Berkshire
                              energy resources
               115 Cheshire Road - Pittsfield, MA  01201-1803
                     (413) 442-1511 - Fax (413) 443-0546
                           www.BerkshireEnergy.com

February 4, 2000

                URGENT REMINDER - YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
                ---------------------------------------------

IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY MAILED YOUR PROXY,
PLEASE ACCEPT OUR THANKS AND DISREGARD THIS REQUEST.

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

You have previously received proxy material in connection with the Special
Meeting of Shareholders of  Berkshire Energy Resources to be held on
Tuesday, February 29, 2000. According to our latest records, your PROXY VOTE
for this meeting HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED.

Follow the instructions on the enclosed voting form to cast your ballot.
Remember, your broker cannot vote your shares until you instruct him or her
to do so.

      Since time remaining is short, we urge you to please vote using one of
the following methods:

*     Using a touch-tone telephone, call the toll free number located in the
      gray shaded box on the upper left side of your Voting Instruction
      Form.  Using your 12-digit control number located in the gray shaded
      box on the right side of your Voting Instruction Form, cast your
      ballot.

*     Vote over the internet at www.proxyvote.com using the 12-digit control
      number located on the Voting Instruction Form to cast your ballot
      immediately.

*     Sign the proxy and mail it back in the enclosed postage-paid envelope
      prior to the meeting date.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,


Scott S. Robinson
President and CEO



The name "Berkshire Energy Resources" means the trustees for the time being
(as trustees but not individually) under a Declaration of Trust dated
2/17/98, as amended, which is hereby referred to, and a copy of which has
been filed with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Any
agreement, obligation or liability made, entered into or incurred by or on
behalf of said Berkshire Energy Resources binds only the trust estate, and
no shareholder, director, trustee, officer or agent assumes, or shall be
held to, any liability by reason thereof.