Avista Labs Fuel Cells to Be Distributed to the Railroad Industry by ARMS

ARCHIVED 2002–2016: Originally distributed via the eWire press wire service. Preserved as historical record.

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE |

Conservation & Wildlife

Corporate Responsibility

Science & Technology

Syndication Partners

**************************************************************************

E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE

**************************************************************************

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Avista Labs Fuel Cells to Be Distributed to the Railroad Industry by ARMS

Automated Railroad Maintenance Systems and Avista Labs announce

Fuel Cell Distribution Agreement

WASHINGTON, SPOKANE & CHESTERFIELD, Jun. 10 -/E-Wire/-- Avista Labs, a whollyowned subsidiary of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA), and Automated Railroad Maintenance Systems, Inc. (ARMS) today announced a joint agreement to distribute Avista Labs' Modular Cartridge Technology(TM) proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells to the railroad industry.

ARMS, through Transportation Product Sales Company (TPSC), its selling agency, will distribute Avista Labs' Independence fuel cell product line to the railroad industry for backup and remote power applications beginning in 2002.

Joint marketing efforts will be aimed at customers from all classes of railroads and transits within North America as well as select original equipment manufacturers and contractors also serving this market.

According to the agreement, ARMS will sell a mix of Avista Labs' new commercial products, the Independence 100, Independence 500 and Independence 1000 fuel cell systems. The Avista Labs products are hydrogen fueled PEM fuel cell systems ranging from 100 watts to several kilowatts.

The companies have established distribution performance targets for 2002 and 2003 with the expectation that volumes will increase dramatically through 2006.

"The modular, hot-swappable approach offered by Avista Labs' fuel cells is an ideal fit for remote railroad applications that require superior reliability," said Walter Winzen, ARMS president and chief executive officer.

According to J. Michael Davis, chief executive officer of Avista Labs, "We are pleased to have our products represented by ARMS/TPSC. I have worked with them before and they have a well-earned and strong reputation in the railroad industry."

Avista Labs is a leader in the development and marketing of modular PEM fuel cells. The company markets a variety of commercially available fuel cells using its patented Modular Cartridge Technology(TM). Additional company information can be found at www.avistalabs.com.

ARMS is a principal distributor of power systems, electronics and LED lighting to the rail industry in North America. All products are marketed and sold through TPSC, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. More information can be found on their joint internet site at www.tpsc-arms.com.

Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is a company operating division that provides electric and natural gas service to customers in four western states. Avista's non-regulated affiliates include Avista Advantage, Avista Labs and Avista Energy. Avista Corp.'s stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA" and its Internet address is www.avistacorp.com

Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2001 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002.

Avista Labs: Sandra Saathoff (509) 228-6553, [REDACTED-EMAIL];

ARMS: Sid Bakker (636) 532-1144, [REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://www.avistacorp.com

http://www.tpsc-arms.com

**************************************************************************

To Transmit Your News Over E-Wire, visit http://www.ewire.com or

call 1-[REDACTED-PHONE]. E-Wire Is Broadcast To Millions Of Readers Worldwide

**************************************************************************