Washington Group International Selected to Build Midwest Ethanol Plants

BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 9, 2007 -- Washington Group International announced today it has been awarded cost-reimbursable contracts by E85 Inc. to build E85's first three ethanol production plants in the Midwest. The contracts together are valued at approximately $150 million.

Washington Group will provide procurement, construction, commissioning, and start-up services for the facilities in Wahoo, Neb., and Red Oak and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Each of the facilities will be capable of producing 110 million gallons of ethanol per year. The corn-based ethanol will be blended with unleaded gasoline to create motor fuel, and the plant will produce commercially viable products in corn gluten feed and meal, corn germ, and wet and dry distiller grains with solubles.

Work on the Wahoo plant started in late September; work on the other two plants is planned to begin during the fourth quarter of 2007. A peak construction force of more than 300 is expected at each site. E85 will invest over $750 million in the three facilities.

"We're pleased to be a part of E85's plans to become a leading supplier of fuel-grade ethanol and to contribute to projects that will provide consumers with more energy alternatives," said Gary C. Baughman, president of Washington Group's Industrial/Process Business Unit, based in Houston.

"E85 sought a contractor capable of managing and delivering multiple projects on an aggressive schedule in today's challenging market, and Washington Group has demonstrated that they are committed to meeting our project goals," said James T. Callahan, president of E85 Inc.

About the Companies

E85 Inc. was founded with a mission of providing a bio-fuel energy alternative to gasoline that will improve automobile performance by boosting octane, reducing environmental pollutants by cleaner burning, and reducing dependence on foreign oil. In addition to bio-fuel ethanol production and distribution, E85 will produce and market corn gluten feed and meal, corn germ, wet and dry distiller grains with solubles, and food-grade carbon dioxide. For more information, visit http://www.e85.com/.

Washington Group International provides the talent, innovation, and proven performance to deliver integrated engineering, construction, and management solutions for businesses and governments worldwide. With approximately $4 billion in annual revenue, the company has approximately 25,000 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/.