COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 12, 2002 -- Tens of thousands of residents in four Ohio communities now can choose cleaner electricity under a new agreement with Green Mountain Energy Co.

Under the terms of a four-year agreement with AMPO, Inc., electricity customers in the cities of Alliance, Sandusky, London and the village of Lagrange can choose their electricity provider.

Under Ohio's utility law, communities can increase their bargaining strength by joining together to form larger groups or aggregations. The law is designed to give consumers a choice of their electricity supplier. The four communities are part of a utility aggregation created by AMPO, Inc.

"We congratulate the community leaders who have made it possible for their citizens to choose their individual electricity supplier," said Paul Markovich, president of Green Mountain Energy Company's Midwest region. "Consumer choice is the main focus of Ohio's utility law."

Beginning today, a letter from each city will be sent to eligible area residents notifying them of the choice opportunity. They will have 21 days to decide whether they want to purchase Green Mountain Energy^SM electricity or "opt out" and continue buying power from their current supplier. If individuals choose Green Mountain Energy Company, they don't have to do anything. However, if they want to "opt out", they must return a postcard before the deadline noted on the mailer.

Customers who choose Green Mountain Energy^SM electricity will be purchasing electricity that is 70 percent less polluting than what most Ohioans are buying.

About Green Mountain Energy Company:
Green Mountain Energy^SM electricity is a brand of cleaner electricity from Green Mountain Energy Co. (www.greenmountain.com). The company provides less-polluting electricity generated from sources including wind, solar, water, geothermal, biomass and cleaner burning natural gas.
Nearly half a million customers in seven states: Ohio, Oregon, California, Texas, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have chosen Green Mountain Energy^SM electricity.

About AMPO, Inc.:
AMPO, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Municipal Power-Ohio offering municipal aggregation services in both electric and natural gas markets. AMP-Ohio has been assisting public power communities as a wholesale power supplier and services provider since 1971. The organization has 85-member communities in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.