UNICOM/PECO MERGER APPROVED AT ANNUAL MEETING
Merger Will Create One of Nation's Largest Utilities
CHICAGO--Shareholders of Unicom Corporation today voted to
approve the merger of Unicom Corporation with Philadelphia-based
PECO Energy Company.
Pending regulatory approvals, the merger will create one of
the largest utilities in the country with approximately five
million customers, annual revenues in excess of $12 billion, and
combined assets of approximately $36 billion.
Shareholders representing 77.5 percent of Unicom's 176.5
million shares outstanding, voted in favor of the merger at the
annual meeting of Unicom Corporation held today. Approximately
95 percent of shareholders casting votes were in favor of the
merger.
Shareholders of PECO Energy approved the merger yesterday
with 97 percent casting votes in favor of the merger.
The companies still must secure approval from the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission
before closing the merger. The completion of the merger is
expected to occur during the second half of 2000.
"We are pleased that our shareholders share our vision of
creating the most recognized and admired utility services company
in the world," said Unicom Chairman, President and CEO John W.
Rowe. "The completion of this merger will establish the base from
which we will build a leading energy delivery business and
establish ourselves as a significant competitor in the emerging
retail energy marketplace."
The new holding company, Exelon Corporation, will be:
- One of the nation's largest electric utilities, with a
customer base of approximately five million.
- The largest nuclear operator in the United States, with
approximately 16,500 megawatts of nuclear capacity.
- The third largest commercial nuclear fleet in the world.
- A top-tier power generator, with an energy portfolio that
nearly doubles that of either Unicom or PECO Energy alone.
- A leader in the growing power marketing business.
Company officials expect Exelon to achieve annual cost
savings of approximately $100 million in the first year after the
merger, growing to approximately $180 million by the third year.
Based on these savings alone, the merger will be accretive in the
first year after closing.
The merger is expected to deliver 10 percent average annual
growth in earnings per share, an immediate increase in earnings,
and an annual dividend of $1.69 per share, according to
officials.
Exelon's corporate headquarters will be based in Chicago,
with generation and power marketing headquarters in the
Philadelphia region. ComEd and PECO Energy distribution
operations will continue to maintain their headquarters in
Chicago and Philadelphia, respectively.
Corbin McNeill, Chairman, President and CEO of PECO Energy,
and Rowe will serve as co-chief executive officers of the new
holding company for a transition period lasting until December
31, 2003.
