FortisAlberta announces settlement of EPCOR Litigation

CALGARY, Aug. 8 /CNW/ - (TSX:FTS) - FortisAlberta today announced that it
has reached an agreement with EPCOR Energy Services (EPCOR) to settle all
aspects of a Statement of Claim filed on August 18, 2003 in the Court of
Queen's Bench of Alberta.
"We are pleased to have resolved this issue. Through this process we have
worked very closely with EPCOR and have strengthened the working relationships
between the two companies. We consider this a new beginning in the
relationship between us," said Philip Hughes, FortisAlberta's President and
CEO.
"FortisAlberta will continue to focus on improving operations, enhancing
customer service and satisfying customer growth requirements," adds Philip
Hughes.
"Resolution of this dispute removes one of the last outstanding issues
related to the acquisition of FortisAlberta," says Stan Marshall, President
and Chief Executive Officer, Fortis Inc.
The Corporation has adequate provisions in its financial statements for
the final settlement related to the delivery of electrical load from prior
periods including this agreement with EPCOR. Terms of the Comprehensive
Settlement are confidential.

FortisAlberta is an electric distribution company with approximately
407,000 customers. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc. - a
diversified, international electric utility holding company with assets of
approximately $4 billion and annual revenues of approximately $1.2 billion.
The Common Shares, Series C First Preference Shares and Series E First
Preference Shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols
FTS, FTS.PR.C and FTS.PR.E, respectively. Fortis Inc. information can be
accessed at www.fortisinc.com.

FortisAlberta may include forward-looking statements in this release. By
their very nature, forward-looking statements are based on underlying
assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding
future expectations generally. Such events include, but are not limited to,
general economic, market and business conditions, regulatory developments,
weather and competition. FortisAlberta cautions readers that should certain
events or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. For
additional information with respect to certain of these risks or factors,
reference should be made to FortisAlberta's continuous disclosure materials
filed from time to time with Canadian Securities Regulatory Authorities.
FortisAlberta disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.

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