HOUSTON, TX, Nov 10, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP) today announced the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has given final approval to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to proceed with an agreement announced last year to obtain 375,000 dekatherms per day of capacity on the Ruby Pipeline for the delivery of natural gas to PG&E's gas and electric customers.

The unanimous CPUC approval of this important "anchor" shipping agreement paves the way for El Paso to move forward with the approximately 680-mile interstate natural gas pipeline that will extend from the Opal Hub in Wyoming to a pipeline interconnect at Malin, Oregon, near California's northern border.

"We are very pleased with this decision by the California Public Utilities Commission," said Jim Cleary, president of El Paso's Western Pipelines. "This was an important milestone in keeping Ruby Pipeline on schedule to provide a much needed outlet for an increasing amount of Rocky Mountain natural gas production as well as improved supply diversity for the Western United States. With this approval, Ruby remains on schedule for a planned first quarter of 2011 in-service date."

In granting its approval, the CPUC agreed that Ruby will serve the public interest by enhancing competition, increasing reliability, and promoting gas supply diversity. In addition, the CPUC decision cited lower gas commodity and transportation costs, a reduction in environmental impacts, and favorable rates for consumers. Next, Ruby will file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in January 2009 for necessary federal approvals. For more information on the Ruby project, please visit www.rubypipeline.com.

El Paso Corporation provides natural gas and related energy products in a safe, efficient, and dependable manner. The company owns North America's largest interstate natural gas pipeline system and one of North America's largest independent natural gas producers. For more information, please visit www.elpaso.com.

El Paso Corporation Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This release includes certain forward-looking statements and projections. The company has made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information and assumptions on which these statements and projections are based are current, reasonable, and complete. However, a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this release, including, without limitation, our ability to obtain all necessary federal, state and local regulatory approvals; our ability to successfully construct and operate the proposed facilities described in this release on time and within budget; our ability to obtain additional contractual commitments; changes in steel prices for a portion of the pipeline to be purchased from our steel mills; creditworthiness of our shippers; the successful close of our financing transactions; general economic conditions in geographic regions or markets served by El Paso Corporation and its affiliates, or where operations of the company and its affiliates are located, and other factors described in the company's (and its affiliates') Securities and Exchange Commission filings. While the company makes these statements and projections in good faith, neither the company nor its management can guarantee that anticipated future results will be achieved. Reference must be made to those filings for additional important factors that may affect actual results. The company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by the company, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contacts:

Investor and Media Relations
Bruce Connery
Vice President
Office: (713) 420-5855

Media Relations
Richard Wheatley
Manager
Office: (713) 420-6828

SOURCE: El Paso Corporation