EDITORS: Please do not use "Pacific Gas and Electric" or "PG&E" when referring to PG&E Corporation or its National Energy Group. The PG&E National Energy Group is not the same company as Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the utility, and is not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. Customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company do not have to buy products or services from the National Energy Group in order to continue to receive quality regulated services from Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

JOHN BARPOULIS NAMED VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND TREASURY OF PG&E NATIONAL ENERGY GROUP; NEW POSITION TO LEAD MOVE INTO INVESTMENT MARKET

Bethesda, Md. - PG&E Corporation's (NYSE: PCG) National Energy Group today announced the appointment of John Barpoulis, 36, to the newly created position of National Energy Group Vice President, Finance and Treasury, reporting to the company's Chief Financial Officer.

"John's proven expertise in project financings, restructuring, acquisitions, and corporate transactions have been an invaluable asset to the National Energy Group," said John Cooper, National Energy Group Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "The Company created this position to enable us to fully leverage his experience and abilities, adding a significant new dimension to our financial management and planning organization," he said.

Barpoulis joined the finance group of PG&E Generating Company, one of the National Energy Group's predecessor entities.

Barpoulis holds a bachelor of arts degree in physics from Vassar College, a bachelor of engineering degree in mechanical engineering from Dartmouth College, and a master of business administration degree from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

PG&E Corporation with 1999 revenues of nearly $21 billion and operations in 21 states, markets energy services and products throughout North America through its National Energy Group. The Corporation has ownership and management interests in more than 30 power plants and has one of the largest energy trading and risk management programs in North America.