ATCO Deploys 200-Person Work Camp to Slave Lake

Temporary facility will be used in the restoration of critical services to the town and surrounding area


CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 25, 2011) -

Editor's Note: There are 2 photos associated with this press release.

ATCO Electric and ATCO Gas (TSX:ACO.X) (TSX:ACO.Y) today announced that they have mobilized a 200-person temporary housing facility to Slave Lake to be used to accommodate ATCO workers deployed to restore power and gas service to areas ravaged by wildfires. The camp also includes a self sustaining kitchen facility.

"There is an immediate need to provide lodging and food to ATCO workers, many of whom have been personally affected by the fires and have been working tirelessly to restore critical electric and gas utility infrastructure to Slave Lake and surrounding area," said Siegfried Kiefer, Managing Director, Utilities, ATCO Group.

Wildfires in northern Alberta caused extensive damage to the Town of Slave Lake and surrounding communities and impacted power service to the critical oilfield area throughout much of northeastern Alberta. ATCO Electric and ATCO Gas have close to 100 workers requiring immediate accommodation in the community and this number will expand as authorization is received to restore power services to additional areas.

"We have an incredibly dedicated and caring workforce and it is essential that we get adequate accommodations into the area as quickly as possible," said Mr. Kiefer. "ATCO is fortunate to have experience in emergency support and rapid deployment."

Modular units belonging to ATCO Structures & Logistics began arriving in the Slave Lake area on Thursday and continued to be trucked in over the long weekend. The facility should be fully operational by the end of this week. It will accommodate workers from ATCO Electric and ATCO Gas - companies that have served the community for decades.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Slave Lake," said Mr. Kiefer. "Residents should be assured that we are working in conjunction with Alberta's Emergency Management Agency to restore electricity and gas services as safely and quickly as possible so people can get back to their homes and businesses."

Damage to ATCO Gas's infrastructure is extensive but confined to the Town of Slave Lake. Damage to the electrical infrastructure in the region is more widespread, creating an urgent need for workers to rebuild and repair. Assessments of damaged power lines throughout the region begins as soon as ATCO Electric obtains safe access to an area.

ATCO Group, with more than 7,700 employees and assets of approximately $10 billion, delivers service excellence and innovative business solutions worldwide with leading companies engaged in Utilities (pipelines, natural gas and electricity transmission and distribution), Energy (power generation, natural gas gathering, processing, storage and liquids extraction), Structures & Logistics (manufacturing, logistics and noise abatement) and Technologies (business systems solutions). More information can be found at www.atco.com.

Forward-Looking Information:

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To view the photos associated with this press release, please see the following links:

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Contact Information:

ATCO Group
Siegfried Kiefer
Managing Director, Utilities
(403) 620-7323
www.atco.com

Work is under way at the ATCO camp in Slave Lake, Alberta to accommodate ATCO workers who are restoring natural gas and electrical services to the area. Work is under way at the ATCO camp in Slave Lake, Alberta to accommodate ATCO workers who are restoring natural gas and electrical services to the area.