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Bridgestone/Firestone Signs 10-Year Electric Service Agreement With SCE&G

18 September 1997

Bridgestone/Firestone Signs 10-Year Electric Service Agreement With SCE&G

    COLUMBIA, S.C., Sept. 18 -- South Carolina Electric & Gas
Company (SCE&G), the principal subsidiary of SCANA Corporation ,
announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. to supply the Nashville-based tire manufacturer
with electric service for 10 years at that company's new $435 million
manufacturing plant being built in Aiken County.
    "We are extremely proud to be selected by Bridgestone/Firestone as its
electric supplier of choice," said Jack Skolds, SCE&G president and chief
operating officer.  "This new facility will not only bring us a new industrial
electric load, but we expect secondary business and residential service growth
over time."
    The agreement calls for SCE&G to supply the new Bridgestone/Firestone
plant with 17 megawatts of electricity to power a facility that will cover 1.5
million square feet and produce up to 25,000 radial tires for passenger
vehicles and light trucks per day by the end of the year 2000.
    "When we were considering possible locations for this new plant, one of
the key considerations was electricity prices and service," said Roger Mohler,
project manager of Bridgestone/Firestone South Carolina.  "But beyond good
value, SCE&G offers us a partner in the community that will be there to grow
with our future service needs."
    SCANA/SCE&G worked in partnership with the Economic Development
Partnership in Aiken County and the South Carolina Commerce Department in
recruiting and developing incentives for the Bridgestone/Firestone plant.  As
part of that effort, Skolds said, SCANA expects to announce plans soon to
offer community development grants in Aiken County to assist in infrastructure
developments needed for the new plant.
    "The future is bright for Aiken County and SCE&G stands ready to support
the region's continued growth with infrastructure grants and other incentives
to attract more businesses and jobs," Skolds said.
    SCANA Corporation, based in Columbia, SC, is primarily engaged in the
electricity, natural gas and telecommunications businesses.

SOURCE  SCANA Corporation