Current NewsFor
Immediate Release: Contact:
William
D. Patterson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
As previously announced, without passage of this statutory amendment, it is unlikely that the parties will be able to craft a mutually acceptable settlement. Additionally, however, a comprehensive settlement would require the negotiation of many complex issues and, therefore, even if SB206 is enacted into law, there can be no assurance that Nashua and Pennichuck will ultimately be able to reach a settlement agreement. Moreover, in addition to the approval of two-thirds of Nashua's Board of Aldermen, a definitive settlement agreement between the parties would likely also be subject to approval by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission ("NHPUC") and, depending on the terms of the settlement, Pennichuck shareholders. As announced in mid-May, Pennichuck and Nashua have agreed to a 61-day extension, to July 16, 2007, of their initial agreement to postpone the eminent domain proceedings pending before the NHPUC. In the proceedings before the NHPUC, Nashua is seeking NHPUC approval to acquire by eminent domain all or a significant portion of the assets of Pennichuck Water Works, Inc., Pennichuck's principal subsidiary. Pennichuck Water provides potable water for domestic, industrial, commercial and fire protection service to customers in Nashua and other southern New Hampshire communities. The 61-day extension was approved by the NHPUC. Pennichuck
has no plans to comment further on the status or substance of the settlement
discussions until either a definitive agreement is entered into or the
postponement of the eminent domain proceedings terminates. Pennichuck Corporation's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange under the symbol "PNNW". The Company's website is at www.pennichuck.com. This news
release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to
the financial condition, results of operations and business of Pennichuck
Corporation. Forward-looking statements are based on current information
and expectations available to management at the time the statements are
made, and are subject to various factors, risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but
are not limited to, timing and results of eminent domain proceedings before
the NHPUC, and the impact thereof on consolidated business operations;
timing and amount of regulated water utility rate relief; changes in general
economic conditions, legislation or regulation and accounting factors
affecting Pennichuck Corporation's financial condition and results of
operations; and, the impact of weather. Investors are encouraged to access
Pennichuck Corporation's annual and quarterly periodic reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission for financial and business information
regarding Pennichuck Corporation, including a more detailed discussion
of these and other risks and uncertainties that could affect Pennichuck
Corporation's forward-looking statements. |