Gas News Release

December 21, 1999

Consolidated Natural Gas Finishes Year 2000 Program Under Budget

PITTSBURGH -- Consolidated Natural Gas Company said today that it has completed its preparations for the year 2000 under budget.

"Not only are our systems critical for the delivery of natural gas updated for the year 2000, but we've done it in a cost-effective manner," said George A. Davidson, Jr., CNG's chairman and chief executive officer. "When CNG started the Y2K project in 1997, we took a conservative approach and wanted to make sure we allocated all the necessary resources, so we budgeted over $20 million. Current estimates are the project will cost $12.5 million."

Davidson said CNG needed to update fewer software programs than expected and tests showed that many of the computer chips in its process control devices were not sensitive to dates.

"Our employees did an outstanding job of systematically examining and testing our computer systems, especially those affecting the delivery of natural gas," Davidson said. "We are looking forward to continuing to provide quality service as we begin the year 2000."

The Year 2000 statements made in this news release are intended to serve as Year 2000 Readiness Disclosures within the meaning of the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act.

CNG's recent news releases are available 24 hours a day on the Internet, by fax machine, or by voice recording. On the Internet, use CNG's Web site: www.cng.com. For faxing, call 1-800-758-5804 on a touch-tone phone and enter CNG's company extension, which is 203456. From a menu, you will then be able to select releases that will be faxed to you immediately without charge. For voice recordings, call 1-888-CNG-NEWS (1-888-264-6397). This line is toll-free.

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For further information contact:
Dan Donovan
412-690-1370