Hampton, NH – September 27, 2000: Responding to rapidly increasing natural gas supply costs, Unitil Corporation (AMEX: UTL) (www.unitil.com) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Unitil/Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company (FG&E) refiled for a gas rate increase with the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Telecommunications (MDTE).

A typical residential heating customer using 146 therms of gas per month will see an increase of $30.07 or 24.5% over last winter’s rates. Similar impacts will be seen for commercial and industrial customers.

"Natural gas supply pricing has escalated rapidly in a very short period of time," said Unitil President Mike Dalton. This filing replaces the September 15, 2000 filing. Based upon information now available, that rate filing would have created a significant difference between the cost of gas provided versus collections from customers. Natural gas supply costs are charged to customers without any mark-up from FG&E.

Unitil/FG&E offers two programs that can help customers moderate the impact of these increases. Customers can schedule a home energy audit from FG&E. This one-stop service provides a complete review of the home’s energy usage, and recommends specific ways to improve the efficiency of the home. Also, FG&E customers can sign up for the Equal Payment Plan, which spreads out the bills evenly throughout the year. To enroll for either program, FG&E customers should call 1-888-301-7700.

Unitil is a public utility holding company with subsidiaries providing electric service in New Hampshire and electric and gas service in Massachusetts and energy services throughout the Northeast. Its subsidiaries include Concord Electric Company, Exeter & Hampton Electric Company, Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company, Unitil Power Corp., Unitil Realty Corp., Unitil Service Corp. and its unregulated business unit Unitil Resources, Inc. Usource L.L.C. is a subsidiary of Unitil Resources, Inc. The Usource product line is available at www.usourceonline.com

For more information, visit Unitil at www.unitil.com or call Stephanye Schuyler at 603-773-6465.

Contact
Stephanye Schuyler
schuyler@unitil.com