Partnership to Restore Connecticut Wetlands Launched by Industry, Government.

Business Editors and Environmental Writers

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 2000

Corporate executives with state and federal officials today launched the Connecticut Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, a new public-private initiative to restore Connecticut's environmentally valuable wetlands and other aquatic habitats.

The voluntary Partnership combines corporate contributions with federal and state funds to undertake restoration of degraded coastal and freshwater wetlands.

Business leaders of the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership are Duracell of Bethel, a division of The Gillette Company, and Northeast Utilities, based in Hartford. The Partnership will work with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the federal office of Coastal America, representing 12 federal departments and agencies. Partners also include non-profit groups and academia.

Monica Roll, Director of Environment, Health and Safety for Duracell, said, "Duracell is proud to lead this exciting new environmental initiative in Connecticut. With industry and government working together, we can make significant progress in restoring our valuable wetlands.

Roll said the Partnership's goal is to bring aboard more than 20 corporate partners and $1 million in its first year.

At the kickoff meeting, Lynne Hamajian, chief of the Connecticut office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, presented a $25,000 check to the Partnership, to add to the contributions by Duracell and Northeast Utilities.

Ron Rozsa, Coastal Ecologist for Connecticut DEP, said, "Connecticut welcomes this opportunity to work with private industry to restore our important coastal and freshwater wetlands. Corporate contributions to the Partnership will make Connecticut eligible for more federal funds for restoration projects."

Wetlands are vital to water supplies, flood control, and maintaining plant and animal habitats, Rozsa noted. Connecticut has lost 30 percent of its tidal wetlands and one-third to one-half of its inland wetlands, he said. Restoration returns these vital functions to degraded wetlands.

Tim Keeney, Director of Environmental Services for Northeast Utilities, said, "Northeast Utilities supports the important work of this partnership because environmental stewardship is a core value of our business". He urged Connecticut industry to join the new Partnership.

All projects that receive Partnership funds will be Coastal America-approved projects, making them eligible for federal and state matching funds. On average, every dollar of corporate contribution will bring up to three dollars in federal funds.

Types of habitats that will be candidates for the Partnership funds include Connecticut wetlands, salt marsh, rivers and streams, and lakes and ponds. Project work may include fill removal, channel clearing and enlarging, Companies may contribute funds or in-kind services such as engineering. Because the Partnership is designed for both large and small companies, corporate contributions are not disclosed.

The Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership was created in Massachusetts in 1999 by The Gillette Company, state environmental agencies, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To date, 17 companies have joined the Massachusetts Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, contributing more than $1 million in funds and in-kind services.

The Connecticut program is part of the New England Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, announced earlier this year by U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-Mass). Last month in Washington, DC, Gillette, the National Association of Manufacturers, and Coastal America launched the National Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, taking the program nationwide.

Coastal America is a partnership among federal, state and local governments and private alliances to address environmental problems affecting our nation's coasts, waterways and wetlands. The federal partners are: the Departments of Agriculture, Air Force, Army, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Navy, Transportation; the Environmental Protection Agency; and The Executive Office of the President.

Northeast Utilities (NU) is New England's largest electric utility system, serving more than 1.7 million customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. NU is committed to environmental leadership and stewardship by pursuing creative, innovative initiatives and new technologies that protect the environment and are consistent with our corporate goals. For more information on NU, please see our Web site at www.nu.com.

As part of The Gillette Company, Duracell is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance alkaline batteries. Duracell also markets primary lithium and zinc air batteries as well as rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries. With headquarters in Bethel, Connecticut, Duracell sells its batteries throughout the world, primarily under the DURACELL trademark.

Headquartered in Boston, Mass., The Gillette Company is the world leader in male grooming, a category that includes blades, razors and shaving preparations. Gillette also holds the number one position worldwide in selected female grooming products, such as wet shaving products and hair epilation devices. In addition, the Company is the world leader in alkaline batteries, toothbrushes and oral care appliances, and correction products.