Avista Energy Operating Assets to Be Acquired by Coral Energy
SPOKANE, Wash., April 17: Avista Corp. (NYSE:AVA) today announced that Avista Energy, Inc., a subsidiary of Avista Corp., has signed a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of its contracts and ongoing operations to Coral Energy Holding, L.P. and certain of its subsidiaries (Coral Energy), a subsidiary of Shell. The transaction is expected to close by late second quarter or early third quarter 2007, following the completion of certain contractual requirements, the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other closing conditions.
The agreement also includes the sale of the operating assets of Avista Energy Canada, Ltd, which will be acquired by Coral Energy Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Coral Energy.
"This transaction is the culmination of some very deliberate and strategic planning for Avista Energy and Avista Corp.," said Gary Ely, Avista Corp. chairman of the board and chief executive officer. "We had three specific goals in mind -- to make sure Avista Energy customers continue to receive the same high level of service they have come to expect, to ensure that our valued employees are treated fairly, and to realize a fair value for the business. The deal we've constructed with Coral meets those goals, and we're pleased with this outcome."
Avista Energy will receive cash for the assets acquired by Coral at approximately the book value of the assets at closing. In addition, Avista Energy will liquidate other assets not sold or transferred to Coral, including receivables, restricted cash and deposits with counterparties. Over time the majority of the proceeds from these transactions are expected to be reinvested in Avista's utility business.
Plans call for Avista Energy offices in Spokane, Wash.; Great Falls, Mont.; and Vancouver, British Columbia, to remain in their current locations, with most of the employees being offered employment by Coral.
"Integrating our talented employees into a similar culture within Coral will benefit our existing customers and our employees. Combined with the financial resources of Coral, this is a transaction that is well aligned in terms of operations and strategy," said Ely.
Avista Corp is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is a company operating division that provides service to 345,000 electric and 304,000 natural gas customers in three western states. Avista's non-regulated subsidiaries include Advantage IQ and Avista Energy. Avista Corp.'s stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com.
Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.
Source: Avista Corp.
CONTACT: media, Jessie Wuerst, +1-509-495-8578, jessie.wuerst@avistacorp.com, investors, Jason Lang, +1-509-495-2930, jason.lang@avistacorp.com, Avista 24/7 Media Access, +1-509-495-4174, Avista
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