(LOUISVILLE, KY - Feb. 19, 2004) - LG&E Energy's innovative workforce programs have propelled the company to an honored spot nationally - as one of only four companies to receive the prestigious Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Award from the U.S. Department of Labor. The award recognizes companies that have demonstrated significant efforts to create an inclusive workforce by increasing employment opportunities for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Other companies receiving 2003 EVE Awards are The Aerospace Corporation (El Segundo, Calif.), Dell Inc. (Austin, Texas) and TICE Electric Company (Portland, Ore.).

"At LG&E Energy, we've made significant strides to create a workforce and a supplier network that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve," said Vic Staffieri, LG&E Energy's Chairman, CEO and President. "Diversity is one of our core business values, and our success depends upon our ongoing efforts to build strong relationships with our employees, suppliers and the community. I'm extremely proud the company has been honored for these efforts with an EVE Award, and credit this award to our employees' commitment and support."

The EVE Award specifically recognizes LG&E Energy's workforce policies and programs, external relationships and community commitment, which include the following:

• Recruiting: internally posting all manager-level and below positions; promoting external job openings in minority publications; and partnering with minority churches, the Urban League, military outplacement organizations, and various professional associations - such as the National Black MBA Association and National Society of Women Engineers - to hold career fairs locally and nationally.
• Personal/Professional Development: includes sexual harassment and diversity training for all employees, tuition reimbursement, Individual Development Plan process, and succession planning.
• Adoption Policy: provides employees with financial assistance and unpaid time off.
• Military Policy: provides supplemental pay and medical/dental coverage for up to 12 months to employees on active duty and their families.
• Telecommuting and Flexible Scheduling: accommodates employees' individual circumstances while meeting the needs of the business, where feasible.
• Corporate Diversity Council: demonstrates top-down support of an inclusive workplace and implements related activities companywide.
• Supplier Diversity: demonstrates corporate commitment to partner with minority- and women-owned businesses; resulted in minority spending of nearly $33 million.
• LG&E Energy Foundation: provides charitable giving in support of education, community outreach, the environment, and the arts in communities in LG&E Energy's service territory.
• Community Involvement: supports employee volunteerism with organizations and agencies throughout Kentucky, including United Way, Junior Achievement, Fund for the Arts, Middle School Connection, etc.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao honored EVE Award winners at a special ceremony this morning in Washington, D.C. LG&E Energy representatives at the ceremony included Staffieri, Paula Pottinger, LG&E Energy's Vice President of Human Resources, and other key staff members.

Previous EVE Award winners include IBM, Chrysler and Steelcase and energy companies such as Valero Energy Corporation, Pennsylvania Power & Light, Baltimore Gas & Electric, and SEMPRA Energy.

LG&E Energy also has been recognized locally as a leading company in providing work/life balance. In October 2003, the Metro Louisville Chamber of Commerce, Greater Louisville Inc., awarded LG&E Energy with its Work/Life Alliance Award. It was LG&E Energy's sixth consecutive year to receive that honor.



LG&E Energy LLC, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a diversified energy services company that is a member of E.ON AG (NYSE: EON; Frankfurt: EOA) family of companies. E.ON is the world's largest investor owned utility company. LG&E Energy owns and operates Louisville Gas and Electric Company, a regulated electric and gas utility serving Louisville, Ky., and 16 surrounding counties and Kentucky Utilities Company, a regulated electric utility, based in Lexington, Ky., which serves customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia.