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April 22, 2008
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CH Energy Group Conducts Annual Meeting of Shareholders
(Poughkeepsie, NY) Shareholders assembled today for the 80th Annual Meeting of CH Energy Group (NYSE: CHG), a 493,000-customer energy company with holdings in 10 states. Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Steven V. Lant reported to the more than 100 stockholders present at the meeting in Poughkeepsie, and answered questions regarding the operation, investments and future outlook of the parent company and two primary subsidiaries, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation and Central Hudson Enterprises Corporation (CHEC). Lant called 2007 a “year of accomplishments,” citing the many important achievements attained during the year, despite significant challenges that affected overall earnings. “Although earnings in 2007 were one percent below those in 2006, $2.70 compared with $2.73, we continued to lay the foundation for future growth,” said Lant, citing increased investments by CHEC in renewable energy projects and oil distribution acquisitions; and by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation through improvements in electric service reliability performance, submission of a proposed energy efficiency plan pending state approval, strong levels of customer satisfaction and higher investments in the electric and natural gas infrastructure to meet a growing customer base. Lant addressed some of the challenges in 2007 that will likely continue in 2008, such as a sales shortfall as compared to projections in Central Hudson’s most recent rate agreement, customer conservation brought about by higher energy commodity costs, a weakening economy and problems in financial markets. “These contributed to lower earnings in 2007 and will likely be a drag on earnings again in 2008; but we believe these results are a trough rather than a trend, as the Company is fundamentally sound and financially strong, and will benefit from the long-term strategies put into place,” said Lant. “Top line revenue growth of 20 percent in 2007 provides an indication that the Company has the revenue base by which to grow and improve earnings.” Lant also reviewed with shareholders progress made with the Company’s “Measures of Success,” first introduced last year and outlined in the 2007 Annual Report. These five-year goals include increasing annual earnings per share by 5 percent, raising the dividend by 5 percent, improving electric system service reliability, attaining customer service targets as measured by the J.D. Power & Associates survey, growing Griffith Energy Services customer base, meeting or exceeding profitability in renewable energy projects, and investing in Central Hudson’s electric and natural gas infrastructure. “These are challenging goals, but already we have seen progress, especially in our electric service reliability targets in meeting the state mandated reliability goals, and in the growth of our customer base at Griffith,” said Lant. An audio recording of Mr. Lant’s remarks can be found on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s web site at www.CHEnergyGroup.com. During the meeting, shareholders elected three Board of Directors, Margarita K. Dilley, Steven M. Fetter and Stanley J. Grubel, for terms that will expire in 2011, and voted in favor of a shareholder proposal requesting the Board of Directors to take steps to declassify the Board. About CH Energy Group, Inc.
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