Ultramar

PG&E Corp. and Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp. (UDS)announced yesterday they had signed a letter of intent to enterinto what is probably the largest energy purchase alliance to datein the industry, representing about $2 billion in electricity,natural gas and steam purchases over a seven-year period. UDS isone of the largest independent refiners in the U.S., with sevenrefineries in the U.S. and Canada processing 650,000 barrels perday, 6,400 branded retail gasoline/convenience stores, and a largehome heating oil business in the Northeast.