Reliant Energy Thermal Systems, an unregulated affiliate ofReliant Energy’s Retail Group, is providing energy managementservices to the Astrodomain Complex for SMG/LMI, contractor to theHarris County (TX) Management Corp. The stadium and exhibitioncomplex is made up of Houston’s Astrodome, Astrohall andAstroArena. SMG/LMI contracted with Reliant Energy Thermal Systemsfor an initial three-year period to provide operation andmaintenance of the cooling and heating plants, including HVAC(heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) systems; maintenanceof the plumbing, electrical, and lighting systems; and utilitymanagement and new plant consulting services. The effective date ofthe contract was April 1, with renewal options. Other terms are notbeing disclosed.

MDU Resources Group, Inc. said its subsidiary, WBI Holdings,Inc., bought 1 Tcf of coal-bed methane gas reserves, productionfacilities, 187,000 acres of properties and a Powder River Basingathering system in Wyoming from Preston, Reynolds & Co., Inc.The acquisition is expected to be accretive to MDU earnings in thefirst year. Financial details were not disclosed. The effectivedate of the deal was April 1. Redstone Gas Partners, LLC, asubsidiary of Preston, Reynolds & Co. and the operator of allthe leasehold positions, is included in the acquisition. Theexisting management and operating teams at Preston, Reynolds &Co. and Redstone are being retained. “This acquisition makes us asubstantial player in one of the most rapidly developing andexciting natural gas exploration and production regions in theonshore United States,” stated John K. Castleberry, president andchief executive officer of WBI Holdings, Inc. “The management teamof Redstone Gas Partners, LLC, was one of the first operators tosuccessfully develop coal bed methane reserves and production and,as a result, has a strong geologic and hydrologic understanding ofthe development.”

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