Penn Fuel Gas, Inc. (PFG) announced today (10/20) that its systems used in the distribution of natural gas and propane to its customers are ready for the year 2000 and beyond.

"We have been working on our Year 2000 Project since 1997 and are pleased to announce that we have completed work on those systems we use to provide safe, reliable service to our customers," said Chuck Rogala, vice president of operations for PFG.

PFG's Year 2000 Project included its subsidiaries, PFG Gas Inc. and North Penn Gas Co. The Y2K concerns arose because computer hardware and software and date-sensitive chips might not properly recognize Jan. 1, 2000, the leap year Feb. 29, 2000, and other critical dates.

Rogala said, "This has been a very important project to ensure that our customers can continue to receive the products they need for their homes."

Although the company doesn't believe the year 2000 issue will disrupt its operations or the distribution of fuel, it will have additional people working the night of Dec. 31 and the morning of Jan. 1 just in case a problem occurs.

"Planning for emergencies is part of our ongoing operations," Rogala said. "Being prepared for the rollover is part of those contingency plans."

Penn Fuel Gas, which has headquarters in Oxford, Pa., distributes and stores natural gas and sells propane. It has about 100,000 customers in Pennsylvania and northern Maryland.

Certain statements contained in this news release concerning expectations, future events or performance are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although PP&L Resources, Inc. and Penn Fuel Gas, Inc. believe that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in these statements. In addition, the information contained in this document constitutes a "Year 2000 Statement" and/or a "Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure" by Penn Fuel Gas, Inc. within the meaning of the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, P.L. 105-271, 1998 S.2392.