PNGTS and Maritimes apply for Joint Pipeline.

PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 1997--Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. today filed a formal application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct joint pipeline facilities from Dracut, Massachusetts to Westbrook, Maine (near the City of Portland). The joint pipeline involves approximately 100 miles of 30-inch pipeline between an interconnection with the Tennessee Gas Pipeline and an interconnection with the upstream portions of the proposed PNGTS system and the proposed Maritimes & Northeast system.

Michael A. Minkos, president of PNGTS Operating Co., LLC, stated that, "Building the southern leg of PNGTS jointly with Maritimes will result in less environmental impact than building two separate lines and it will reduce costs for our customers -- it is a win-win proposition."

The joint filing addresses the desirability of installing a single, larger diameter pipeline where the routes of the two proposed projects generally overlap, rather than installing two separate pipelines. The route for the joint pipeline reflects the best combination of the routes that were already under review and incorporates feedback received from the FERC environmental staff. The parties have requested FERC to issue a preliminary determination on the joint facilities application by May 31, 1997 and have requested a final order and certificate for the joint pipeline by August 31, 1997. The joint facilities are slated for initial operation beginning in November, 1998.

Note to editors: Including the joint pipeline, Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) is a proposed 290-mile, U.S. $302 million project sponsored by an international consortium of energy companies including subsidiaries of: Bay State Gas Company; El Paso Energy; Gaz Metropolitain; MCN Energy; TransCanada PipeLines; and US Generating Company. PNGTS plans to transport natural gas from an interconnection with TransCanada PipeLines near Pittsburg, New Hampshire, to an interconnection with Tennessee Gas Pipeline beginning in November, 1998, serving a variety of markets throughout the region.

For information about Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, please call: Jim Grasso [phone].

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