assets more efficiently, and for customers and electric companies to work together in this effort. Over the near term, we are actively working to provide distributed alternatives to our customers. Long-term, we are seeking ways, through our long-term equity investments and partnerships with providers of technology and solutions to bring future projects to commercial fruition."

GPU, Inc., headquartered in Morristown, NJ, is a registered public utility holding company providing utility and utility-related services to customers throughout the world. GPU serves 4.6 million customers directly through its electric companies -- GPU Energy in the US, GPU Power UK in England, and Emdersa in Argentina. It serves an additional 1.4 million customers indirectly through GPU GasNet, its gas transmission subsidiary in Australia. The company's independent power project business units own interests in and operate eight projects in five countries. GPU's 2000 revenues were $5.2 billion and its total assets were more than $19 billion. GPU's other subsidiaries include MYR Group Inc., GPU Advanced Resources, Inc., GPU Nuclear, Inc., GPU Service, Inc. GPU Telcom Services, Inc. and GPU Diversified Holdings LLC. (http://www.gpu.com)