August 2, 1999

DUKESOLUTIONS LAUNCHES FIRST ENERGY E-COMMERCE OPERATIONS AND PRODUCTS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- DukeSolutions, Inc., a Duke Energy subsidiary specializing in integrated energy services for large end-use customers, announced a first of its kind, active, Internet-based real-time control, delivery, monitoring and metering system through an alliance agreement signed this month with Milwaukee-based Engage Networks, Inc. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Through the alliance, DukeSolutions and Engage are the first to successfully integrate a comprehensive Web-based energy platform with existing back office, logistical, control and information systems to result in lower delivery costs, reduced transaction risk, greater control flexibility and a host of new products and services for large industrial, commercial, governmental and institutional customers.

"This alliance puts DukeSolutions at the forefront of e-commerce within energy services and positions us to serve customers with world-class information management," says Charles Watkins, president of DukeSolutions. "We are now able to offer our customers the unparalleled combination of DukeSolutions full-scope energy services and Engage's innovative but proven Web-based information technology. This advance in information services will be especially powerful in our growing commodity supply business."

Founded in 1995, Engage has become an industry leader with a variety of Internet-based products that are faster, more flexible, and more easily expandable than traditional proprietary systems. Engage has an installed base of Web-based hardware and software in more than 100 customer sites with complex operating environments.

Engage is best known for its ability to integrate geographically diverse locations on any type of hardware into one seamless, user-friendly Web interface.

"We're proud to launch this important alliance with DukeSolutions, the country's premier energy services firm and a true market maker," says Dan Collins, chief executive officer of Engage. "The industrial customers we currently serve will be able to pursue tremendous added value through the comprehensive energy supply, risk management, efficiency, on-site utilities and financial products that DukeSolutions provides. In addition, the Duke Energy name, reputation and experience will allow us to accelerate our growth in new markets and our continued product development."

Under the DukeSolutions EnfoTrakSM brand name, the two companies will deliver products that combine existing DukeSolutions services and products with Engage products including Web-enabled connectivity hardware and software, host application interfaces, industrial gateways/bridges, custom applications and design-startup for engineered networks. The two firms have begun work on a number of proprietary developments which will combine DukeSolutions control expertise, energy engineering and retail delivery systems with Engage's delivery and development technology.

EnfoTrakSM from DukeSolutions is an energy information system that helps customers monitor energy purchases, usage and billing. Energy usage data and analysis position customers to maximize commodity supply opportunities before and after deregulation, aggregate multiple facilities to obtain the best pricing, and monitor costs across business units or product lines. In previous versions of EnfoTrakSM customers could access data within 24 hours to make energy management and supply decisions. With the application of Engage technology, customers can make true, real-time decisions to optimize pricing options and take further advantage of the increasingly volatile energy market.

DukeSolutions is one of the fastest growing energy services companies in North America, with offices in 25 cities. The company helps customers make the most of their assets and increase cash flow and earnings through integrated energy solutions. Serving industrial, commercial, institutional and governmental customers, DukeSolutions implements a full range of energy services including energy supply and logistics, reliability and risk management, on-site utility, information management and efficiency and productivity services. DukeSolutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Duke Energy.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) is a global energy company with more than $26 billion in assets. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., the company reaches into more than 50 countries, producing energy, transporting energy, marketing energy and providing energy services. In the United States, Duke Energy companies provide electric service to approximately two million customers in North Carolina and South Carolina; operate interstate pipelines that deliver natural gas to various regions of the country; and are leading marketers of electricity, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Additional information about the company is available on the Internet at: http://www.duke-energy.com.

CONTACT: Danny Gibbs

Phone: 704/373-6680 24-Hour: 704/382-8333

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