ScottishPower and PacifiCorp announced that they have received the final federal approval needed to complete their merger transaction.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an order on 12 November formally approving the merger. NRC approval is required because PacifiCorp owns a 2.5 percent share in the Trojan Nuclear Plant in Oregon. The plant has not operated for several years, and is in the process of being decommissioned.

Ian Robinson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, said: "This is another important approval in the merger process. With all federal, and four of the six state approvals in place, we are well on track to completing the merger by the end of the year."

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Colin McSeveny
Group Media Relations Manager     041 636 4515

Iain Paterson
Investor Relations Manager             0141 636 4527

Editor's Notes:

1. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent agency established by the U.S. Congress under the Energy Reorganisation Act of 1974 to ensure adequate protection of the public health and safety, the common defence and security, and the environment in the use of nuclear materials in the United States. The scope of responsibility includes regulation of:

• Commercial nuclear power reactors; nonpower research, test, and training reactors
• Fuel cycle facilities; medical, academic, and industrial uses of nuclear materials
• The transport, storage, and disposal of nuclear materials and waste

2. The Trojan Nuclear Plant was operated by Portland General Electric (PGE), which owns a 67.5 percent share of the facility. PacifiCorp owns 2.5 percent, and the remaining 30 percent was assigned by Eugene (Oregon) Water and Electric Board to the Bonneville Power Administration.

PGE announced in August 1992 that it would close Trojan by 1996. By January 1993, however, they decided to permanently cease operations there. Trojan is in the process of being decommissioned. In August, the reactor vessel was removed and shipped to a site near Richland, Washington.