PROVIDENCE ENERGY CORP
8-K, 1997-01-29
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, DC  20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                    Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report: January 29, 1997



                         Providence Energy Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Rhode Island                       0-9380                  05-0389170
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State of incorporation          (Commission              (IRS Employer
or organization)                 File Number)             Identification No.)
 

100 Weybosset Street, Providence, Rhode Island                     02903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number:         (401) 272-5040
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                         N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
<PAGE>
 
Item 5.   Other events.
          ------------ 

     Attached to this report as Exhibit A is a copy of a release issued January
29, 1997 by the Registrant with respect to the matters referred to therein.



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                            PROVIDENCE ENERGY CORPORATION



                            By: /s/ Gary S. Gillheeney
                               ----------------------------------------------
                               Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                               and Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary

Date:  January 29, 1997

<PAGE>
 
                                   Exhibit A


Media Contact: Barbara H. Trainor       Investor Relations : Maryann Pernorio
     (401)272-5040 ext. 2411                 (401) 272-5040 ext. 2274


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------


          PROVIDENCE ENERGY JOINS WITH SOUTHERN ENERGY IN NEW ENGLAND
          ------------------------------------------------------------
                                        

PROVIDENCE, R.I.,  JANUARY 29, 1997:  Providence Energy Corp., a  Providence,
R.I. -based energy company, has agreed to form a new company together with
Southern Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based  Southern Company, to sell
electricity, gas and energy services in New England.

     "We are delighted with the expanded energy management opportunities which
the new company will be able to provide to customers across New England," said
James H. Dodge,  President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Providence
Energy Corp.

     "Our new venture with Southern is an excellent fit, combining it's broad
expertise in the electric industry with our experience in natural gas and
knowledge of the New England region. The new venture will build upon the
outstanding success we've had with Providence Energy Services, our non-regulated
energy marketing company."

     The new company, called Providence Southern Energy, will focus on
tailoring its services to the individual needs of residential, commercial and
industrial customers as consumers have more choices in a competitive energy
market. It will be differentiated by customer knowledge and customer service.
Besides providing for the electricity and gas commodity needs of customers, the
new company will also serve as a  marketing platform for other areas of
expertise of both companies including energy consulting and energy use analysis,
home and business energy services, and unified billing.
<PAGE>
 
Providence Energy Joins with Southern Energy in New England/page 2


     "Working together in New England, our two companies can become one of the
top retail energy marketers in the region," said Tom Boren, President and Chief
Executive Officer of  Southern Energy.  "Providence Energy has an excellent
understanding of the customers and the retail gas business. Southern Energy
brings to New England Southern Company's vast experience in providing retail
electricity and wholesale energy."
 
     Providence Southern Energy will have its headquarters in Providence.
Caroline Tortolani, an experienced energy marketer who has led the start-up of
Providence Energy's non-regulated marketing company, will head up the new
venture.

     Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), the United States' largest
producer of electricity, provides energy to nine countries across four
continents. It is the parent firm of five southeast U.S. electric utilities:
Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power and Savannah
Electric.  It also markets energy-related services and mobile radio services
under the Southern Company name.

     Its Southern Energy Inc. subsidiary provides power and gas marketing and
energy trading services throughout North America. Southern Energy also develops,
builds, owns and operates power production and delivery facilities and provides
a broad range of services in the U.S. and international markets.

     Southern Company's common stock is one of the 20 most widely held corporate
stocks in America.

     Providence Energy Corp. (NYSE:PVY) based in Providence, R.I., is a
diversified energy services company. The corporation owns and operates
Providence Energy Services, Inc. which markets natural gas, electricity and
related services throughout  New England and two natural gas distribution
companies, Providence Gas Company, the 150 year old company which is the largest
natural gas distributor in Rhode Island, and North Attleboro Gas Company in
Massachusetts.  The business conducted by Providence Energy Services will become
part of the new company.


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