Shareholder

GPU Inc., parent of New Jersey’s largest electric utility, GPUEnergy, unveiled a multi-point program designed to enhanceshareholder returns at the Edison Electric Institute FinanceConference in Orlando, FL, yesterday. The plan includes a $100million cost reduction over the next two years, a $40-$50 millioninvestment to improve the company’s reliability and a non-coreasset sale designed to generate over $500 million.

CTG Resources Inc., parent of Connecticut Natural Gas, announcedit has retained Paine Webber Inc. to advise it on strategicalternatives to maximize shareholder value, including the potentialsale of the company and acquisitions of nonregulated enterprises toexpand the company’s district heating and cooling activities.

CTG Resources Inc., parent of Connecticut Natural Gas, announcedit has retained Paine Webber Inc. to advise it on strategicalternatives to maximize shareholder value, including the potentialsale of the company and acquisitions of nonregulated enterprises toexpand the company’s district heating and cooling activities.

Shareowners of Western Resources and Kansas City Power &Light approved the merger of the companies to form Westar Energy.Approval required a majority of Western Resources common shares andtwo-thirds of KCPL outstanding common shares. About 98% of thevoting Western shares approved the transaction, representing 77% ofall shares outstanding. Nearly 94% of KCPL shares represented andvoting approved the transaction, representing 74.4% of alloutstanding KCPL shares.

Chesapeake Energy completed its acquisition of Hugoton Energyafter receiving shareholder approvals. Proforma for the Hugotontransaction and other announced pending acquisitions, Chesapeake’sproved oil and gas reserves will be about 1,050 Bcfe, of which 80%are natural gas. In addition, about 70% of Chesapeake’s reserveswill be proved developed producing, and 75% will consist oflong-lived Midcontinent reserves. Estimated proforma dailyproduction will exceed 410 MMcfe. Trading of Hugoton stock ceasedMarch 10, and each outstanding common share of Hugoton stock wasconverted into the right to receive 1.3 shares of Chesapeake commonstock. Holders of fractional shares will receive $8.78/Hugotonshare. About 26 million additional shares of Chesapeake will beissued to Hugoton shareholders. Including $120 million of Hugotondebt assumed by Chesapeake, the transaction is worth about $300million.