Dominion Resources announced Friday it has signed an agreementwith General Electric Co. for an option to purchase 10 naturalgas-fired electric generation turbines for an undisclosed sum.

The announcement came three days after Dominion and ConsolidatedNatural Gas announced they expect to begin development of a totalof four natural gas-fired generation facilities in three states.The GE Model PA7241-FA turbines, which each have a rated capacityof 172 MW, are expected to be used in these facilities.

The four facilities are part of an exclusive alliance agreementbetween Dominion and CNG, which are merging, to build and operatenatural gas-fired electric generation businesses along CNG’s gaspipeline system. The two companies are evaluating sites inArmstrong County, Pennsylvania; Muskingum County and Wood County,Ohio; and Pleasants County, West Virginia.

The four projects could represent a combined capacity of 2,400MW and a total investment of $800 million. Construction isexpected to begin in 2001 and be completed by mid-2002.

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