DUKE ENERGY GAS TRANSMISSION NAMES GREG EBEL PRESIDENT, UNION GAS

CHATHAM, ONTARIO. – Duke Energy Gas Transmission (DEGT) today announced the appointment of Gregory L. Ebel as president of its Union Gas operations, effective Jan. 1, 2005.

Ebel is replacing John Wellard, who will be retiring in early 2005.

Ebel  currently serves as Duke Energy’s vice president of investor and shareholder relations and secretary of the company’s Executive Committee. Previously, Ebel was managing director of mergers and acquisitions for Duke Energy. Ebel was vice president of strategic development for Westcoast Energy when it was acquired by Duke Energy in 2002.

Originally from Ontario, Ebel will be based out of Union Gas’ head office in Chatham. He will report to Phil Knoll, group vice president, DEGT.

“John has been a distinguished leader in the natural gas industry in Ontario and Canada, and has been instrumental in continuing Union Gas' strong traditions in the province,” said Tom O’Connor, president DEGT. "Under Greg’s leadership, Union Gas’ assets will continue to play an expanding role in meeting the current and future energy needs of the province of Ontario and the Northeast.”

“I am looking forward to returning to Ontario and to working with Union Gas’ employees, customers, regulators, the communities in which we operate and the many other partners who are important to our business success,” Ebel said. “This is an exciting time to be joining the Union Gas team. Ontario faces some significant challenges on the energy front and Union Gas is well positioned to play a major role in helping to meet those challenges.”

Union Gas is an integrated natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company serving about 1.2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities in southwestern, northern and eastern Ontario. The Company also provides storage and transportation services to other energy companies in Ontario, Quebec and the United States. Union Gas is a Duke Energy company. 

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 transmission pipeline and about 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 energy company with a portfolio of natural gas and electric businesses, both regulated and unregulated, and an affiliated real estate company. Duke Energy supplies, delivers and processes energy for customers in North America and selected international markets. In 2004, the company celebrates a century of service with the 100th anniversary of its electric utility Duke Power. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy 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: http://www.duke-energy.com.

Contact:	Roz Elliott
Phone:	519/436-4624
24-Hour Phone:	704/382-8333
e-mail:	rlelliot@duke-energy.com