TMX group

LOWNA, BC, Aug. 17 /CNW/ - (TSX:FTS) - FortisBC Inc. today filed an
application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval
to spend approximately $111.7 million on its electrical facilities in 2006.
"The 2006 capital expenditures are necessary to upgrade FortisBC's aged
electrical system and to meet customer demand," noted John Walker, President &
CEO, FortisBC Inc. "This investment will allow the Company to continue to
focus its efforts on the key areas of safety, customer service, reliability,
productivity and the environment."
The expenditures are consistent with FortisBC's long-term System
Development Plan (SDP), which was filed with the BCUC as part of the Company's
2005 Revenue Requirements Application. The SDP includes the South Okanagan
Transmission Reinforcement Project (now nearing completion).
The most significant areas of investment in 2006 will be the expansion
and upgrading of the transmission and distribution system in the South
Okanagan and Kelowna areas, as well as the continuation of upgrades and life
extension work on hydroelectric generation facilities.
"FortisBC is committed to the long-term delivery of safe, reliable
electricity service," added Walker. "The system improvements we have planned
for 2006 will allow us to fulfill that commitment to customers at the lowest
possible cost."
FortisBC is an integrated utility operating in the southern interior of
British Columbia, serving over 146,000 customers directly and indirectly. The
utility has four hydroelectric generating plants with a combined capacity of
205 megawatts and over 6,500 kilometers of transmission and distribution power
lines. FortisBC employs approximately 450 people in BC and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Fortis Inc. - a diversified, international electric utility
holding company based in St. John's, Newfoundland, with assets exceeding
$4.0 billion and annual revenues of approximately $1.2 billion. The Common
Shares, Series C First Preference Shares and Series E First Preference Shares
of Fortis Inc. are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols FTS,
FTS.PR.C and FTS.PR.E, respectively. Fortis Inc. information can be accessed
at www.fortisinc.com.

FortisBC may include forward-looking statements in this release. By their
very nature, forward-looking statements are based on underlying assumptions
and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future
expectations generally. Such events include, but are not limited to, general
economic, market and business conditions, regulatory developments, weather and
competition. FortisBC cautions readers that should certain events or
uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may vary significantly from those expected.
For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or
factors, reference should be made to FortisBC's continuous disclosure
materials filed from time to time with Canadian Securities Regulatory
Authorities. FortisBC disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
%SEDAR: 00004134E