PPL Montana Commits $23 Million for Recreation, Fisheries, Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat Development

HELENA, Mont. (Oct. 7, 2002) - PPL Montana announced today that it is committing $23 million over the next 10 years for recreation, fisheries, water quality and wildlife habitat development in Montana along a 524-mile portion of the Madison-Missouri River corridor.

"PPL Montana is extremely pleased to be involved in a landmark development project dedicated to long-term environmental stewardship for the state of Montana," said Brad Spencer, vice president and chief operating officer, PPL Montana. "This public/private partnership will have an extraordinary impact on some of the state's most valuable resources."

PPL Montana is joining with federal, state and private organizations in funding the improvements in the corridor stretching from Hebgen to the Fred Robinson bridge. The company's commitment has leveraged an additional $51 million in matching funds through partnerships with federal, state and other private organizations.

Spencer said that PPL Montana's commitment is one of the largest corporate environmental contributions in the history of Montana.

Joining PPL Montana in these important projects are the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Montana Department of Environmental Quality; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Geological Survey; and the U. S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. Private organizations include the Cinnabar Foundation, the Fanwood Foundation, Sunburst Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, American Rivers, Montana Stockgrowers and others.

PPL Montana will be matching funds provided by the other partners so that everyone involved will have a voice and a financial stake in project development.

The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding with state, federal and private entities, will allow both PPL Montana and the state to move forward jointly on stewardship projects of common interest. The resource plans were initially developed through a collaborative effort during the relicensing process for Montana's nine projects on the river system.

The comprehensive stewardship program and funds will be directed to activities involving Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Recreation, Fisheries, Wildlife Habitat, Water Quality and Cultural Resources development associated with the Madison-Missouri River system.

PPL Montana is a subsidiary of PPL Corporation. Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., PPL Corporation controls nearly 11,500 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets, and delivers electricity to customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America.