Deer Valley School Buses Pass Four Million Mile Mark On Southern States Power Biodiesel Fuel; Other School Districts Look To Follow Dear Valley's Lead

    ONTARIO, Calif.--April 4, 2001--Southern States Power Company, Inc. (OTCBB:SSPC) announced Wednesday that Arizona's Deer Valley Unified School District buses have driven over four million miles using the company's biodiesel fuel. With mounting evidence that harmful emissions from conventional diesel engines pose a significant health risk to America's children, numerous school districts have begun a push to replace polluting diesel fuel with cleaner alternatives. Southern States Power's proven track record providing biofuel for school bus fleets makes the company an ideal candidate to fulfill the growing demand for alternative fuel.
    Southern States' biodiesel program for school districts reduces the risk of conventional biodiesel emissions without the higher cost of other alternative fuel sources such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) or propane. In addition to Deer Valley, the largest school district in Arizona, several districts in California, including the mammoth Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), are considering alternatives to polluting petrodiesel buses. On March 27, 2001, the LAUSD voted unanimously to phase out their diesel bus fleets citing recent findings highlighting the health risks of diesel engines, which are magnified in the developing lungs of young children.
    Paul Cochran, President of the School Bus Fleet Managers of Arizona and a fleet maintenance supervisor, recently stated, "We were careful to select a fuel with a proven track record and with definite health and environmental benefits. We have had a wonderful experience with the fuel, and I would recommend it highly to anyone thinking about cleaning up their school buses for the safety of our children."
    A recently released study by the National Resources Defense Council and the Coalition for Clean Air asserted that students who ride in diesel buses may be exposed to up to four times more toxic diesel emissions than if they were traveling by car. While the study recommended that school bus fleets switch to alternative fuels, biodiesel's ability to run in standard diesel engines with no expensive and time-consuming conversion expenses, makes it idea for cost-conscious school districts.
    Southern States Power is currently one of the featured companies on UPTIC.com via streaming audio, and a full corporate profile can be accessed at the company's website at www.UPTIC.com. UPTIC.com is an investor resource website with the goal of providing investors with current and relevant information on the major markets and to highlight emerging companies with large upside potentials. UPTIC has a partnership with bNet TV, Business Network Television, to provide streaming video and audio content.

    The Company

    The primary focus of Southern States Power Company, Inc. is to develop, produce and distribute alternative fuels, particularly biofuel, for use by consumers and commercial businesses. Southern States Power markets an alternative fuel blend made from soybean oil or recycled grease. Biodiesel is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the only alternative fuel to have passed the rigorous Health Effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. While the demand for alternative fuels is great, there are few producers ready to meet the growing need.
    There are nearly 27 billion gallons of diesel consumed annually in the United States alone, and an additional volume consumed internationally. It is the goal of the United States Department of Energy that 30% of petroleum based motor fuel be replaced by alternative fuels by the year 2010. Federal and state fleets are mandated to use up to 75% domestically produced alternative fuels.
    Industry estimates are that the market for biodiesel fuel will be as high as 50 million gallons a year by 2003, virtually doubling in each subsequent year. Southern States is poised to capture a significant portion of this market through an aggressive marketing plan as well as contacts in government, business and industry. Tightening clean air standards and growing fossil fuel costs are forcing private commercial fleets to look toward alternative fuel products. Major biodiesel initiatives have been passed in Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware and Iowa. More information can be found at the company's website: www.sspowerco.com.

    Safe Harbor

    This news release may contain forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development and market acceptance of products and technologies and other factors described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual results may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risk and uncertainties. The company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.