NYSEG Stresses Customer and Contractor Safety During Post-Flood Reconstruction; Call Dig Safely.New York Prior to Work

Binghamton and Oneonta, NY, July 19, 2006 – As customers continue to repair and rebuild their homes and businesses in the aftermath of severe flooding, NYSEG urges customers and contractors to exercise extreme caution around underground electric and natural gas lines and overhead electric lines.

Before beginning any projects that involve excavation, the excavator must call Dig Safely.New York at 1.800.962.7962 at least two days and no more than ten days before work begins. A site visit will be arranged so that underground utilities can be marked. It is critically important that these facilities are avoided during project work to protect customers, contractors, and utility infrastructure. State law requires that excavators call Dig Safely.New York.

When using ladders and large equipment, customers and contractors should also be aware of overhead electric lines. To avoid contact, consider all lines energized, allow plenty of clearance (keep all equipment, loads and workers at least 10 feet away from all overhead lines), ground all equipment working near overhead electric lines, and follow all appropriate state and federal rules and standards.

For customers needing natural gas service restored, NYSEG reminds customers and contractors to call NYSEG at 1.800.572.1131. At least one natural gas appliance must be ready to light, and for safety reasons, the customer will need to have a plumbing or heating contractor make sure that any natural gas appliances affected by the flood are in working order. Under no circumstances should anyone other than a NYSEG employee attempt to turn on natural gas service as NYSEG crews must check the condition of NYSEG equipment.

“Safety is of paramount importance to NYSEG,” said Jim Laurito, NYSEG’s president and CEO. “We appreciate the cooperation of our customers and their contractors as we work to rebuild our communities.”

About NYSEG: NYSEG is a Rochester-based subsidiary of Energy East Corporation [NYSE:EAS], a super-regional energy services and delivery company in the Northeast. We serve 860,000 electricity customers and 254,000 natural gas customers across more than 40% of upstate New York. By providing outstanding customer service, promoting competition and focusing on growth, we will continue to be a valuable asset to the communities we serve. For more information about NYSEG, visit nyseg.com.