DUKE ENERGY GAS TRANSMISSION NEARS CONSTRUCTION OF PENNSYLVANIA PIPELINE FOR DOMINION PROJECT

HOUSTON – Duke Energy Gas Transmission announced today it will move forward with plans to construct the Dominion Expansion Project in Pennsylvania.

Approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in September, the $83 million project consists of a total of 35 miles of new 36-inch diameter pipeline loop. The new facilities are designed to transport 223,000 dekatherms a day (Dth/d) of natural gas to markets that support Dominion Transmission’s Mid-Atlantic Project, primarily local distribution companies in Maryland and Virginia.

Construction is expected to begin in early-to-mid 2004. The project is expected to be in service in November 2004.

The pipeline expansion will be constructed by DEGT’s Texas Eastern Transmission, LP affiliate within the existing Texas Eastern right-of-way at three locations between Crayne and Chambersburg in southern Pennsylvania.

“The Dominion Expansion Project will increase the energy reliability and efficiency of natural gas supplies in the growing mid-Atlantic region,” said Greg Rizzo, executive vice president of DEGT. “We are pleased to work with Dominion to bring additional pipeline infrastructure to this market and appreciate the FERC’s timely approval of this important capacity expansion project.”

Included in the project is an upgrade of some facilities at the Uniontown compressor station in Fayette County, as well as construction of the new pipeline in Greene, Fayette, Somerset, Fulton and Franklin counties of Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit www.degt-dominionexpansion.com.

Duke Energy Gas Transmission is a North American leader in developing energy infrastructure and connecting major natural gas supply basins to growing markets. The company’s natural gas operations include more than 17,500 miles of interstate transmission pipeline and 250 billion cubic feet of storage capacity in Canada and the United States. More information on DEGT can be found at:  http://www.duke-energy.com/businesses/companies/degt.asp.

Duke Energy is a diversified multinational energy company with an integrated network of energy assets and expertise. The company manages a dynamic portfolio of natural gas and electric supply, delivery and trading businesses – meeting the energy needs of customers throughout North America and in key markets around the world. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.

Contact:	John Sheridan
Phone:	617/560-1444
24-Hour Phone:	704/382-8333
e-mail:	jpsheridan@duke-energy.com