WGII Washington Grp. International (MM)

BOISE, Idaho and LONDONDERRY TWP., Pa., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Washington Group International (NASDAQ:WGII) and AREVA NP Inc. announced today that their SGT LLC joint venture has been selected to provide engineering and construction services for the steam generator replacement at Exelon Corporation's Three Mile Island Generating Station in Londonderry Township, Pa. Engineering studies are under way at the site. Replacement components will be supplied by AREVA NP and installed during a scheduled plant outage in the fall of 2009. Steam generators are used in pressurized water reactor nuclear plants to transfer heat from water heated under pressure inside the reactor to a second closed-water system that turns the heat to steam to drive the turbine generator to make electricity. Steam generators are replaced on a scheduled basis as part of a nuclear plant's long-term maintenance program. SGT's work scope includes heavy haul of the massive, 70-feet long, 530-ton steam generators at the plant site, creation of a temporary opening in the reactor containment building, and closure of the opening once the retired equipment is removed and the replacement components are installed. SGT LLC currently is one of only two companies providing such services in the United States. "Successful steam generator replacements require years of meticulous planning and incredibly detailed scheduling, and SGT is a proven leader in safely executing these complex, highly technical jobs," said Lou Pardi, president of Washington Group's Power Business Unit, based in Princeton, N.J. "Washington Group, either independently or through SGT, has completed the successful replacement of the steam generators at more than a dozen nuclear units, and we have replacement projects at four units under way. This long-term project allows Washington Group to employ the expertise gained in our work at nuclear facilities to assist Exelon in this comprehensive project." As the leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a key player in the electricity transmission and distribution sector, AREVA's 5,000 American energy employees are committed to serve the nation and pave the way for the future of the electricity market. With 40 locations across the nation and nearly $2 billion in energy revenues in 2005, AREVA, through its subsidiaries, combines homegrown leadership, access to worldwide expertise and a proven track record of performance. In the United States and in over 100 countries around the world, AREVA is engaged in the 21st century's greatest challenges: making energy available to all, protecting the planet, and acting responsibly towards future generations. AREVA Inc. is headquartered in Bethesda, Md. Washington Group International (NASDAQ:WGII) provides the talent, innovation, and proven performance to deliver integrated engineering, construction and management solutions for businesses and governments worldwide. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with more than $3 billion in annual revenue, the company has approximately 24,000 people at work around the world providing solutions in power, environmental management, defense, oil and gas processing, mining, industrial facilities, transportation and water resources. For more information, visit http://www.wgint.com/. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, could, should, expect, anticipate, intend, plan, estimate, or continue or the negative thereof or other variations thereof. Each forward-looking statement, including, without limitation, any financial guidance, speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Washington Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. The forward-looking statements are necessarily based on assumptions and estimates of management and are inherently subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially as a result of changes or developments in social, economic, business, market, legal, and regulatory circumstances or conditions, both domestically and globally, as well as due to actions by customers, clients, suppliers, business partners, or government bodies. Performance is subject to numerous factors, including demand for new power generation and for modification of existing power facilities, public sector funding, demand for extractive resources, capital spending plans of customers, and spending levels and priorities of the U.S., state and other governments. Results may also vary as a result of difficulties or delays experienced in the execution of contracts or implementation of strategic initiatives. For additional risks and uncertainties impacting the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, please see "Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Washington Group's annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2005. DATASOURCE: Washington Group International CONTACT: Media, Jerry Holloway or Laurie Spiegelberg, +1-208-386-5255, or Investors, Earl Ward, +1-208-386-5698, all of Washington Group International Web site: http://www.wgint.com/

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