MINNEAPOLIS—Sept. 18, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE)—NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) today confirmed that it has committed $1 million as a corporate cash contribution to the Twin Towers Fund, which has been established to help the families of the firefighters, police officers and emergency response personnel who perished in the World Trade Center disaster.

"The heart of each and every member of the NRG family worldwide goes out to the victims of last week's tragic events," said David H. Peterson, chairman, CEO and president of NRG. "NRG wants to do our part to help the families of the heroic emergency workers who gave their lives helping others. Their courage is an example to us all."

Peterson made NRG's commitment of support in a phone conversation on Thursday, September 13th with New York Secretary of State, Randy Daniels. Peterson expressed NRG's sympathy and desire to do whatever possible to help.

"As a participant in the New York electricity market we are a local company," said Peterson. "We are a part of New York and want to help the communities in which we live and do business."

The Twin Towers Fund is being coordinated by New York City Public/Private Initiatives, Inc., a City Hall-based organization. New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has said that the Twin Towers Fund will aid "the most direct victims of this tragedy."

In addition to this corporate contribution, NRG has established an employee matching fund--the NRG Cares Fund--to serve those affected by the tragedies in New York, Washington, and the Pittsburgh area. NRG will match every dollar given by NRG employees. Donations will go to organizations and people directly involved in the relief effort.

NRG is a leading global energy company engaged primarily in developing, constructing, acquiring and operating power generation facilities. NRG owns six generating facilities in New York including two in New York City--Arthur Kill Generating Station in Staten Island and Astoria Gas Turbines in Queens.

NRG Energy, Inc.

Media Relations
Meredith Moore, 612/373-8892