KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 12, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Aquila, Inc. (NYSE:ILA) is matching contributions, dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000 to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in the Gulf area. The company is also providing job opportunity information to assistance agencies in the Gulf area, Missouri and Kansas that are helping hurricane victims.
"Our hearts go out to those whose lives have been changed forever by this disaster, and we want to do what we can to help them return to a more normal life," said Richard C. Green, Aquila chairman and chief executive officer. "We are glad to be able to double the impact of the generosity of our employees, retirees and customers."
Aquila will match employee, retiree and customer contributions to recognized charitable organizations for Hurricane Katrina relief. Aquila's matching dollars, up to a $500,000 maximum, will be donated to the American Red Cross. To qualify for the match, contributors can fax a copy of their check or Internet order to 816-467-9780, or mail it to Aquila Hurricane Katrina Match, 20 West Ninth St., Kansas City, MO 64105. Contributions will be matched through September 30, 2005.
Aquila is also posting all of the company's open positions with agencies assisting hurricane victims in finding jobs. The postings include all jobs that are open in Aquila's Kansas City headquarters, as well as natural gas and electric utility operations throughout its seven-state service area.
Additionally, Aquila has released 11 contract crews from its Missouri and Colorado electric operations to help restore power in the Gulf area.
Aquila employees in many locations also are hosting fundraisers for hurricane relief and volunteering for local projects to supply necessities to families that have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Aquila is also contributing $500,000 for energy assistance in its seven-state Midwest service area to help customers affected by higher energy prices resulting from the hurricane's disruption of Gulf of Mexico natural gas production.
Based in Kansas City, Mo., Aquila operates electricity and natural gas distribution utilities serving 1.3 million customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. The company also owns and operates power generation assets. More information about Aquila and available job opportunities is available at www.aquila.com.