MINNEAPOLIS, Feb 15, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) announced today that its Independent Directors Committee will be evaluating Xcel Energy's announced tender offer to acquire all of NRG's outstanding common stock. Luella G. Goldberg (Chair), Pierson M. Grieve and William A. Hodder serve as members of NRG's Independent Directors Committee, a standing committee of the NRG Board of Directors.

NRG requests that stockholders defer making a determination whether to accept or reject the offer until being advised of the independent directors' recommendation. In accordance with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any recommendation would be made after Xcel formally launches its tender offer.

David H. Peterson, NRG chairman, president and chief executive officer, also clarified that Xcel's announced tender offer is an offer from Xcel to NRG shareholders, and is not based on any negotiations with NRG.

NRG Energy, Inc.

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