AMARILLO, Texas, Oct. 17, 2000 (PRNewswire via COMTEX) — Utility Engineering Corporation, an Amarillo-based full-service engineering firm with major offices in Denver and Minneapolis, has acquired Proto-Power Corporation, an engineering services and consulting firm at Groton, Conn.

The acquisition moves Utility Engineering into the ranks of the top dozen power engineering companies in the U.S., said Gary S. Fuqua, UE president and CEO.

"This facilitates UE's expansion into the strategic Northeast market. The move will combine our strength in fossil generation with Proto-Power's strong presence in the field of nuclear generation services and control systems," Fuqua said. "Proto-Power has a market presence in software or consulting services in more than 70 percent of all nuclear power plants in the country. This will add resources and depth to both companies, allowing for stronger support of our customers nationally and internationally."

Proto-Power will be a wholly owned subsidiary of UE. It employs approximately 150 people at Groton and at a regional office in Naperville, Ill. It will continue to operate as Proto-Power and to be led by president and COO Ken Ewell, who will report to Fuqua.

UE's primary business is power plant design and construction. The firm's 650 employees have extensive experience working with construction companies, large power-equipment manufacturers and independent power producers. The 15-year-old company's client list includes NRG, Calpine, Tenaska, Coastal, Pinnacle West, Newport Generation, Dynegy and Black Hills.

More information on the companies can be found at: www.ueplaza.com and www.protopower.com.

SOURCE Utility Engineering Corporation

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