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Dynegy Land Donation Expands Public Lands in Illinois

Posted on: Thursday, 5 April 2007, 12:00 CDT

Dynegy Inc. (NYSE:DYN) today announced the transfer of 1,135 acres along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River -- the state's only National Scenic River -- to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The Vermilion land donation was announced in March 2005 as part of Dynegy's agreement to further lower air emissions from the company's power generation facilities in Illinois and to complete other specified environmental projects. During the last eight years, Dynegy has reduced overall emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from its Illinois coal-fired fleet by approximately 90 percent.

The tract in Vermilion County creates a physical and biological linkage between the Kickapoo State Recreation Area, the Kennekuk Cove County Park and the Middle Fork Fish and Wildlife Area. The Dynegy parcel is primarily wooded, dominated by a very large, forested ravine system. Features of the tract include a 100-foot bluff, prairie vegetation, open-grown white oaks, seep springs and a diverse assemblage of wetland plants. Dynegy's donation of this land to the IDNR ensures the continued preservation and public use of this property.

The adjacent Middle Fork of the Vermilion River was designated a National Scenic River by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1989. The Middle Fork of the Vermilion River is recognized as a high quality stream of state-wide significance and supports several state-listed species, some of which occur nowhere else in Illinois.

The IDNR has communicated that a natural resource management plan will be developed after a full assessment of the recreational opportunities of the site. That plan will help meet the IDNR goal of promoting natural resource stewardship through ecosystem perspectives and management. The property will be opened to the public after the IDNR's plan has been developed and implemented.

Other Dynegy environmental initiatives undertaken by agreement for expanding public lands in Illinois and protecting the state's natural environment include:

The purchase and donation to the IDNR of the Bohm Woods, an 89-acre forested tract near Edwardsville in Madison County. The tract is located in the proximity of a previously dedicated nature preserve. The purchase helps the IDNR achieve its objective of acquiring natural lands and habitat in the St. Louis Metro East area. The Bohm Woods was purchased for $1.5 million in March 2006 and has been transferred to the IDNR, which will serve as the permanent steward of the property.

$525,000 has been used to fund projects along the Illinois River, including the restoration of a variety of fish and waterfowl habitats in Fulton, Marshall and Peoria counties, as well as a forest and prairie restoration project in Mason County.

"Illinois is part of one of our key business regions, and is where the majority of our employees in that region work and live," said Stephen A. Furbacher, President and Chief Operating Officer of Dynegy Inc. "We are committed to making a positive difference in Illinois by protecting ecosystems. These environmental initiatives support the long-term preservation of some of the state's most scenic areas, while providing expanded outdoor opportunities for current and future generations."

"This generous and environmentally important donation of land by Dynegy will be a great asset to Vermilion County, the State of Illinois and all Illinois residents," said State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Gifford). "We look forward to working with Dynegy during this land transition and are thankful for this property linking our Vermilion County parks and wildlife areas."

"The State of Illinois applauds Dynegy for its efforts at providing reliable, environmentally friendly power for our residents and taking steps that will safeguard for posterity some of Illinois' most important natural assets," said State Representative William B. Black (R-Danville).

Dynegy Inc. produces and sells electric energy, capacity and ancillary services in key U.S. markets. The company's power generation portfolio consists of nearly 20,000 megawatts of baseload, intermediate and peaking power plants fueled by a mix of coal, fuel oil and natural gas.

Certain statements included in this news release are intended as "forward-looking statements." These statements include assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events, particularly the statements concerning Dynegy's future investments in other environmental projects, including air emissions control, the anticipated future use of the property, Dynegy's development of other environmental initiatives in Illinois, including the expected benefits of such initiatives, and Dynegy's commitment to protecting ecosystems. Dynegy cautions that actual future results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied include: Dynegy's future financial condition and ability to make investments in other environmental projects and initiatives in Illinois; specific emissions controls and limitations imposed by future IDNR environmental regulations, including any changes to the preservation and public benefits of the property. More information about the risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements are found in Dynegy's SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which is available free of charge on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. All of Dynegy's forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements that may accompany such forward-looking statements. In addition, Dynegy expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release, except as otherwise required by applicable law. DYNC

Source: Business Wire

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