NEWS RELEASE

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
May 16, 2003

Lee M. Baatz Assistant. V.P. – Rates
906-632-5170

Edison Sault and Cloverland Issue Power Supply Alert

The flooding in Marquette, Michigan caused the Presque Isle Power Plant to shut down. This plant normally supplies a substantial amount of the electric power that is consumed in the Upper Peninsula. With the plant not being available, transmission lines are being stretched to their limits, causing the Midwest Independent System Operator, to declare a State of Emergency. The areas most directly affected are in and around the City of Marquette, but the situation could impact the entire Upper Peninsula. Edison Sault Electric Company and Cloverland Electric Cooperative request their customers to conserve their use of electricity and to be prepared for future announcements regarding the use of electricity.

The flooding in Marquette caused mud and debris to flow into the circulatory systems at Presque Isle, forcing the shutdown of all nine generating units at the plant. Flooding also caused motors and coal handling equipment at the plant to be impacted. The cleaning out of the circulatory system and the drying out of equipment could take several weeks. The return of any of the units at Presque Isle is indefinite at this time.

All the utilities in the Upper Peninsula have been requested to maximize their generation from hydroelectric and diesel generating units to supply power and support voltage for the region. Because of the indefinite status of Presque Isle, conditions could worsen if outages affect other equipment or if weather causes electric usage to increase.

Elements within the US Army Corps of Engineers - Detroit District - acting as advisors to The International Lake Superior Board of Control which has the responsibility of authorizing the release of water from Lake Superior has authorized Edison Sault to run its Hydro Plant at full power through at least the early part of next week. This action will help support the eastern end of the Upper Peninsula electric system by decreasing reliance on power coming from the central part of the Upper Peninsula.

The Power Supply Alert is ongoing and Edison Sault and Cloverland will advise news media as to any changes in the status of the alert. Customers are asked to note follow up information on this issue Monday morning.

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Last modified: May 16, 2003