August 15, 2002

Balancing Pool Fulfils Role in Securitization Transaction

The Balancing Pool has fulfilled its role in the closing today of the securitization transaction of the 2000 Pool Price Deferral Accounts for ATCO Electric Limited and Aquila Networks Canada (Alberta) Ltd. This transaction, which was granted approval by the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board on June 24, 2002, related to the securitization of some $300 million of deferral account balances.

The Balancing Pool played a key role in providing indemnification to the securitzation conduit in order to minimize the political/regulatory risk associated with the transaction. As part of this process, the Balancing Pool obtained a corporate credit rating from Dominion Bond Rating Service and also arranged a back-stop credit facility with a major Canadian chartered bank.

Similar transactions are presently under consideration for EPCOR Distribution Inc. and ENMAX Energy Corporation.

For more information, please contact:
Gary Reynolds
Chief Financial Officer, Balancing Pool 430-538-3443