1 EXHIBIT (99)(b) NEWS RELEASE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release For More Information, Contact: December 2, 1999 Kevin Korpi, (517) 371-7673 Chuck Hadden, (517) 487-8550 MOMENTUM BUILDING FOR ELECTRIC RESTRUCTURING LEGISLATION IN MICHIGAN, REPORT MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MICHIGAN MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION JOB PROVIDERS STEP FORWARD TO URGE LEGISLATIVE ACTION (LANSING, MICHIGAN) -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Manufacturers Association, a large diverse customer coalition (Citizens for Power & Reliability), and the industrial group ABATE, strongly support introduction and subsequent legislative approval on proposed electric restructuring legislation. The group compliments the leadership of Senator Mat Dunaskiss, who recently released draft legislation that provides an excellent framework for electric competition. This legislative framework will benefit all of Michigan's citizens with better service and more choices at lower cost. "The new comprehensive proposal presented by Senator Dunaskiss provides a truly historic opportunity to resolve the debate and move Michigan forward to a new competitive era," said Jim Barrett, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. "This proposed legislation supports the recent findings of an EPIC-MRA poll on Michigan that overwhelmingly shows residents and businesses want legislation to allow customers to choose their electric supplier." In response to Senator Dunaskiss' call for comments on draft legislation, more than 30 Michigan employers, small and large businesses, manufacturers, trade organizations and utilities have indicated their support for legislative action. "This proposal offers an opportunity to enact a comprehensive, balanced and beneficial approach to implement competition and improve Michigan's economic competitiveness," said John G. Thodis, President and CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association. 2 To date, 23 other states have taken steps to bring competition, along with customer choice and enhanced reliability, to the electric marketplace. "There is tremendous support in the business community for moving forward," said Brent Stevenson, Regional Manager-Government Relations, Georgia Pacific and co-chair of the Citizens for Power & Reliability. "We are pleased with the growing interest on the part of the Michigan Legislature to address this important issue in a constructive and comprehensive manner." The growing list of Michigan employers and trade organizations who support the introduction of electric restructuring legislation includes: ABATE Mead American Electric Power Michigan Chamber of Commerce* Amway Michigan Electric Cooperative Assoc. Associated Petroleum Industries of Michigan Michigan Electric & Gas Association Champion International Corporation Michigan Grocers Association Cleveland Cliffs, Inc. Michigan Independent Power Producers Consumers Energy Michigan Manufacturers Association** DaimlerChrysler Michigan Restaurant Association Dow Chemical Michigan Retailers Association Dow Corning National Steel First Power LLC Nordic Electric Ford Motor Company North Star Steel/Cargill General Motors Corporation Packaging Corporation of America Georgia Pacific Perrigo Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce PG& E Corporation Guardian Primary Power Lear Corporation Saginaw Chamber of Commerce Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC Spartan Stores *The Michigan Chamber of Commerce represents approximately 7,000 businesses, local chambers of commerce, and trade associations. With members of every size and type in all 83 Michigan counties, the Michigan Chamber represents a broad-cross section of the state's economy. **The Michigan Manufacturers Association represents 4,000 businesses and corporations throughout the state, which collectively employ 90 percent of Michigan's workforce.