Laclede Gas

ST. Louis, MO, June 7, 2004 – Laclede Gas Company has been chosen as the recipient of the National Fuel Fund Network’s (NFFN) Corporate Excellence Award for 2004. The award, which is given out each year during the organization’s annual conference of members, recognizes a company that has provided longstanding support to low-income residents in its service area.

Laclede Gas, a subsidiary of The Laclede Group (NYSE: LG), supports the non-profit organization, Dollar-Help, a program that has provided energy-assistance to those in greatest need in Eastern Missouri for more than 20 years.

“Beginning over 20 years ago with their initial partnership with Dollar-Help, Laclede Gas Company has helped ease the energy burden of thousands of low-income customers in Eastern Missouri”, said Carol Clements, Chair of the NFFN Board of Directors. “Their robust fuel fund program has a national reputation as a successful partnership of a fuel fund and an energy provider, with a focus on giving the maximum benefit to those who need it most.”

Dollar-Help was started by the late Sister Pat Kelley of St. Louis, who was also a founding member of the National Fuel Funds Network. Sister Kelley’s ideas for a cooperative effort by agencies providing energy assistance to low income households has resulted in the formation of an organization that now has nearly 300 members nationwide. Her work and vision will be celebrated during the conference.

On the 20th anniversary of NFFN’s founding, the national organization is returning to its roots in St. Louis for a conference on June 6 and 7 at the Hyatt Regency to commemorate its work to help low-income families meet their energy needs. The conference, entitled “Building Bridges: Gateway to Energy Solutions and Partnerships”, will feature two days of workshops, presentations, and roundtable discussions. At 4 p.m. on June 7, Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Stephen Mahfood, Missouri Public Service Commission Chairperson Steve Gaw and Missouri Department of Social Services Family Support Division Director Denise Cross, will discuss how Missouri copes with the home energy crisis.

The Corporate Excellence Award will be presented to Laclede at the NFFN Awards Gala at 7pm on June 7. An “Extra-Mile” Legislative Award will also be given that evening to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who will address the attendees in a pre-recorded message.