<PAGE>

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                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                       THE DAYTON POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY,

                              INDIANA ENERGY, INC.

                                       AND

                                NUMBER-3CHK, INC.



                                December 14, 1999
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<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                          Page

<S>                                                                                                       <C>
ARTICLE   I    DEFINITIONS..................................................................................1
           1.1                 DEFINITIONS..................................................................1

ARTICLE   II   PURCHASE AND SALE............................................................................8
           2.1                 THE SALE.....................................................................8
           2.2                 EXCLUDED ASSETS.............................................................10
           2.3                 ASSUMED OBLIGATIONS.........................................................10
           2.4                 EXCLUDED LIABILITIES........................................................12

ARTICLE   III  PURCHASE PRICE..............................................................................14
           3.1                 PURCHASE PRICE..............................................................14
           3.2                 PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT...................................................14
           3.3                 ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE................................................15
           3.4                 PRORATION...................................................................15

ARTICLE   IV   THE CLOSING.................................................................................17
           4.1                 TIME AND PLACE OF CLOSING...................................................17
           4.2                 PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE...................................................17
           4.3                 DELIVERIES BY THE SELLER....................................................17
           4.4                 DELIVERIES BY THE BUYER.....................................................18
           4.5                 COVENANT BY PARENT..........................................................19

ARTICLE   V    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER................................................19
           5.1                 ORGANIZATION; QUALIFICATION.................................................19
           5.2                 AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT........................................19
           5.3                 CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATION........................................20
           5.4                 REPORTS.....................................................................21
           5.5                 SELLER REPORTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS........................................21
           5.6                 NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT..................................................21
           5.7                 TITLE TO ASSETS.............................................................22
           5.8                 LEASES......................................................................22
           5.9                 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.......................................................22
           5.10                LABOR MATTERS...............................................................23
           5.11                ERISA; BENEFIT PLANS........................................................23
           5.12                CERTAIN CONTRACTS AND ARRANGEMENTS..........................................24
           5.13                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND JUDGMENTS.............................................25
           5.14                PERMITS.....................................................................25
           5.15                COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS........................................................25
           5.16                TAXES.......................................................................25
           5.17                REGULATION AS A UTILITY.....................................................25


<PAGE>

           5.18                YEAR 2000 COMPLIANT.........................................................25
           5.19                INVENTORY...................................................................25
           5.20                BUSINESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...............................................26

ARTICLE   VI   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT AND BUYER......................................26
           6.1                 ORGANIZATION................................................................26
           6.2                 AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT........................................26
           6.3                 CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATION........................................26
           6.4                 REGULATION AS A UTILITY.....................................................27
           6.5                 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.......................................................27

ARTICLE   VII  COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES....................................................................27
           7.1                 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.........................................................27
           7.2                 ACCESS TO INFORMATION.......................................................29
           7.3                 EXPENSES....................................................................31
           7.4                 FURTHER ASSURANCES..........................................................31
           7.5                 PUBLIC STATEMENTS...........................................................32
           7.6                 CONSENTS AND APPROVALS......................................................33
           7.7                 FEES AND COMMISSIONS........................................................33
           7.8                 TAX MATTERS.................................................................34
           7.9                 SUPPLEMENTS TO SCHEDULES....................................................34
           7.10                EMPLOYEES...................................................................35
           7.11                RISK OF LOSS................................................................36
           7.12                LITIGATION SUPPORT..........................................................36
           7.13                TRANSITION SERVICES.........................................................36
           7.14                FINANCING COMMITMENT........................................................37
           7.15                NOTIFICATION................................................................37

ARTICLE   VIII CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.......................................................................37
           8.1                 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATIONS TO EFFECT THE CLOSING................37
           8.2                 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER......................................38
           8.3                 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLER.....................................38

ARTICLE   IX   INDEMNIFICATION.............................................................................39
           9.1                 INDEMNIFICATION.............................................................39
           9.2                 DEFENSE OF CLAIMS...........................................................40

ARTICLE   X    TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT.................................................................43
           10.1                TERMINATION.................................................................43
           10.2                PROCEDURE AND EFFECT OF TERMINATION.........................................43

ARTICLE   XI   MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS....................................................................44
           11.1                AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION..................................................44
           11.2                WAIVER OF COMPLIANCE; CONSENTS..............................................44


<PAGE>

           11.3                NO SURVIVAL.................................................................44
           11.4                NOTICES.....................................................................45
           11.5                ASSIGNMENT..................................................................46
           11.6                GOVERNING LAW...............................................................47
           11.7                COUNTERPARTS................................................................47
           11.8                INTERPRETATION..............................................................47
           11.9                SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS......................................................47
           11.10               ENTIRE AGREEMENT............................................................47
           11.11               BULK SALES OR TRANSFER LAWS.................................................47
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

EXHIBIT A  -         Form of Bill of Sale
EXHIBIT B  -         Form of Instrument of Assumption
EXHIBIT C  -         Form of Limited Warranty Deed
EXHIBIT D  -         Material Terms of Noncompetition Agreement


<PAGE>

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     This Asset Purchase Agreement (this "AGREEMENT"), is made as of December
14, 1999 by and between The Dayton Power and Light Company, an Ohio corporation
(the "SELLER"), Indiana Energy, Inc., an Indiana corporation ("PARENT"), and
Number-3CHK, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "BUYER").

     WHEREAS, the Buyer desires to purchase, and the Seller desires to sell, the
Purchased Assets (as hereinafter defined) upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth in this Agreement;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations,
warranties and agreements hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Article I                        DEFINITIONS

     .1_ DEFINITIONS. (a) As used in this Agreement, the following terms have
the meanings specified in this Section 1.1(a).

     "AFFILIATE" has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Exchange Act.

     "BALANCE SHEET" means the June 30, 1999 balance sheet of the Business as
set forth on SCHEDULE 1.1(a)(1).

     "BILL OF SALE" means the Bill of Sale to be executed and delivered by the
Seller at the Closing, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT A
hereto.

     "BOOK VALUE" means amounts recorded on the books and records of Seller
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
consistent with the Balance Sheet.

     "BUSINESS" means the Natural Gas Distribution Business.

     "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday and any day which
is a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in Dayton, Ohio are
authorized by law or other governmental action to close.

     "BUYER REPRESENTATIVES" means the Parent's and Buyer's accountants,
employees, counsel, environmental consultants, financial advisors and other
authorized representatives.

     "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act, as amended.


<PAGE>

     "COBRA" means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985,
as amended.

     "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     "COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS" means those collective bargaining
agreements listed on SCHEDULE 1.1(a)(2).

     "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT" means the Confidentiality Agreement, dated
September 14, 1999 between Seller's agent and Parent.

     "ELECTRIC BUSINESS" means the activities carried on by the Seller for the
purpose of generating electric energy and transmitting and distributing electric
energy to, or on behalf of, wholesale and retail customers.

     "ENCUMBRANCES" means any mortgages, pledges, liens, claims, charges,
security interests, conditional and installment sale agreements, activity and
use limitations, conservation easements, deed restrictions, encumbrances and
charges of any kind.

     "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means all federal, state and local laws, statutes,
regulations, rules, rules of common law, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments,
directives, or judicial or administrative orders relating to pollution or
protection of the environment, natural resources or human health and safety,
including, without limitation, CERCLA and laws relating to Releases or
threatened Releases of Hazardous Substances (including, without limitation, into
ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land, surface and subsurface strata) or
otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment,
storage, Release, transport or handling of Hazardous Substances.

     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

     "ESTIMATED ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT" means the Seller's good faith reasonable
estimate of the Adjustment Amount for the Closing, which estimate shall be
provided to the Buyer no later than five Business Days before the Closing
together with a detailed accounting of Seller's estimated calculations.

     "EVALUATION MATERIAL" has the meaning specified in the Confidentiality
Agreement.

     "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     "FERC" means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

     "GAS INVENTORY ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT" means the Book Value of all natural gas
in storage as of the Closing Date in quantities as reported by the applicable
natural gas storage operators calculated in the same manner as reflected on the
Balance Sheet MINUS the amount of natural gas in storage recorded on the Balance
Sheet.


<PAGE>

     "GOOD UTILITY PRACTICE" means any of the practices, methods and acts
required of the Person to whom Good Utility Practices is being applied that are
required by PUCO or engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the
natural gas distribution industry, or any of the practices, methods or acts
that, in the exercise of reasonable judgment in light of the facts known at the
time the decision was made, could have been expected to accomplish the desired
result at a reasonable cost consistent with good business practices,
reliability, safety and expedition. Good Utility Practices is not intended to be
limited to the optimum practice, method or act to the exclusion of all others,
but rather to be acceptable practices, methods or acts generally accepted in the
region.

     "GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY" means any Federal, state or local governmental or
regulatory authority, department, agency, commission, body or other governmental
entity.

     "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES" means (a) any petrochemical or petroleum products,
oil, coal tar, or coal ash, radioactive materials, radon gas, asbestos in any
form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation or other
equipment that contains dielectric fluid which may contain levels of
polychlorinated biphenyls; (b) any chemicals, materials or substances defined as
or included in the definition of "hazardous substances," "solid wastes,"
"hazardous wastes," "hazardous materials," "restricted hazardous materials,"
"extremely hazardous substances," "toxic substances," "contaminants" or
"pollutants" under any applicable Environmental Law or words of similar meaning
and regulatory effect; or (c) any other chemical, material or substance,
exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any applicable
Environmental Law.

     "HOLDING COMPANY ACT" means the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935,
as amended.

     "HSR ACT" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended.

     "INCOME TAX" means any federal, state, local or foreign Tax (a) based upon,
measured by or calculated with respect to net income, profits or receipts
(including, without limitation, capital gains Taxes and minimum Taxes) or (b)
based upon, measured by or calculated with respect to multiple bases (including,
without limitation, corporate franchise taxes) if one or more of the bases on
which such Tax may be based, measured by or calculated with respect to, is
described in clause (a), in each case together with any interest, penalties, or
additions to such Tax.

     "INDENTURE" means the Indenture dated as of October 1, 1935 between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as thereafter supplemented from
time to time.

     "INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM" means any independent accounting firm of
national reputation mutually appointed by the Seller and the Buyer.

     "INSTRUMENT OF ASSUMPTION" means the Instrument of Assumption to be
executed and delivered by the Buyer at Closing, substantially in the form of
EXHIBIT B hereto.


<PAGE>

     "LIMITED WARRANTY DEED" means the limited warranty deed to be executed and
delivered by the Seller at the Closing, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT C
attached hereto.

     "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means any change or changes in, or effect on, the
Business and the Purchased Assets that is individually, or in the aggregate are,
reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the business, assets, operations
or financial condition of the Business and the Purchased Assets, taken as a
whole, other than (a) any change or effect resulting from changes in the
international, national, regional or local wholesale or retail markets for
natural gas, (b) any change or effect resulting from changes in the North
American, national, regional or local natural gas pipeline or distribution
system markets, (c) any change or effect resulting from changes in law, rules,
regulations, orders or other binding directives issued by any Governmental
Entity or any change in the amount or structure of rates or tariffs applicable
to the Business, (d) any change or effect in any way resulting from or arising
in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
(including any announcement with respect to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby), (e) changes in economic, regulatory or political
conditions generally, (f) changes in weather conditions affecting the Business,
or (g) any materially adverse change in or effect on the Purchased Assets or the
Business which is cured (including by the payment of money) by the Seller before
the Termination Date.

     "MATERIAL AND SUPPLY ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT" means the Book Value of the
materials and supplies relating to the Business as of the Closing Date
calculated in the same manner as reflected on the Balance Sheet MINUS the amount
of the materials and supplies recorded on the Balance Sheet.

     "NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS" means the activities carried on by the
Seller for the purpose of receiving natural gas or propane and distributing it
to, or on behalf of, wholesale and retail customers in the state of Ohio.

     "PARENT" means Indiana Energy, Inc. and, upon closing of Indiana Energy,
Inc.'s pending business combination with SIGCORP, Inc., Vectren Corporation.


<PAGE>

     "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" means (a) those Encumbrances set forth in SCHEDULE
1.1(a)(3); (b) those exceptions to title to the Purchased Assets listed in
SCHEDULE 5.7; (c) with respect to any date before the Closing Date, Encumbrances
created by the Indenture; (d) statutory liens for current taxes or assessments
not yet due or delinquent or the validity or amount of which is being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings, none of which contested matters is
material; (e) mechanics', carriers', workers', repairers' and other similar
liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business relating to
obligations as to which there is no default on the part of the Seller or the
validity or amount of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, none of which contested matters is material, or pledges, deposits
or other liens securing the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases or
statutory obligations (including workers' compensation, unemployment insurance
or other social security legislation); (f) zoning, entitlement, conservation
restriction and other land use and environmental regulations by governmental
authorities which do not materially interfere with the present use of the
Purchased Assets; (g) all exceptions, restrictions, easements, charges, rights
of way and other Encumbrances set forth in any State, local or municipal
franchise under which the Business is conducted which do not materially
interfere with the present use of the Purchased Assets; and (h) such other
liens, imperfections in or failure of title, charges, easements, rights-of-way,
encroachments, exceptions, restrictions and encumbrances which do not materially
interfere with the present use of the Purchased Assets and neither secure
indebtedness or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property, nor
individually or in the aggregate create a Material Adverse Effect.

     "PERSON" means any individual, partnership, limited liability company,
joint venture, corporation, trust, unincorporated organization or any
Governmental Entity.

     "PRIME RATE" means, for any day, the per annum rate of interest quoted as
the "Bank Prime Rate" rate for the most recent weekday for which such rate is
quoted in the statistical release designated as H.15(519), or any successor
publication, published from time to time by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.

     "PROPANE ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT" means the Book Value of the propane relating to
the Business as of the Closing Date calculated in the same manner as reflected
on the Balance Sheet MINUS the amount of the propane recorded on the Balance
Sheet.

     "PUCO" means the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

     "REGULATORY ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT" means the net amount of the Book Value of
the Regulatory Assets over the Book Value of the Regulatory Liabilities relating
to the Business as of the Closing Date (in each case calculated in a manner
consistent with the preparation of SCHEDULE 1.1(a)(1)) MINUS the net amount of
the Book Value of the Regulatory Assets over the Book Value of the Regulatory
Liabilities recorded on SCHEDULE 1.1(a)(1).

     "REGULATORY ASSETS" means those assets set forth on SCHEDULE 1.1(a)(1).

     "REGULATORY LIABILITIES" means those liabilities set forth on SCHEDULE
1.1(a)(1).

     "RELEASE" means release, spill, leak, discharge, dispose of, pump, pour,
emit, empty, inject, leach, dump or allow to escape into or through the


<PAGE>

environment.

     "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


<PAGE>

     "SELLER'S AGREEMENTS" means any contract, agreement, real or personal
property lease, commitment, understanding or instrument to which the Seller is a
party or by which it is bound which relates exclusively to the Business or the
Purchased Assets and which either (i) is listed or described on SCHEDULE 2.1,
SCHEDULE 5.8 or SCHEDULE 5.12 (including the Transportation Agreements), (ii)
has been entered into, renewed, extended or otherwise amended in the ordinary
course of business and does not involve obligations in excess of $500,000
individually or (iii) is otherwise entered into, renewed, extended or otherwise
amended after the date hereof consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in
each case, as the same may exist as of the Closing.

     "SELLER'S KNOWLEDGE" means the actual knowledge of any officer of the
Seller who performs a policy making function, or who is in charge of a principal
business unit (including the Business). An individual will be deemed to have
"Knowledge" or "Know" or have "Known" of a particular fact or other matter if
such individual is actually aware of such fact or other matter.

     "SELLER'S REPRESENTATIVES" means the Seller's accountants, employees,
counsel, environmental consultants, financial advisors and other authorized
representatives.

     "SUBSIDIARY," when used in reference to any other Person, means any Person
of which outstanding securities having ordinary voting power to elect a majority
of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions of such
Person are owned directly or indirectly by such other Person.

     "TAX AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that is
a member of an affiliated group of corporations (within the meaning of section
1504(a) of the Code) filing a consolidated U.S. federal income Tax Return, and a
group of corporations filing a consolidated or combined Tax Return for state,
local or foreign purposes (each a "CONSOLIDATED GROUP"), if the first Person
could be held liable for the Taxes of such other Person or Consolidated Group.

     "TAX" and "TAXES" means all taxes, charges, fees, levies, penalties or
other assessments imposed by any United States federal, state or local taxing
authority, including, but not limited to, income, excise, property, sales,
transfer, franchise, payroll, withholding, social security or other taxes,
including any interest, penalties or additions attributable thereto.

     "TAX RETURN" means any return, report, information return or other document
(including any related or supporting information) required to be supplied to any
Governmental Entity with respect to Taxes.

     "TRANSFERRING EMPLOYEE RECORDS" means all personnel files related to the
Business Employees who will become employees of the Buyer to the extent such
files pertain to (i) skill and development training and resumes, (ii) seniority
histories, (iii) salary and benefit information, (iv) Occupational, Safety and
Health Administration medical reports, (v) active medical restriction forms and
(vi) job performance reviews and applications.

     "TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENTS" means the agreements which are listed on
SCHEDULE 5.12 under the heading "Transportation Agreements".

     "WARN ACT" means the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act of
1988, as amended.


<PAGE>

     "YEAR 2000 PROBLEM" means the risk that computer applications used by, or
operated within the custody or control of a Person may be unable to recognize or
properly perform date-sensitive functions involving certain dates prior to, and
any date after, December 31, 1999.]

1)   Each of the following terms has the meaning specified in the Section set
forth opposite such term:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                     TERM
                                                                            SECTION

<S>                                                                                                               <C>
           Adjustment Amount                                                                                      3.2(a)
           Adjustment Statement                                                                                   3.2(a)
           Assumed Obligations                                                                                    2.3
           Base Price                                                                                             3.1
           Benefit Plans                                                                                          5.11(a)
           Business Employees                                                                                     7.10(a)
           Buyer Environmental Liabilities                                                                        2.3(e)
           Buyer Material Adverse Effect                                                                          4.4(f)
           Buyer Required Regulatory Approvals                                                                    6.3(b)
           Closing                                                                                                4.1
           Closing Date                                                                                           4.1
           Direct Claim                                                                                           9.2(c)
           Environmental Liabilities                                                                              2.3(e)
           Environmental Permits                                                                                  5.9(a)
           ERISA Affiliate                                                                                        2.4(d)
           ERISA Affiliate Plan                                                                                   2.4(d)
           Estimated Purchase Price                                                                               4.2
           Excluded Assets                                                                                        2.2
           Excluded Liabilities                                                                                   2.4
           Final Order                                                                                            8.1(c)
           GAAP                                                                                                   5.5
           Gas Easements                                                                                          7.4(b)
           Indemnifiable Loss                                                                                     9.1(a)
           Indemnifying Party                                                                                     9.1(d)
           Indemnitee                                                                                             9.1(c)
           Latest Form 10-Q                                                                                       5.6
           License Agreement                                                                                      4.3(j)
           New Buyer Employees                                                                                    7.10(a)
           Non-Union Employees                                                                                    7.10(c)
           Permits                                                                                                5.14
           Prepaid Excise Taxes                                                                                   3.4(a)
           Purchased Assets                                                                                       2.1
           Purchase Price                                                                                         3.1
           Real Estate                                                                                            2.1(a)
           Seller Reports                                                                                         5.5


<PAGE>

           Seller Required Regulatory Approvals                                                                   5.3(b)
           Shared Easements                                                                                       7.4(b)
           Summary                                                                                                7.13
           Termination Date                                                                                       10.1(b)
           Third Party Claim                                                                                      9.2(a)
           Transferable Permits                                                                                   2.1(e)
           Transition Committee                                                                                   7.1(b)
           Transition Services                                                                                    7.13
           Union Employees                                                                                        7.10(b)
</TABLE>


                                    ARTICLE I
                                PURCHASE AND SALE

          I.1_ THE SALE. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction of the
conditions contained in this Agreement, at the Closing, the Seller will sell,
assign, convey, transfer and deliver to the Buyer, and the Buyer will purchase
and acquire from Seller on a going concern basis, free and clear of all
Encumbrances (except for Permitted Encumbrances), all of the Seller's right,
title and interest in, to and under the real and personal property, tangible or
intangible described below, other than the Excluded Assets (collectively, the
"PURCHASED ASSETS"):

                               (a) the real property, leaseholds and
           subleaseholds therein, buildings, structures and other improvements
           (including gas pipes and pipelines, empty downtown ducts in the City
           of Dayton, meters and related equipment, and all facilities used for
           storing and delivering propane), fixtures and fittings thereon,
           easements, license agreements, leases, rights of way and other real
           property interests described on SCHEDULE 2.1 or to be conveyed
           pursuant to Section 7.4(b) (the "REAL ESTATE");

                               (b) all inventories of natural gas, fuels,
           propane, supplies, materials and critical spares used exclusively in
           connection with the Business and located on, in storage for, or in
           transit to or from the Real Estate on the Closing Date;

                               (c) the machinery, equipment, vehicles, furniture
           and other tangible personal property used exclusively in connection
           with the Business, including the items of tangible personal property
           listed on SCHEDULE 2.1, and all warranties against manufacturers or
           vendors relating thereto, to the extent that such warranties are
           freely transferable;

                               (d) the Seller's Agreements, in each case, to
           the extent the same are assignable;

                               (e) the Permits and  Environmental  Permits
           listed on SCHEDULE 5.14 in each case, to the extent the same are
           assignable (the "TRANSFERABLE PERMITS");


<PAGE>

2)    all processes, trade secrets, customer data, know-how and other
      proprietary or confidential information used exclusively in connection
      with the Business and all confidentiality, noncompete or nondisclosure
      agreements executed by employees of Seller relating to the Business;

                               (f) originals or copies of all Transferring
           Employee Records, books, operating records, operating, safety and
           maintenance manuals, engineering design plans, blueprints and
           as-built plans, specifications, procedures and similar items of the
           Seller relating specifically to the Purchased Assets including books
           of account, all customer lists, billing records and other customer
           correspondence relating to the Business, all regulatory filings and
           other books and records relating to the rates and services provided
           by Seller in connection with the operation of the Business;

                               3)  all of the rights, claims or causes of
           action of Seller against a third party exclusively related to the
           Purchased Assets, the operation of the Business or the Assumed
           Obligations arising out of transactions occurring prior to the
           Closing Date, except where such rights, claims or causes of action
           relate to Excluded Liabilities; to the extent such rights, claims or
           causes of action relate to both Assumed Obligations and Excluded
           Liabilities, Buyer and Seller shall share such rights, claims or
           causes of action in the same proportion as their respective
           liabilities bear to the total liability relating to those rights,
           claims or causes of action;

                               (g) any assets purchased or to be purchased by
           the Seller pursuant to Section 7.4(d); and

                               4)  to the extent assignable, the experience
           rating and applicable rate for Ohio State unemployment tax purposes
           with respect to the Business and the New Buyer Employees pursuant to
           Section 4141-17 of the Ohio Administrative Code; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
           that the experience rating and the applicable rate is more favorable
           to Buyer than the experience rating and the applicable rate would be
           for a new Ohio business.

           I.2_ EXCLUDED ASSETS. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the
contrary, the Purchased Assets shall not include the following property or
assets, or any property or assets not described in Section 2.1, of the Seller
(the "EXCLUDED ASSETS"):

                               (a) cash, cash equivalents, customer deposits
           and advances, bank deposits and accounts receivable;

                               (b) certificates of deposit,  shares of stock,
           securities, bonds, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, interests
           in any Person owned by Seller, including but not limited to Miami
           Valley Market Hub, Inc., Market Hub Partners, L.P., Market Hub
           Partners, Inc. and Miami Valley Resources, Inc.;


<PAGE>


                               (c) except as provided in Section 4.3(j), the
           name "Dayton Power and Light Company" or any derivative thereof
           (including, without limitation, DPL and DP&L) or any related, similar
           or other trade names, trademarks, service marks or logos of the
           Seller;

                               (d) properties and assets used in the conduct of
           the Electric Business;

                               (e) subject to Section 3.4 hereof, any refund or
           credit (i) related to real or personal property Taxes paid prior to
           the Closing Date in respect of the Purchased Assets, whether such
           refund is received as a payment or as a credit against future real or
           personal property Taxes payable, or (ii) arising under the Seller's
           Agreements and relating to a period before the Closing Date;

                               (f) any surcharge that the Seller or the Buyer is
           authorized by a Governmental Authority to impose on customers of the
           Business for periods prior to the Closing Date; provided, however,
           such surcharge is not related to an Assumed Obligation;

                               (g) subject to Section 7.2, any books, records or
           the like of the Seller other than those books, records, and the like
           specifically described in Section 2.1(g);

                               (h) certain interests in natural gas pipeline
           facilities and contract rights used to supply natural gas to the
           facilities comprising the Seller's Electric Business described or
           referred to in SCHEDULE 2.2; and

                               (i) the rights of the Seller under this
           Agreement.

           I.3_ ASSUMED OBLIGATIONS. On the Closing Date, the Buyer shall
deliver to the Seller the Instrument of Assumption pursuant to which the Buyer
shall assume and agree to discharge all of the liabilities and obligations of
the Seller, direct or indirect, known or unknown, absolute or contingent, which
relate exclusively to the Purchased Assets or the Business, other than Excluded
Liabilities (the "ASSUMED OBLIGATIONS"), in accordance with the respective terms
and subject to the respective conditions thereof, including, without limitation,
the following liabilities and obligations:

                               (a) all liabilities and obligations of the Seller
           under the Seller's Agreements and the Transferable Permits in
           accordance with the terms thereof, except, in each case, to the
           extent such liabilities and obligations, but for a breach or default
           by the Seller, would have been paid, performed or otherwise
           discharged on or prior to the Closing Date or to the extent the same
           arise out of any such breach or default by the Seller prior to the
           Closing;

                               5)  all liabilities and obligations relating to
           any customer deposits and customer advances of the Business;


<PAGE>

                               (b) all  liabilities  and  obligations
           associated  with the  Purchased  Assets or the Business in respect
           of Taxes for which the Buyer is liable pursuant to Section 3.4 or
           7.8(a);

                               (c) all liabilities and obligations with respect
           to the New Buyer Employees to be employed by the Buyer in the conduct
           of the Business after the Closing Date for which the Buyer is
           responsible pursuant to Section 7.10; and

                               (d) except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4,
           any liability, obligation or responsibility under or related to
           former, current or future Environmental Laws, whether such liability
           or obligation or responsibility is known or unknown, contingent or
           accrued, arising as a result of or in connection with (i) any
           violation or alleged violation of Environmental Law, prior to, at or
           after the Closing Date, with respect to the ownership of the
           Purchased Assets or the operation of the Business; (ii) loss of life,
           injury to persons or property or damage to natural resources (whether
           or not such loss, injury or damage arose or was made manifest before
           the Closing Date or arises or becomes manifest after the Closing
           Date), caused (or allegedly caused) by the (A) off-site disposal,
           storage, transportation, discharge, recycling, or the arrangement for
           such activities, of Hazardous Substances, prior to, at or after the
           Closing Date, in connection with the ownership of the Purchased
           Assets or the operation of the Business, or (B) the presence or
           Release of Hazardous Substances at, on, in, under, adjacent to or
           migrating from any of the Purchased Assets prior to, at or after the
           Closing Date, including, but not limited to, Hazardous Substances
           contained in building materials in any of the Purchased Assets or in
           the soil, surface water, sediments, groundwater, landfill cells, or
           in other environmental media at, on, in, under, adjacent to or
           migrating from any of the Purchased Assets; (iii) the investigation
           or remediation (whether or not such investigation or remediation
           commenced before the Closing Date or commences after the Closing
           Date) of Hazardous Substances that are present or have been Released
           prior to, at or after the Closing Date at, on, in, under, adjacent to
           or migrating from the Purchased Assets, including, but not limited
           to, Hazardous Substances contained in building materials in any of
           the Purchased Assets or in the soil, surface water, sediments,
           groundwater, landfill cells, or in other environmental media at, on,
           in, under, adjacent to or migrating from any of the Purchased Assets;
           or (iv) the matters listed on SCHEDULE 5.9 ("ENVIRONMENTAL
           LIABILITIES"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Buyer only assumes the first
           $10,000,000 in Environmental Liabilities in the aggregate to be
           expended in the five years from the date of Closing arising from
           Seller's operation of the Business, or the ownership, operation, use
           or environmental condition of the Purchased Assets prior to the
           Closing, and provided further that, as between Buyer and Seller,
           Buyer shall assume all Environmental Liabilities resulting from its
           operation of the Business or the ownership, operation or use of the
           Purchased Assets, or environmental conditions thereon caused or
           exacerbated, after the Closing and all Environmental Liabilities
           arising after the fifth anniversary of the Closing regardless of who
           operated the Business giving rise to such liabilities ( the "BUYER
           ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES").


<PAGE>

In addition, in the event there are any liabilities or obligations relating to
both the Business and the Purchased Assets and to Seller's other businesses,
Buyer and Seller shall share such liabilities and obligations based upon the
benefits to each of the Business and the Purchased Assets, on the one hand, and
Seller's other businesses, on the other hand, arising from the creation or
occurrence of such liabilities or obligations.

           I.4_ EXCLUDED LIABILITIES. The Buyer shall not assume or be obligated
to pay, perform or otherwise discharge any of the following liabilities or
obligations (collectively, the "EXCLUDED LIABILITIES"):

                               (a) any  liabilities or  obligations  of the
           Seller in respect of any Excluded Assets or other assets of the
           Seller which are not Purchased Assets or related to the Business;

                                   6)  any liabilities or obligations in
           respect of indebtedness for borrowed money;

                               (b) any liabilities or obligations in respect of
           Taxes of the Seller, any Tax Affiliate of the Seller, or attributable
           to the Business or the Purchased Assets for taxable periods ending on
           or before the Closing, except for Taxes for which the Buyer is liable
           pursuant to Section 3.4 or Section 7.8(a);

                               (c) any liabilities, obligations or
           responsibilities relating to any employment, severance or change in
           control agreement to which Seller or any ERISA Affiliate (as defined
           herein) is a party, any "employee benefit plan" (as defined in
           section 3(3) of ERISA) whether or not subject to ERISA or any
           "employee pension benefit plan" (as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA)
           whether or not subject to ERISA maintained by the Seller and any
           trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which are or have
           ever been under common control, or which are or have ever been
           treated as a single employer, with the Seller under section 414(b),
           (c), (m) or (o) of the Code ("ERISA AFFILIATE") or to which the
           Seller and any ERISA Affiliate contributed thereunder (the "ERISA
           AFFILIATE PLANS"), including any multiemployer plan, maintained by,
           contributed to, or with respect to which there is or has been an
           obligation to contribute to, at any time, by the Seller or any ERISA
           Affiliate, including, without limitation, any liability (A) to the
           Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation under Title IV of ERISA; (B)
           relating to a multiemployer plan; (C) with respect to noncompliance
           with the notice and benefit continuation requirements of COBRA; (D)
           with respect to any noncompliance with ERISA, the Code or any other
           applicable laws; or (E) with respect to any suit, proceeding or claim
           which is brought against the Buyer, any Benefit Plan, ERISA Affiliate
           Plan, any fiduciary or former fiduciary of any such Benefit Plan or
           ERISA Affiliate Plan;


<PAGE>

                               (d) any liabilities or obligations arising from
           conduct prior to the Closing relating to (x) any claim made or cause
           of action filed on or before the time of the Closing, including
           without limitation, those relating to economic harm, personal injury,
           discrimination, property damage, death, health and safety, worker's
           compensation, wrongful discharge or unfair labor practices, (y) any
           incidents or occurrences that could reasonably be expected to lead to
           any claim made or cause of action filed before or after the Closing,
           including without limitation, those relating to economic harm,
           personal injury, discrimination, property damage, death, health and
           safety, worker's compensation, wrongful discharge or unfair labor
           practices, in each case only to the extent that Seller has knowledge
           of such incidents or occurrences before Closing or (z) intentional
           torts or fraudulent acts or acts or omissions involving gross
           negligence or resulting in the imposition of punitive damages
           irrespective of when any claims relating thereto may arise;

                               (e) any payment obligations of the Seller for
           goods delivered or services rendered prior to the Closing;

                               7)  any liabilities or obligations relating to
           any manufactured gas plant sites or manufactured gas plant operations
           of Seller or its predecessors, and the Cardington Road Landfill
           (located at 1855 Cardington Road, Moraine, Ohio), the North Sanitary
           Landfill (located at 200 Valley Crest Drive, Dayton, Ohio), the
           United Scrap Lead site in Miami County, Ohio, and the Powell Road
           Landfill in Huber Heights, Montgomery County, Ohio superfund sites;

                               8)  subject to Section 3.4, any accounts  payable
           or accrued expenses, in each case in accordance with GAAP, of the
           Business as of the Closing;

                               9)  subject to Section 7.10, any liability or
           obligation under any deferred compensation arrangement or severance
           policy or any obligation to make any parachute payment;

                               10) any Environmental Liabilities other than
           Buyer Environmental Liabilities; and

                               (f) any liabilities or obligations of the Seller
           under this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                 PURCHASE PRICE


<PAGE>

     II.1_ PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price for the Purchased Assets shall be
an amount equal to the sum of (a) $425,000,000 (the "BASE PRICE"), PLUS or MINUS
(b) the Adjustment Amount (the "PURCHASE PRICE"). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if the Closing takes place after December 31, 2000 due to the failure to obtain
any governmental consent or approval required to be obtained pursuant to Section
8.1(c) or other regulatory reasons (other than solely as a result of Seller's
breach of Section 7.6(b)), the Base Price shall be increased by an amount equal
to the product of (i)(x) the Purchase Price as determined before this increase,
LESS (y), the adjusted basis of the Purchased Assets for federal income tax
purposes, LESS (z),the "Book-Tax Differential" with respect to the Purchased
Assets as defined in Ohio Revised Code Sec. 5733.0510(A)(5), and (ii) 5.6666%.
This increase is intended to make Seller whole for Ohio Franchise Tax which may
apply if the Closing is after December 31, 2000; provided that if the Seller may
minimize this franchise tax without, in its reasonable opinion, a material cost
or disadvantage to itself, whether economic, regulatory, or otherwise, it shall
take such commercially reasonable measures or actions which it deems appropriate
to do so, and the Purchase Price shall be adjusted accordingly.

     II.2_ PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT. (a) Within 60 days after the Closing, the
Seller shall prepare and deliver to the Buyer a statement (the "ADJUSTMENT
STATEMENT") which reflects (i) the Gas Inventory Adjustment Amount, (ii) the
Material and Supply Adjustment Amount, (iii) the Propane Adjustment Amount, (iv)
the Regulatory Adjustment Amount and (v) all amounts paid by the Seller pursuant
to Section 7.4(d) hereof, together with a detailed accounting of each proposed
adjustment to the Purchase Price. The sum of the Gas Inventory Adjustment
Amount, the Material and Supply Adjustment Amount, the Propane Adjustment
Amount, the Regulatory Adjustment Amount and the amounts paid by the Seller
pursuant to Section 7.4(d) hereof as of the Closing is referred to as the
"ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT." The Buyer agrees to cooperate with the Seller in connection
with the preparation of the Adjustment Statement and related information, and
shall provide the Seller with access to its books, records and information and
access to employees as may be reasonably requested from time to time.

                    (b) The Buyer may dispute the Adjustment Amount; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Buyer shall notify the Seller in writing of the disputed
amount, and the basis of such dispute, within 10 Business Days of the Buyer's
receipt of the applicable Adjustment Statement. In the event of a dispute with
respect to any part of an Adjustment Amount, the Buyer and the Seller shall
attempt to reconcile their differences and any resolution by them as to any
disputed amounts shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties. If the
Buyer and the Seller are unable to reach a resolution of such differences within
30 days of receipt of the Buyer's written notice of dispute to the Seller, the
Buyer and the Seller shall submit the amounts remaining in dispute for
determination and resolution to the Independent Accounting Firm, which shall be
instructed to determine and report to the parties, within 30 days after such
submission, upon such remaining disputed amounts, and such report shall be
final, binding and conclusive on the parties hereto with respect to the amounts
disputed. The fees and disbursements of the Independent Accounting Firm shall be
allocated between the Buyer and the Seller so that the Buyer's share of such
fees and disbursements shall be in the same proportion that the aggregate amount
of such remaining disputed amounts so submitted by the Buyer to the Independent
Accounting Firm that is unsuccessfully disputed by the Buyer (as finally
determined by the Independent Accounting Firm) bears to the total amount of such
remaining disputed amounts so submitted by the Buyer to the Independent
Accounting Firm.


<PAGE>

                    (c) Within 10 Business Days after the Buyer's
receipt of an Adjustment Statement, the Buyer shall pay all undisputed amounts,
or if there is a dispute with respect to any amount on such Adjustment Statement
within five Business Days after the final determination of any amounts on such
Adjustment Statement, the Buyer shall pay to Seller an amount equal to the
disputed Adjustment Amount as finally determined to be payable with respect to
such Adjustment Statement. All Adjustment Statement payments shall be less the
Estimated Adjustment Amount; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such amount shall be
less than zero then the Seller will pay to the Buyer the amount by which such
amount is less than zero. Any amount paid under this Section 3.2(c) shall be
paid with interest for the period commencing on the Closing Date through the
date of payment, calculated at the Prime Rate in effect on the Closing Date, and
in cash by federal or other wire transfer of immediately available funds.

     II.3_ ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE. The Buyer and the Seller agree upon the
allocation among the Purchased Assets of the sum of the Purchase Price and the
Assumed Obligations set forth on SCHEDULE 3.3, which is consistent with Section
1060 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. Each of the Buyer and
the Seller shall report the transactions contemplated by the Agreement for
federal Income Tax and all other tax purposes in a manner consistent with the
allocation determined pursuant to this Section 3.3. Each of the Buyer and the
Seller agree to provide the other promptly with any other information required
to complete Form 8594. Each of the Buyer and the Seller shall notify and provide
the other with reasonable assistance in the event of an examination, audit or
other proceeding regarding the agreed upon allocation of the Purchase Price.

     II.4_ PRORATION. (a) The Buyer and the Seller agree that all of the items
normally prorated, including those listed below, relating to the Business or the
Purchased Assets will be prorated as of the Closing Date, with the Seller liable
to the extent such items relate to any time period through the Closing Date, and
the Buyer liable to the extent such items relate to periods subsequent to the
Closing Date:

                               (i) personal  property,  real estate,  occupancy,
sewerage and water taxes, assessments and other similar charges, including sewer
rents and charges for water, telephone, electricity and other utilities;

                               (ii)the amount of any  agricultural  tax  savings
accrued as of the Closing Date which would be subject to recoupment if the Real
Estate were converted to a non-agricultural use (whether or not such conversion
actually occurs);

                               (iii) all other  items  payable by or to the
Seller under any of the Seller' s Agreements assigned to and assumed by the
Buyer hereunder;

                                   11) any permit, license, registration,
           compliance assurance fees or other fees with respect to any
           Transferable Permits; and

                                   12) rent under any leases of real or personal
           property.

Parent or its designee shall pay Seller at the Closing an amount equal to the
present value as at the Closing Date, computed by using a discount rate of 8.5%,
of the 15-year benefit to the Buyer of the October 1999, March 2000, and June
2000 payments of excise taxes that Seller has made on the gross receipts


<PAGE>

of the Business (the "PREPAID EXCISE TAXES") to the extent that those taxes have
not been applied as a credit against the excise tax for periods on or after May
1, 2000 pursuant to Section 5727.29(B) of the Ohio Revised Code; notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Seller shall not receive such amount with respect to Prepaid
Excise Taxes which are refundable to Seller and not creditable under Section
5727.29(B).


<PAGE>

                               13) In connection with any real estate tax
prorations including special assessments, Seller shall credit to Buyer an amount
equal to the amount of the next real estate tax installment multiplied by the
number of days from the date of the immediately preceding semi-annual
installment (June 30 or December 31) to the Closing Date. In connection with any
other prorations, in the event that actual figures are not available at the
Closing Date, the proration shall be based upon the actual valuations or fees
for the preceding year (or appropriate period) for which actual valuations or
fees are available. All prorations shall be based upon the most recent available
tax rates, assessments and valuations.

                    14) Such taxes, assessments, valuations or fees shall be
reprorated upon request of either the Seller or the Buyer made within 60 days of
the date that the actual amounts become available. The Seller and the Buyer
agree to furnish each other with such documents and other records as may be
reasonably requested in order to confirm all adjustment and proration
calculations made pursuant to this Section 3.4.

                    15) If and to the extent the provisions of this Section 3.4
(other than the provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.4(a))do not result
in Seller being responsible for taxes attributable to the period of time through
the Closing Date, or in Buyer being responsible for taxes attributable to the
period after the Closing Date, then, in that event, Seller and Buyer agree that
Seller will be responsible for taxes attributable to periods through the Closing
Date, and Buyer will be responsible for taxes attributable to periods after the
Closing Date, and Seller and Buyer will indemnify and hold each other harmless
with respect to those amounts.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                   THE CLOSING

     III.1_ TIME AND PLACE OF CLOSING. Upon the terms and subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions contained in Article VIII of this Agreement, the
closing of the sale of the Purchased Assets contemplated by this Agreement (the
"CLOSING") will take place at such place as is mutually agreeable to the parties
beginning at 10:00 A.M. (local time) on the last Business Day of the month
following the day that is 5 Business Days after the date on which the conditions
set forth in Article VIII have been satisfied or waived; or at such other place
or time as the parties may agree. The date and time at which the Closing
actually occurs is hereinafter referred to as the "CLOSING DATE."

     III.2_ PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. Upon the terms and subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions contained in this Agreement, in consideration of
the aforesaid sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of the
Purchased Assets, the Buyer will pay or cause to be paid to the Seller at the
Closing an amount (the "ESTIMATED PURCHASE PRICE") in United States dollars
equal to the sum of (a) the Base Price, PLUS or MINUS (b) the Estimated
Adjustment Amount, by wire transfer of immediately available funds or by such
other means as are agreed upon by the Seller and the Buyer. Seller and Buyer
shall cooperate to reconcile any differences and shall mutually agree upon the
calculation of the Estimated Purchase Price within two Business Days prior to
Closing.


<PAGE>

     III.3_ DELIVERIES BY THE SELLER. At or prior to the Closing, the Seller
will deliver the following to the Buyer:

          (a) the Bill of Sale, duly executed by the Seller for the personal
property included in the Purchased Assets;

          (b) all consents, waivers or approvals obtained by the Seller with
respect to the Purchased Assets, the transfer of any Transferable Permit, or the
consummation of the transactions connected to the sale of the Purchased Assets,
contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent specifically required hereunder;

          16) a certificate (as contemplated by Section 8.2);

          (c) one or more deeds of conveyance of the Real Estate consisting of
fee interests, to the Buyer, in substantially the form of the Limited Warranty
Deed, duly executed and acknowledged by the Seller and in recordable form and
one or more instruments of assignment or conveyance as shall be necessary to
transfer the Gas Easements and the Shared Easements pursuant to Section 7.4(b);

          (d) all such other instruments of assignment or conveyance as shall,
in the reasonable opinion of the Buyer and its counsel, be necessary to transfer
to the Buyer the Purchased Assets, in accordance with this Agreement;

          17) certificates of title for certificated motor vehicles or other
titled Purchased Assets, or other evidences of the right to use Purchased
Assets, duly executed by Seller and in form reasonably satisfactory to Buyer;

          18) all terminations and releases of Encumbrances on the Purchased
Assets other than the Permitted Encumbrances;

          (e) a Noncompetition Agreement limited to the natural gas distribution
business, duly executed by Seller and in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Buyer and Seller containing the terms set forth in EXHIBIT D
hereto;

          19) a list of the customer deposits and customer advances of the
Business to be assumed by Buyer as Assumed Obligations under this Agreement as
of a date reasonably near the Closing Date to be agreed upon by Buyer and
Seller, certified as being true and complete by the Chief Financial Officer of
Seller;


<PAGE>

          20) to the extent permitted by law, a trademark license duly executed
by Seller for transitional use in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Buyer and Seller, in tandem with Number-3CHK, Inc.'s name, of the names of
"Dayton Power and Light Company," any other trade names used in the Business or
derivatives thereof (including without limitation "DPL" and "DP&L"), subject to
the right of Seller to approve the form and content of such use, for a period
ending no sooner than the later of three months following the Closing and
December 31, 2000, for the purpose of limiting customer confusion (the "LICENSE
AGREEMENT") ; and

          (f) such other agreements, documents, instruments and writings as are
required to be delivered by the Seller at or prior to the Closing Date pursuant
to this Agreement, except where failure to provide such documents would not have
a Material Adverse Effect.

     III.4_ DELIVERIES BY THE BUYER. At or prior to the Closing, the Buyer will
deliver the following to the Seller:

          (a) the Estimated Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately
available funds or such other means as are agreed upon by the Seller and the
Buyer;

          (b) the Instrument of Assumption with respect to the Assumed
Obligations, duly executed by the Buyer;

          21) a certificate (as contemplated by Section 8.3);

          (c) all such other instruments of assumption as shall, in the
reasonable opinion of the Seller and its counsel, be necessary for the Buyer to
assume the Assumed Obligations in accordance with this Agreement;

          22) if required by Section 4.3(j), a counterpart of the License
Agreement duly executed by Buyer and Parent; and

          (d) such other agreements, documents, instruments and writings as are
required to be delivered by the Buyer at or prior to the Closing Date pursuant
to this Agreement, except where the failure to deliver such agreements,
documents, instruments and writings would not materially affect Buyer's ability
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (a "BUYER MATERIAL ADVERSE
EFFECT").

     III.5_ COVENANT BY PARENT. Parent guarantees Buyer's performance of its
obligations under this Agreement. This guaranty shall be enforceable without
Seller having to proceed first against Buyer before proceeding against Parent,
and shall be effective regardless of the solvency or insolvency of Buyer, any
reorganization, merger or consolidation of Buyer, or any change in the
ownership, composition, nature, personnel or location of Buyer. In any
proceeding regarding this guaranty, Parent shall be entitled to all defenses
available to Buyer under this Agreement. This guaranty shall be irrevocable,
absolute and unconditional and shall remain in full force and effect as to
Parent until such time as Buyer's obligations shall have been performed and
satisfied in full and notwithstanding (i) any extension, renewal, settlement,
compromise, waiver or release in respect of obligations of Buyer under this
Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise, or (ii) any modification or
amendments or supplement to this Agreement.


<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER

     As an inducement to Buyer to enter into this Agreement and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby, the Seller represents and warrants to the
Buyer as follows:

     IV.1_ ORGANIZATION; QUALIFICATION. Seller is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio and
has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease, and operate the
Purchased Assets and to carry on the Business as is now being conducted. As
related to the operation of the Business, the Seller is duly qualified or
licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature
of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except in
each case in those jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or
licensed and in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

     IV.2_ AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT. The Seller has all corporate
power and authority necessary to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have
been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Seller and no
other corporate proceedings on the part of the Seller are necessary to authorize
this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Seller, and
assuming that this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the
Buyer, and subject to the receipt of the governmental consents and approvals
required to be obtained pursuant to Section 8.1(c), constitutes a valid and
binding agreement of the Seller, enforceable against the Seller in accordance
with its terms, except that such enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating
to enforcement of creditors' rights generally or general principles of equity.


<PAGE>

     IV.3_ CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATION. (a) Except as set forth in
SCHEDULE 5.3, and other than obtaining the governmental consents and approvals
required to be obtained pursuant to Section 8.1(c), neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Seller nor the sale by the Seller of the
Purchased Assets pursuant to this Agreement will (i) conflict with or result in
any breach of any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Code of
Regulation of the Seller, (ii) require any consent, approval, authorization or
permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except
(A) where the failure to obtain such consent, approval, authorization or permit,
or to make such filing or notification, would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or prevent or materially delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (B) for those
requirements which become applicable to the Seller as a result of the specific
regulatory status of the Buyer (or any of its Affiliates) or as a result of any
other facts that specifically relate to the business or activities in which the
Buyer (or any of its Affiliates) is or proposes to be engaged; (iii) result in a
default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration)
under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, license, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the
Seller is a party or by which the Seller or any of the Purchased Assets may be
bound, except for such defaults (or rights of termination, cancellation or
acceleration) as to which requisite waivers or consents have been obtained or
which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect or prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; or (iv) violate any order, writ, injunction,
decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Seller, or any of its
assets, which violation, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material
Adverse Effect.

          (b) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 5.3 and except for (i) any
required approvals by the PUCO, (ii) the approval, if required, of the SEC
pursuant to the Holding Company Act and (iii) the filings by the Seller and the
Buyer required by the HSR Act and the expiration or earlier termination of all
waiting periods under the HSR Act (the filings and approvals referred to in
clauses (i) through (iii) are collectively referred to as the "SELLER REQUIRED
REGULATORY APPROVALS"), no declaration, filing or registration with, or notice
to, or authorization, consent or approval of any Governmental Entity is
necessary for the consummation by the Seller of the transactions contemplated
hereby, other than such declarations, filings, registrations, notices,
authorizations, consents or approvals which, if not obtained or made, will not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or prevent or
materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

     IV.4_ REPORTS. Since January 1, 1998, the Seller has filed or caused to be
filed with the SEC and PUCO all material forms, statements, reports and
documents (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) required
to be filed by it with respect to the business and operations of the Seller as
it relates to the Business and the Purchased Assets under each of the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act, the applicable Ohio public utility laws, and the Holding
Company Act and the respective rules and regulations thereunder, all of which
complied in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the
appropriate act and the rules and regulations thereunder in effect on the date
each such report was filed.


<PAGE>

     IV.5_ SELLER REPORTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Seller has delivered to the
Buyer (a) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1998 and (b) the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC
for any quarterly period ending subsequent to December 31, 1998 and prior to the
date hereof, each in the form (including exhibits, annexes and any amendments
thereto) filed with the SEC (collectively, including any amendments to such
reports, the "SELLER REPORTS"). As of their respective dates (or, if amended, as
of the date of such amendment), insofar as the Seller Reports relate to the
Business or the Purchased Assets, the Seller Reports did not, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. With respect to the
financial information expressly identified as relating to the Business or the
Purchased Assets, each of the consolidated balance sheets included in or
incorporated by reference into the Seller Reports (including any related notes
and schedules) has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, consistently applied ("GAAP"), and fairly presents the
consolidated financial position of the Seller and its subsidiaries as of its
date and each of the consolidated statements of income and cash flow included in
or incorporated by reference into the Seller Reports (including any related
notes and schedules) has been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly
presents the results of operations, retained earnings and cash flow, as the case
may be, of the Seller and its subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein
(subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to notes and normal year-end
audit adjustments), in each case in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied during the periods involved, except
as may be noted therein.

     IV.6_ NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 5.6 or in
the Seller Reports, or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, since the
end of the quarter for which the Company's most recent Form 10-Q (the "LATEST
FORM 10-Q") has been filed prior to the date hereof and until the date hereof,
there has been no fact, circumstance or event existing or occurring which,
either individually or in the aggregate, has had a Material Adverse Effect and,
except as otherwise disclosed herein or set forth in SCHEDULE 5.6 (i) the
Business has been operated in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, (ii) except in a manner consistent with the gas capital forecast
which has been provided to Buyer, Seller has not made any material capital
expenditures or commitments therefor with respect to the Purchased Assets and
(iii) there has not been any liability created or incurred which Buyer will
assume under the Instrument of Assumption other than liabilities created or
incurred in the ordinary course of business and in amounts not unusual in
respect of the Business as customarily conducted.

     IV.7_ TITLE TO ASSETS. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 5.7 and except for
Permitted Encumbrances, the Seller has good and marketable title to all
Purchased Assets used in and material to the operation of the Business which it
purports to own that are reflected in the Latest Form 10-Q (other than those
which have been disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary course of
business), free and clear of all Encumbrances. The Purchased Assets together
with the easements and similar assets to be conveyed and shared as provided in
Section 7.4(b) and together with the access to other assets of Seller through
the provision of transition services as provided in Section 7.13 and access to
the books and records as provided in Section 7.2 and the License Agreement
constitute all of the assets necessary to continue the operations of the
Business after Closing as is presently conducted, except for those described in
SCHEDULE 5.7. Except as would not have a Material Adverse


<PAGE>

Effect, all of the tangible Purchased Assets are in good and operable condition,
normal wear and tear excepted.

     IV.8_ LEASES. SCHEDULE 5.8 lists, as of the date of this Agreement, all
real property leases under which the Seller is a lessee or lessor and which (a)
are to be transferred and assigned to the Buyer on the Closing Date and (b)
which relate exclusively to the Business or the Purchased Assets and either (i)
provide for annual payments of more than $500,000 or (ii) are material to the
business, operations or financial condition of the Business or the Purchased
Assets taken as a whole, and, except as set forth in SCHEDULE 5.8, all such
leases are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and
are in full force and effect.

     IV.9_ ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed in SCHEDULE 5.9 or in any
of the Seller's Reports:


<PAGE>

          (a) The Seller holds, and is, and has been, in compliance with, all
material permits, licenses and governmental authorizations required for the
Seller to conduct the Business under applicable Environmental Laws
("ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS"), and the Seller is otherwise in compliance with
applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the Business and the Purchased
Assets except for such failures to hold or comply with required Environmental
Permits, or such failures to be in compliance with applicable Environmental
Laws, which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse
Effect and to the Seller's Knowledge there is no condition that would reasonably
be expected to materially prevent or interfere with such compliance in the
future;

          (b) The Seller has not received any written request for information,
or been notified that it is a potentially responsible party, under CERCLA or any
similar State law with respect to the Business or the Purchased Assets, except
for such liability under such laws as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

          (c) The Seller has not entered into or agreed to any consent decree or
order, or other binding agreement and is not subject to any outstanding
judgment, decree, or judicial or administrative order relating to compliance
with or liability under any Environmental Law or to investigation or cleanup of
Hazardous Substances under any Environmental Law relating to the Business or the
Purchased Assets where any of the foregoing would, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

          23) There are no claims, actions, proceedings or investigations under
or relating to Environmental Laws pending or, to the Seller's Knowledge,
threatened against or relating to the Seller, the Purchased Assets, or the
Business which would not, individually or in the aggregate have a Material
Adverse Effect; and

          24) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect, Hazardous Substances have not been generated,
transported, treated, stored, disposed of, arranged to be disposed of Released
or threatened to be Released at, on, from or under any of the Purchased Assets
or otherwise in connection with the Business, in violation of, or in a manner or
to a location that would give rise to liability under or relating to any
Environmental Laws.

The representations and warranties made in this Section 5.9 are the Seller's
exclusive representations and warranties relating to environmental matters.


<PAGE>

     IV.10_ LABOR MATTERS. The Seller has previously delivered to the Buyer
copies of all collective bargaining agreements to which the Seller is a party or
is subject as of the date hereof and which relate to the operation of the
Business. Except to the extent set forth in SCHEDULE 5.10 and except for such
matters as will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect, (a) the Seller is in compliance with all laws applicable to the Business
Employees respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions
of employment and wages and hours; (b) the Seller has not received written
notice of any unfair labor practice complaint against the Seller pending before
the National Labor Relations Board with respect to any of the Business
Employees; (c) the Seller has not received notice that any representation
petition respecting the Business Employees has been filed with the National
Labor Relations Board; and (d) no arbitration proceeding arising out of or under
the Collective Bargaining Agreement is pending against the Seller. Except as
provided in Section 7.10, there are no employment, severance or change in
control agreements or contracts with any Business Employee (as such term is
defined in Section 7.10(a)) for which Buyer would have any liability.

     IV.11_ ERISA; BENEFIT PLANS. (a) SCHEDULE 5.11 lists each employee benefit
plan (as such term is defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) and each other material
employee benefit plan, program or arrangement maintained, contributed to, or
required to be contributed to, by the Seller as of the date hereof on account of
current or former employees of the Business (each, a "BENEFIT PLAN").

          (b) Each Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under section
401(a) of the Code has received a determination from the Internal Revenue
Service that such Benefit Plan is so qualified, and nothing has occurred since
the date of such determination that would adversely affect the qualified status
of such Benefit Plan.

          (c) Each Benefit Plan has been maintained, funded, and administered in
material compliance with its terms, the terms of any applicable collective
bargaining agreements, and all applicable laws including, but not limited to,
ERISA and the Code. There is no "accumulated funding deficiency" within the
meaning of section 412 of the Code with respect to any Benefit Plan which is an
"employee pension benefit plan" as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA. Seller has
no obligation to contribute to or any other liability under or with respect to
any multiemployer plan (as such term is defined in section 3(37) of ERISA) with
respect to any employee of the Business. Neither Seller nor any ERISA Affiliate
has any liability or potential liability under Title IV of ERISA or to the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation that could become a liability of the Buyer.

          (d) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 5.11, Seller has no obligation to
provide medical or life insurance benefits to any current or future retired or
former employee of the Business other than pursuant to Part 6 of Subtitle B of
Title I of ERISA.

          (e) Neither Seller nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains a plan which
would be reasonably likely to result in the payment to any employee or former
employee of Seller by Buyer of any money or other property or rights or
accelerate or provide any other rights or benefits to any employee or former
employee of the Company as a result of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, whether or not such payment would constitute a parachute payment
within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.


<PAGE>

     IV.12_ CERTAIN CONTRACTS AND ARRANGEMENTS. Except for contracts,
agreements, personal property leases, commitments, understandings or instruments
which (a) are listed in SCHEDULE 5.8 or SCHEDULE 5.12, or (b) have been entered
into in the ordinary course of business and do not involve obligations in excess
of $500,000 individually, the Seller is not, as of the date hereof, a party to
any written contract, agreement, personal property lease, commitment,
understanding or instrument which is material to the Business or the Purchased
Assets. Except as disclosed in SCHEDULE 5.12, each of the Transportation
Agreements and each material Seller's Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of Seller and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the other
parties thereto, is in full force and effect, and may be transferred to the
Buyer pursuant to this Agreement and will continue in full force and effect
thereafter, in each case without breaching the terms thereof or resulting in the
forfeiture or impairment of any rights thereunder, except in those instances
where the failure to transfer the same to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect
(without giving effect to clause (d) thereof). Seller has fulfilled and
performed its obligations under each such Transportation Agreements and each
material Seller's Agreement, and is not in breach or default under, and has not
received notice that it is in breach or default under, any of such agreement,
except for such breaches of defaults as to which requisite waivers or consents
have been obtained or which would not have a Material Adverse Effect or prevent
or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 5.12, (i) no Transportation Agreement
and (ii) no Seller's Agreement involving obligations in excess of $500,000 has
been modified or otherwise amended or, other than pursuant to its terms,
terminated, extended or renewed since the date such agreement was made available
to Parent and Buyer for inspection in the data room or otherwise in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and up to the date hereof.

     IV.13_ LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND JUDGMENTS. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE
5.13 or in the Seller's Reports, there are no claims, actions, proceedings or
investigations pending or threatened against or relating to the Seller before
any court or other Governmental Entity acting in an adjudicative capacity, which
individually or in the aggregate would have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as
set forth in SCHEDULE 5.13 or in the Seller's Reports, the Seller is not subject
to any outstanding judgment, rule, order, writ, injunction or decree of any
court or other Governmental Entity which, individually or in the aggregate,
would have a Material Adverse Effect.

     IV.14_ PERMITS. The Seller has all permits, licenses, franchises and other
governmental authorizations, consents and approvals, other than with respect to
Environmental Laws which are addressed in Section 5.9 (collectively, "PERMITS")
necessary for the operation of the Business as presently conducted, except where
the failure to have such Permits would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect. SCHEDULE 5.14 sets forth a list of all material
Permits and Environmental Permits held by Seller as of the date hereof and
necessary for the operation of the Business as presently conducted.

     IV.15_ COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Seller is in compliance with all Permits,
laws, statutes, orders, rules, regulations, ordinances, or judgments of any
Governmental Entity applicable to it, except for violations which, individually
or in the aggregate, do not have a Material Adverse Effect.


<PAGE>

     IV.16_ TAXES. All material Tax Returns relating to the Business or the
Purchased Assets required to be filed by or on behalf of the Seller have been
filed in a timely manner, and all material Taxes shown to be due on such Tax
Returns have been paid in full, except to the extent being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings. None of the Purchased Assets is (A) an asset
or property that is or will be required to be treated as described in Section
168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as in effect immediately before
the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, or (B) tax-exempt use property
within the meaning of Section 168(h)(1) of the Code.

     IV.17_ REGULATION AS A UTILITY. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 5.17, the
Seller is not subject to regulation as a public utility or public service
company (or similar designation) by the United States, any state of the United
States, any foreign country or any municipality or any political subdivision of
the foregoing.

                    YEAR 2000 COMPLIANT. The Year 2000 Problem will not
          materially affect the provision of transition services to Buyer as
          provided in Section 7.13.

                    INVENTORY. All inventory of Seller reflected on the Balance
          Sheet or acquired since June 30, 1999, was acquired and has been
          maintained in the ordinary course of Business.

                    BUSINESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Seller has delivered to Buyer
          the Balance Sheet, which has been prepared by the financial and
          accounting staff of Seller. The Balance Sheet presents fairly, in all
          material respects, the Purchased Assets and Assumed Obligations as of
          June 30, 1999.

                                    ARTICLE V
             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT AND BUYER

     As an inducement to Seller to enter this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, the Parent and the Buyer represents and
warrants to the Seller as follows:

     V.1_ ORGANIZATION. The Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio and has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
and to carry on its business as is now being conducted. Parent is a corporation
duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Indiana and
has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as is now being conducted.

     V.2_ AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT. The Buyer and Parent have full
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have
been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Buyer and
Parent and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Buyer or Parent are
necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by the Parent and Buyer, and assuming that this Agreement constitutes
a valid and binding agreement of the Seller, and subject to the receipt of the
governmental consents and approvals required to be obtained pursuant to Section
8.1(c), constitutes a valid and binding agreement


<PAGE>

of the Parent and Buyer, enforceable against the Parent and Buyer in accordance
with its terms, except that such enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating
to enforcement of creditors' rights generally or general principles of equity.


<PAGE>

     V.3_ CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATION. (a) Except as set forth in
SCHEDULE 6.3, and other than obtaining the governmental consents and approvals
required to be obtained pursuant to Section 8.1(c), neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Buyer and Parent nor the purchase by the Buyer
of the Purchased Assets and the assumption by the Buyer of the Assumed
Obligations pursuant to this Agreement will (i) conflict with or result in any
breach of any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws (or other
similar governing documents) of the Buyer or Parent, (ii) require any consent,
approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any
Governmental Entity, (iii) result in a default (or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration) under any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any material note, bond, mortgage, indenture, agreement, lease or
other instrument or obligation to which the Buyer, Parent or any of its other
Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective assets may be bound,
except for such defaults (or rights of termination, cancellation or
acceleration) as to which requisite waivers or consents have been obtained, and
except for such breaches or defaults that would not have a Buyer Material
Adverse Effect.

          (b) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 6.3 and except for (i) PUCO
approval necessary for the Seller to transfer the Purchased Assets and for the
Buyer to purchase the Purchased Assets, (ii) the approval, if required, of the
SEC pursuant to the Holding Company Act and (iii) the filings by the Buyer,
Parent and the Seller required by the HSR Act (the filings and approvals
referred to in clauses (i)through (iii) are collectively referred to as the
"BUYER REQUIRED REGULATORY APPROVALS"), no declaration, filing or registration
with, or notice to, or authorization, consent or approval of any Governmental
Entity is necessary for the consummation by the Buyer and Parent of the
transactions contemplated hereby, except for such consents, approval, orders or
authorizations, licenses or permits, filings or notices the failure of which to
obtain or make would not have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect.

     V.4_ REGULATION AS A UTILITY. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 6.4, neither
the Buyer nor Parent is subject to regulation as a public utility or public
service company by the United States, any State of the United States, any
foreign country or any municipality or any political subdivision of the
foregoing.

     V.5_ AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. Upon receipt of the commitment referred to in
Section 7.14, the Buyer will have sufficient funds available to it on the
Closing Date to pay the Purchase Price.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                            COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES


<PAGE>

     VI.1_ CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. (a) Except as described in SCHEDULE 7.1, during
the period from the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date, the Seller will
operate the Purchased Assets and the Business in the usual, regular and ordinary
course consistent with Good Utility Practice and shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to preserve intact the Business, and endeavor to preserve the
goodwill and relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business
dealings with the Business. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
and, except as contemplated in this Agreement or as described in SCHEDULE 7.1,
prior to the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of the Buyer, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld, the Seller will not with respect to the
Purchased Assets or the Business:

                    (i) except for Permitted Encumbrances, create, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any Encumbrance upon the Purchased Assets;

                              25) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become
          directly liable or responsible (whether directly or indirectly,
          contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any Person;

                    (ii) make any material change in the levels of storage
inventory customarily maintained by the Seller with respect to the Business,
other than consistent with Good Utility Practice;

                    (iii) sell, lease (as lessor), transfer or otherwise dispose
of, any of the Purchased Assets, other than in the ordinary course of business;

                              26) other than in the ordinary course of business
          and except as provided in Subsections 7.1(a)(xii) and 7.1(a)(xiii),
          terminate, extend, renew or otherwise amend any of the Transportation
          Agreements and material Seller's Agreements or waive any material
          default by, or release, settle or compromise any material claim
          against, any other party thereto;

                              27) grant severance or termination pay to any
          present or former director, officer or employee primarily engaged in
          the Business which would be the responsibility of the Buyer;

                              28) make any filing with any Governmental Entity
          to change its rates or contracts relating to the Business or consent
          to any change by any Governmental Entity in the methodology used to
          compute any purchased gas adjustment applied in the normal course
          consistent with prior practice if doing so would have a Material
          Adverse Effect;

                              29) enter into any collective bargaining agreement
          in which the terms and conditions applicable to New Buyer Employees
          materially differ from those applicable to Seller employees, except
          where such differences are appropriate based upon job classifications
          or seniority;

                              30) grant any increase in the compensation of or
          grant or agree to any bonus for officers or employees not covered by
          collective bargaining who will become New Buyer Employees, except for
          increases and bonuses (A) in the ordinary course of business and
          consistent with past practice, or (B) as required by any Benefit Plan
          (as defined in Section 5.11(a));


<PAGE>

                              31) consistent with Good Utility Practice, deviate
          materially from prior experience and Seller's gas capital forecast
          provided to Buyer in making expenditures for capital investments
          relating to the Business;

                    (iv) enter into any written or oral contract, agreement,
commitment or arrangement with respect to any of the transactions set forth in
the foregoing paragraphs (i) through (xi);

                              32) terminate, modify, extend, renew or otherwise
          amend, or permit pursuant to its terms to be amended, terminated,
          extended or renewed, any Transportation Agreement set forth under the
          heading "Transportation Agreements/Firm" on Schedule 5.12; provided,
          that, if such action is taken with the consent of Parent and the
          Buyer, then all of the benefits and obligations arising from that
          action will be apportioned equitably between Seller and Buyer such
          that the benefits and obligations attributable to Buyer and Seller
          relate to the period of time that the Business is owned by Buyer or
          Seller during the time that such Transportation Agreement, as
          modified, extended, renewed or otherwise amended, is in effect; or

                              33) modify, extend, renew or otherwise amend the
          Egan Firm Storage Service Agreement dated September 1, 1997 set forth
          on Schedule 5.12 under the heading "Transportation Agreements", except
          that Seller may renew this agreement for a term not in excess of one
          year from the date of such extension and at such prices and on such
          terms and conditions that are substantially comparable to the existing
          prices, terms and conditions of such agreement.

                    (b0 A committee comprised of one Person designated by the
Seller and one Person designated by the Buyer, and such additional Persons as
may be appointed by the Persons originally appointed to such committee (the
"TRANSITION COMMITTEE") will be established as soon after execution of this
Agreement as is practicable to examine the transition issues affecting the
Purchased Assets and the Business after the date hereof, giving emphasis to
cooperation between the Buyer and the Seller after the execution of this
Agreement. From time to time, the Transition Committee shall report its findings
to the senior management of each of the Seller and the Buyer.


<PAGE>

     VI.2_ ACCESS TO INFORMATION. (a) Between the date of this Agreement and the
Closing Date, the Seller will, during ordinary business hours and upon
reasonable notice (i) give the Buyer and the Buyer Representatives reasonable
access to all books, records, plants, offices and other facilities and
properties constituting the Purchased Assets to which the Buyer is not denied
access by law; (ii) permit the Buyer to make such reasonable inspections thereof
as the Buyer may reasonably request; (iii) furnish the Buyer with such financial
and operating data and other information with respect to the Business as the
Buyer may from time to time reasonably request; (iv) furnish the Buyer a copy of
each material report, schedule or other document filed or received by the Seller
with respect to the Business with the SEC or PUCO; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (A)
any such investigation shall be conducted in such a manner as not to interfere
unreasonably with the operation of the Business, (B) the Seller shall not be
required to take any action which would constitute a waiver of the
attorney-client privilege and (C) the Seller need not supply the Buyer with any
information which the Seller is under a legal obligation not to supply.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 7.2 to the contrary, (i) the Buyer
shall not have access to Transferring Employee Records and personnel and medical
records, which in the Seller's good faith judgment is sensitive or the
disclosure of which could subject the Seller to risk of liability and (ii) the
Buyer shall not have the right to perform or conduct any environmental sampling
or testing at, in, on, or underneath any of the Purchased Assets.

                    (b) The Buyer, Parent and Seller acknowledge that each is
subject to the Confidentiality Agreement. All information furnished to or
obtained by the Buyer or Parent and the Buyer Representatives pursuant to this
Section 7.2 shall be subject to the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement
and shall be treated as Evaluation Material for all purposes of the
Confidentiality Agreement.

                    (c) For a period of ten years after the Closing Date, each
party and their representatives shall have reasonable access to all of the books
and records relating to the Business or the Purchased Assets, including all
Transferring Employee Records or other personnel and medical records required by
law, legal process or subpoena, in the possession of the other party to the
extent that such access may reasonably be required by such party in connection
with the Assumed Obligations or the Excluded Liabilities, or other matters
relating to or affected by the operation of the Business and the Purchased
Assets. Such access shall be afforded by the party in possession of such books
and records upon receipt of reasonable advance notice and during normal business
hours; provided, however, that (A) any such investigation shall be conducted in
such a manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the operation of the
business of any party or its affiliates, (B) no party shall be required to take
any action which would constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege and
(C) no party need supply the other party with any information which such party
is under a legal obligation not to supply. The party exercising this right of
access shall be solely responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by it
pursuant to this Section 7.2(c). If the party in possession of such books and
records shall desire to dispose of any such books and records upon or prior to
the expiration of such ten-year period, such party shall, prior to such
disposition, give the other party a reasonable opportunity at such other party's
expense, to segregate and remove such books and records as such other party may
select.

                    (d) The Seller agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts
not to release any Person (other than the Buyer) from any confidentiality

<PAGE>

agreement now existing with respect to the Purchased Assets, or waive or amend
any provision thereof.


<PAGE>

                    (e) Except as required by law or legal process, unless
otherwise agreed to in writing by the Buyer, for a period commencing on the
Closing Date and terminating three years after such date, the Seller shall agree
(i) to keep all Evaluation Material relating exclusively to the Business or the
Purchased Assets confidential and not disclose or reveal any such Evaluation
Material to any Person other than Seller's Representatives who are actively and
directly participating in the transactions contemplated hereby or who otherwise
need to know such Evaluation Material for such purpose and to cause those
Persons to observe the terms of this Section 7.2(e) and (ii) not to use
Evaluation Material relating exclusively to the Business or the Purchased Assets
for any purpose other than consistent with the terms of this Agreement or in
connection with its other business operations. The Seller shall continue to hold
all Evaluation Material relating exclusively to the Business or the Purchased
Assets according to the same internal security procedures and with the same
degree of care regarding its secrecy and confidentiality as currently applicable
thereto. The Seller shall notify the Buyer of any unauthorized disclosure of any
Evaluation Material relating exclusively to the Business or the Purchased Assets
to third parties that it discovers, and shall endeavor to prevent any further
such disclosures. The Seller shall be responsible for any breach of the terms of
this Section 7.2(e) by the Seller or the Seller's Representatives. After the
Closing Date, in the event that the Seller is requested pursuant to, or required
by, applicable law or regulation or by legal process to disclose any Evaluation
Material relating exclusively to the Business or the Purchased Assets, or any
other information concerning the Business or the Purchased Assets, or the
transactions contemplated hereby, the Seller shall provide the Buyer with prompt
notice of such request or requirement in order to enable the Buyer to seek an
appropriate protective order or other remedy, to consult with the Seller with
respect to taking steps to resist or narrow the scope of such request or legal
process (it being understood that any such efforts to seek a protective order or
other remedy or to resist or narrow the scope of such request or legal process
shall be at the sole cost and expense of the Buyer), or to waive compliance, in
whole or in part, with the terms of this Section 7.2(e). The Seller agrees not
to oppose any action by the Buyer to obtain any such protective order or other
appropriate remedy after the Closing Date. In the event that no such protective
order or other remedy is obtained, or that the Buyer waives compliance with the
terms of this Section 7.2(e), the Seller shall furnish only that portion of the
Evaluation Material relating exclusively to the Business or the Purchased Assets
which the Seller is advised by its counsel is legally required. In any such
event the Seller shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that
all such Evaluation Material and other information that is so disclosed will be
accorded confidential treatment.

     VI.3_ EXPENSES. Except to the extent specifically provided herein, whether
or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be borne by the party incurring such costs and
expenses.

     VI.4_ FURTHER ASSURANCES. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, each of the parties hereto will use commercially reasonable efforts
to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and to do, or cause to be done, all
things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to
consummate and make effective the sale of the Purchased Assets pursuant to this
Agreement, including without limitation using commercially reasonable efforts to
ensure satisfaction of the conditions precedent to each party's obligations
hereunder. Neither of the parties hereto will, without prior written consent of
the other party, take any action which would


<PAGE>

reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. From time to time on or after
the Closing Date, the Seller will, at its own expense, execute and deliver such
documents to the Buyer as the Buyer may reasonably request in order to more
effectively vest in the Buyer the Seller's title to the Purchased Assets subject
to Permitted Encumbrances and SCHEDULE 5.7. From time to time after the date
hereof, the Buyer will, at its own expense, execute and deliver such documents
to the Seller as the Seller may reasonably request in order to more effectively
consummate the sale of the Purchased Assets and the assumption of the Assumed
Obligations pursuant to this Agreement.


<PAGE>

                    (b) In the event that any Purchased Asset shall not have
been conveyed to the Buyer at the Closing, the Seller shall, subject to Section
7.4(c), use commercially reasonable efforts to convey such asset to the Buyer as
promptly as is practicable after the Closing. Seller has easements, license
agreements, rights of way and leases for rights of way, some of which relate
solely to the Business and Purchased Assets ("GAS EASEMENTS") and others of
which relate to both the Business and Purchased Assets and Seller's other
businesses ("SHARED EASEMENTS"). At the Closing, Seller will convey and assign
to Buyer by appropriate instrument, subject to the obtaining of any necessary
consents, all Gas Easements and rights under the Shared Easements to permit the
Buyer to use the same in the Business on an exclusive basis and for other
purposes on a nonexclusive basis. Buyer shall not use or permit others to use it
rights under any Shared Easement for the transmission or distribution of
electric energy or any use that adversely affects Seller's, it affiliates',
successors' or assigns' ability to use the easement for the transmission or
distribution of electric energy. In the event that any such asset required by
Seller for operation of its Electric Business or other businesses and not
required by Buyer for the operation of the Business shall not have been retained
by the Seller after the Closing, the Buyer shall use its commercially reasonable
efforts to convey the use of such asset to the Seller as promptly as is
practicable after the Closing.

                    (c) To the extent that the Seller's rights under any
Seller's Agreement may not be assigned without the consent of another Person
which consent has not been obtained, this Agreement shall not constitute an
agreement to assign the same if an attempted assignment would constitute a
breach thereof or be unlawful and the Seller shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts (without being required to make any payment to any third
party or to incur any economic burden) to obtain any such required consent(s) as
promptly as possible unless failure to obtain such consent would individually or
in the aggregate not have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Buyer agrees to
cooperate with the Seller in its efforts to obtain any such consent (including
the submission of such financial or other information concerning the Buyer and
the execution of any assumption agreements or similar documents reasonably
requested by a third party) without being required to make any payment to any
third party or to incur any economic burden. The Seller and the Buyer agree that
if any consent to an assignment of any Seller's Agreement shall not be obtained
or if any attempted assignment would be ineffective or would impair the Buyer's
rights and obligations under the Seller's Agreement in question so that the
Buyer would not in effect acquire the benefit of all such rights and
obligations, the Seller, to the maximum extent permitted by law and such
Seller's Agreement, shall after the Closing, unless the Seller elects to comply
with Section 7.4(d) hereof, appoint the Buyer to be the Seller's representative
and agent with respect to such Seller's Agreement, and the Seller shall, to the
maximum extent permitted by law and such Seller's Agreement, enter into such
reasonable arrangements with the Buyer as are necessary to provide the Buyer
with the benefits and obligations of such Seller's Agreement. The Seller and the
Buyer shall cooperate and shall each use their commercially reasonable efforts
after the Closing to obtain an assignment of such Seller's Agreement to the
Buyer.


<PAGE>

                    (d) To the extent that any personal property lease, relating
to any assets which constitute a portion of the Purchased Assets cannot be
assigned to the Buyer or are not subject to arrangements described in Section
7.4(c), the Seller will use its commercially reasonable efforts to acquire the
assets relating to such lease and to include them in the Purchased Assets before
the Closing Date.

     VI.5_ PUBLIC STATEMENTS. The parties shall consult with each other prior to
issuing any public announcement, statement or other disclosure with respect to
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any
such public announcement, statement or other disclosure prior to such
consultation, except as may be required by law or stock exchange rules and
except that the parties may make public announcements, statements or other
disclosures with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby to the extent and under the circumstances in which the parties are
expressly permitted by the Confidentiality Agreement to make disclosures of
Evaluation Material.

     VI.6_ CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. (a) The Seller, Parent and the Buyer shall
each file or cause to be filed with the Federal Trade Commission and the United
States Department of Justice any notifications required to be filed under the
HSR Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby. The parties shall consult with each other as
to the appropriate time of filing such notifications and shall use their best
efforts to make such filings at the agreed upon time, to respond promptly to any
requests for additional information made by either of such agencies, and to
cause the waiting periods under the HSR Act to terminate or expire at the
earliest possible date after the date of filing.

                    (b) The Seller, Parent and the Buyer shall cooperate with
each other and use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) promptly prepare and
file all necessary documentation, (ii) effect all necessary applications,
notices, petitions and filings and execute all agreements and documents, (iii)
obtain the transfer or reissuance to the Buyer of all necessary Transferable
Permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all Governmental Entities
including but not limited to taking all structural corporate actions necessary
to consummate the transaction in a timely manner and (iv) obtain all necessary
consents, approvals and authorizations of all other parties, in the case of each
of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), necessary or advisable to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without
limitation, the Seller Required Regulatory Approvals and the Buyer Required
Regulatory Approvals) or required by the terms of any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license, franchise, permit, concession, contract,
lease or other instrument to which the Seller or the Buyer is a party or by
which any of them is bound. The Seller and the Buyer each shall have the right
to review in advance all characterizations of the information relating to it or
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which appear in any filing made
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

                    (c) The Seller, Parent and the Buyer shall cooperate with
each other and promptly prepare and file notifications with, and request Tax
clearances from, state and local taxing authorities in jurisdictions in which a
portion of the Purchase Price may be required to be withheld or in which the
Buyer would otherwise be liable for any Tax liabilities of the Seller pursuant
to such state and local Tax law.


<PAGE>

     VI.7_ FEES AND COMMISSIONS. The Seller, Parent and the Buyer each represent
and warrant to the other that, except for Credit Suisse First Boston, which is
acting for and at the expense of the Seller, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, which is acting for and at the expense of the Buyer, no
broker, finder or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fees, commissions or
finder's fees in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby by reason
of any action taken by the party making such representation. The Seller and the
Buyer will pay to the other or otherwise discharge, and will indemnify and hold
the other harmless from and against, any and all claims or liabilities for all
brokerage fees, commissions and finder's fees (other than the fees, commissions
and finder's fees payable to the parties listed above) incurred by reason of any
action taken by such party.

     VI.8_ TAX MATTERS. (a) All transfer and sales taxes, including, but not
limited to, real property conveyance taxes, incurred in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be shared equally by
the Buyer and Seller (50/50), and each party, at its own expense, will file, to
the extent required by applicable law, all necessary Tax Returns and other
documentation with respect to all such transfer or sales taxes, and, if required
by applicable law, the other party will join in the execution of any such Tax
Returns or other documentation.

                    (b) With respect to Taxes to be prorated in accordance with
Section 3.4 of this Agreement only, the Buyer shall prepare and timely file all
Tax Returns required to be filed after the Closing with respect to the Purchased
Assets, if any, and shall duly and timely pay all such Taxes shown to be due on
such Tax Returns. The Buyer's preparation of any such Tax Returns shall be
subject to the Seller's approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. The Buyer shall make such Tax Returns available for the Seller's
review and approval no later than 15 Business Days prior to the due date for
filing such Tax Return. Within 10 Business Days after receipt of such Tax
Return, the Seller shall pay to the Buyer its proportionate share of the amount
shown as due on such Tax Return determined in accordance with Section 3.4 of
this Agreement.

                    (c) The Buyer and the Seller shall provide the other with
such assistance as may reasonably be requested by the other party in connection
with the preparation of any Tax Return, any audit or other examination by any
taxing authority, or any judicial or administrative proceedings relating to
liability for Taxes, and each will retain and provide the requesting party with
any records or information which may be relevant to such return, audit or
examination, proceedings or determination. Any information obtained pursuant to
this Section 7.8(c) or pursuant to any other Section hereof providing for the
sharing of information or review of any Tax Return or other schedule relating to
Taxes shall be kept confidential by the parties hereto.


<PAGE>

                    (d) The Seller will reimburse the Buyer for a percentage of
payments with respect to liabilities for real or personal property Taxes under
agreements entered into by the Seller and local governments, as set forth in
SCHEDULE 7.8 hereof, within 30 days following delivery to Seller of evidence of
such payments. With respect to real or personal property Taxes payable in
jurisdictions in which no such Tax agreements are operative and in which both
Buyer and Seller have property which is or is potentially subject to property
Tax, Buyer and Seller will cooperate in the filing of property Tax Returns with
the objective of maximizing Tax and administrative efficiency to the benefit of
both parties.

     VI.9_ SUPPLEMENTS TO SCHEDULES. Prior to the Closing Date, the Seller may
supplement or amend the Schedules furnished by it pursuant to Article V with
respect to any matter relating to the Purchased Assets or the Business. In the
event such supplements and amendments are reasonably anticipated by the parties
to give rise to adverse economic consequences to the Business or the Purchased
Assets, the Buyer may either terminate this Agreement without liability or close
the transaction (in which event any breach of any representation or warranty
made by the Seller which would otherwise exist absent such supplements and
amendments shall be deemed cured for all purposes of this Agreement); provided,
HOWEVER, that the Buyer may not terminate this Agreement if such adverse
economic consequences would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     VI.10_ EMPLOYEES. (a) The Buyer shall offer employment with substantially
the same pay and benefits, effective as of the Closing Date, to those employees
of the Seller whose job classification or function are listed on SCHEDULE 7.10
(collectively, the "BUSINESS EMPLOYEES"). Each person who becomes employed by
the Buyer pursuant to this Section 7.10 shall be referred to herein as a "NEW
BUYER EMPLOYEE"; provided, however, that it is understood and agreed that all
such employees are and will remain employees-at-will and Buyer shall not be
obligated to retain any such employees in the employment of Buyer for any
specified period of time from and after the Closing Date, other than the
employment of employees who are represented by Local No. 175 of the Utility
Workers Union of America, who shall continue in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreements or any replacements thereof;
and provided further that no person providing transition services shall be a
"New Buyer Employee".

                    (b) With respect to New Buyer Employees who are included in
the collective bargaining units covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreements
(the "UNION EMPLOYEES"), on the Closing Date and subject to Section
7.1(a)(viii), as well as approval by the affected collective bargaining units,
the Buyer will assume the Collective Bargaining Agreements as they relate to the
Union Employees and comply with all applicable obligations thereunder.

                    (c) Effective as of the Closing Date, the Seller's 401(K)
Savings Plan shall be amended to provide that effective as of the Closing Date,
all New Buyer Employees (including such employees on disability, layoff,
approved leave of absence or vacation) as of the Closing Date who have account
balances in the Seller's 401(K) Savings Plan as of the Closing Date to be fully
vested in such account balance as of the Closing Date. To the extent allowable
by law, the Buyer shall take any and all necessary action to cause the trustee
of a defined contribution plan of the Buyer or one of its Affiliates, if
requested to do so by a New Buyer Employee who is not a Union Employee
("NON-UNION EMPLOYEE"), to accept a direct "rollover" of all or a portion of
said employee's distribution (excluding securities) from the


<PAGE>

Seller's 401(k) Savings Plan unless the plan includes a joint and survivor
annuity distribution option.


<PAGE>

                    34) The Buyer shall pay to each New Buyer Employee whose
employment is terminated by the Buyer or one of its Affiliates without cause
within eighteen months of the Closing Date a severance benefit package
equivalent to that which would have been provided to such individual upon such
termination by the Seller or its Affiliates under the Seller's severance plan
had such individual remained continuously employed by the Seller or its
Affiliates and had been eligible under, and covered by, such plan on the date of
such termination.

                    (d) The Seller agrees to timely perform and discharge all
requirements under the WARN Act to the extent applicable and under applicable
state and local laws and regulations for the notification of its employees
arising from the sale of the Purchased Assets to the Buyer up to and including
the Closing Date for those employees who will become New Buyer Employees
effective as of the Closing Date. After the Closing Date, the Buyer shall be
responsible for performing and discharging all requirements under the WARN Act
and under applicable state and local laws and regulations for the notification
of its employees with respect to the Purchased Assets and the Business.

     VI.11_ RISK OF LOSS. (a) From the date hereof through the Closing Date, all
risk of loss or damage to the property included in the Purchased Assets shall be
borne by the Seller.

                    (b) If, before the Closing Date all or any portion of the
Purchased Assets are taken by eminent domain or is the subject of a pending or
(to the Seller's Knowledge) contemplated taking which has not been consummated,
the Seller shall notify the Buyer promptly in writing of such fact. If any such
taking, individually or in the aggregate, would create a Material Adverse
Effect, the Buyer and the Seller shall negotiate in good faith to settle the
loss resulting from such taking (including, without limitation, by making a fair
and equitable adjustment to the Purchase Price) and, upon such settlement,
consummate the transaction contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement.

                    (c) If, before the Closing Date all or any portion of the
Purchased Assets are damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty, the Seller
shall notify the Buyer promptly in writing of such fact. If such damage or
destruction, individually or in the aggregate, would create a Material Adverse
Effect and the Seller has not notified the Buyer of its intention to cure such
damage or destruction within 15 days after its occurrence, the Buyer and the
Seller shall negotiate in good faith to settle the loss resulting from such
casualty (including, without limitation, by making a fair and equitable
adjustment to the Purchase Price) and, upon such settlement, consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.


<PAGE>

                    LITIGATION SUPPORT. In the event and for so long as any
          party is actively contesting or defending against any action, suit,
          proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim, or
          demand in connection with (i) any transaction contemplated under this
          Agreement or (ii) any fact, situation, circumstance, status,
          condition, activity, practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident,
          action, failure to act, or transaction on or prior to the Closing Date
          involving the Seller, the other party will cooperate with the
          contesting or defending party and its counsel in the contest or
          defense, make available its personnel, and provide such testimony and
          access to its books and records as shall be reasonably necessary in
          connection with the contest or defense, all at the sole cost and
          expense of the contesting or defending party (unless the contesting or
          defending party is entitled to indemnification therefor under Section
          9.1 hereof).

                    TRANSITION SERVICES. The Seller will provide and the Buyer
          will be obligated to take the Transition Services (the "TRANSITION
          SERVICES")as described in the Summary of Transition Services (the
          "SUMMARY"), which is attached hereto as SCHEDULE 7.13. The final terms
          and conditions for the Transition Services will be set forth in a
          definitive agreement negotiated by the parties in good faith and will
          be consistent with those described in the Summary.

                    FINANCING COMMITMENT. Within three days after the date
          hereof, Parent will deliver to Seller a financing commitment of
          Merrill Lynch, Price, Fenner & Smith Incorporated reasonably
          satisfactory to Seller to provide the financing required by Buyer and
          Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

                    NOTIFICATION. Seller shall notify Buyer and keep it advised
          of the occurrence, to Seller's knowledge of (i) any litigation or
          administrative proceeding pending or, to the best knowledge of Seller,
          threatened against Seller which could, if adversely determined, have a
          Material Adverse Effect; (ii) any material damage or destruction of
          any of the Purchased Assets; and (iii) any material adverse change in
          the financial condition, results of operations, assets, business or
          prospects of the Business. Parent or Buyer shall notify Seller and
          keep it advised of the occurrences, to the knowledge of Parent's
          executive officers, of any Buyer Material Adverse Change or any
          material adverse change in the financial condition, result of
          operations, assets, business or prospects of Parent.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

     VII.1_ CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATIONS TO EFFECT THE CLOSING. The
respective obligations of each party to effect the sale and purchase of the
Purchased Assets shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing
Date of the following conditions:

                    (a) The waiting period under the HSR Act applicable to the
consummation of the sale of the Purchased Assets contemplated hereby shall have
expired or been terminated;

                    (b) No preliminary or permanent injunction or other order or
decree by any federal or state court which prevents the consummation of the sale
of a material part of the Purchased Assets contemplated hereby shall have


<PAGE>

been issued and remain in effect (each party agreeing to use its reasonable best
efforts to have any such injunction, order or decree lifted) and no statute,
rule or regulation shall have been enacted by any State or Federal government or
governmental agency in the United States which prohibits the consummation of the
sale of the Purchased Assets;


<PAGE>

                    (c) All Federal, State and local government consents and
approvals required for the consummation of the sale of the Purchased Assets, the
operation of the Business by Buyer, the Seller Required Regulatory Approvals and
the Buyer Required Regulatory Approvals, shall have been obtained or become
final orders (a "FINAL ORDER") which for all purposes of this Agreement means a
final order (whether or not any rehearing or appeal thereof is pending, unless
such appeal is a bona fide challenge alleging, and with a reasonable probability
of success, that the consummation of the sale of the Purchased Assets is illegal
and could not be made legal regardless of any actions taken by Seller, Buyer or
Parent) that has not been revised, stayed, enjoined, set aside, annulled or
suspended, with respect to which any required waiting period has expired; and as
to which all conditions to effectiveness prescribed therein or otherwise by law,
regulation or order have been satisfied), unless the failure to obtain the
required consents and approvals would not, in the aggregate, create a Material
Adverse Effect. It shall not be a condition that such Final Orders not impose
adverse terms or conditions.

                    (d) All consents and approvals for the consummation of the
sale of the Purchased Assets contemplated hereby required under the terms of any
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract or other agreement to which the Seller
or the Buyer, or any of its subsidiaries, is a party shall have been obtained,
other than those which if not obtained, would not, in the aggregate, create a
Material Adverse Effect; and

                    35) The Purchased Assets shall have been released from all
Encumbrances under the Indenture and there shall be no Encumbrances on the
Purchased Assets other than the Permitted Encumbrances.

     VII.2_ CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER. The obligation of the Parent
and Buyer to effect the purchase of the Purchased Assets contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of
the following additional conditions:

                    (a) There shall not have occurred and be continuing a
Material Adverse Effect;

                    (b) The Seller shall have performed and complied
with in all material respects the covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement which are required to be performed and complied with by the Seller on
or prior to the Closing Date and the representations and warranties of the
Seller which are set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material respect (except that where any statement in a representation or
warranty expressly includes a standard of materiality, such statements shall be
true and correct in all respects) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent
that any such representation or warranty speaks as of a particular date, in
which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such
date);

                    (c) The Buyer shall have received certificates from
authorized officers of the Seller, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that,
to the best of such officers' knowledge, the conditions set forth in Sections
8.2(a) and (b) have been satisfied; and


<PAGE>

                    36) Buyer shall have received the other items to be
delivered pursuant to Section 4.3.

     VII.3_ CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLER. The obligation of the
Seller to effect the sale of the Purchased Assets contemplated by this Agreement
shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the
following additional conditions:

                    (a) Each of Parent and the Buyer shall have performed in all
material respects its covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement which
are required to be performed on or prior to the Closing Date;

                    (b) The Parent and Buyer shall have performed and complied
with in all material respects the covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement which are required to be performed and complied with by the Seller on
or prior to the Closing Date and the representations and warranties of the
Seller which are set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material respect (except that where any statement in a representation or
warranty expressly includes a standard of materiality, such statements shall be
true and correct in all respects) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent
that any such representation or warranty speaks as of a particular date, in
which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such
date);

                    (c) The Seller shall have received certificates from
authorized officers of Parent and the Buyer, dated the Closing Date, to the
effect that, to the best of such officers' knowledge, the conditions set forth
in Sections 8.3(a) and (b) have been satisfied; and

                    37) Seller shall have received the other items to be
delivered pursuant to Section 4.4.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

     VIII.1_ INDEMNIFICATION. (a) From and after the Closing, the Seller will
indemnify, defend and hold harmless Parent and the Buyer from and against any
and all claims, demands or suits (by any Person), losses, liabilities, damages,
obligations, payments, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the
costs and expenses of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, assessments,
judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and reasonable
attorneys' fees and reasonable disbursements in connection therewith) (each, an
"INDEMNIFIABLE LOSS"), asserted against or suffered by the Buyer relating to,
resulting from or arising out of (i) any breach by the Seller of any covenant or
agreement of the Seller contained in this Agreement or the representations and
warranties of Seller contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3 hereof, (ii) the
Excluded Liabilities, (iii) or noncompliance by the Seller with any bulk sales
or transfer laws as provided in Section 11.11.


<PAGE>

                    (b) From and after the Closing, the Buyer will indemnify,
defend and hold harmless the Seller from and against any and all Indemnifiable
Losses asserted against or suffered by the Seller relating to, resulting from or
arising out of (i) any breach by the Buyer of any covenant or agreement of the
Buyer contained in this Agreement or the representations and warranties of the
Buyer contained in this Agreement, (ii) the Assumed Obligations or (iii) any
liabilities or obligations of the Business incurred after Closing.

                    (c) Any Person entitled to receive indemnification under
this Agreement (an "INDEMNITEE") having a claim under these indemnification
provisions shall make a good faith effort to recover all losses, damages, costs
and expenses from insurers of such Indemnitee under applicable insurance
policies so as to reduce the amount of any Indemnifiable Loss hereunder. The
amount of any Indemnifiable Loss shall be reduced (i) to the extent that
Indemnitee receives any insurance proceeds with respect to an Indemnifiable Loss
and (ii) to take into account any net Tax benefit recognized by the Indemnitee
arising from the recognition of the Indemnifiable Loss and any payment actually
received with respect to an Indemnifiable Loss.

                    (d) The expiration, termination or extinguishment of any
covenant or agreement shall not affect the parties' obligations under this
Section 9.1 if the Indemnitee provided the Person required to provide
indemnification under this Agreement (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") with proper
notice of the claim or event for which indemnification is sought prior to such
expiration, termination or extinguishment.

                    (e) The rights and remedies of the Seller, Parent and the
Buyer under this Article IX are exclusive and in lieu of any and all other
rights and remedies which the Seller and the Buyer may have under this Agreement
or otherwise for damages or monetary relief with respect to (i) any breach or
failure to perform any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement, (ii)
any breach of any representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement or
(iii) the Assumed Obligations or the Excluded Liabilities, as the case may be;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing in this Agreement shall relieve any party from
asserting any rights and remedies as a result of fraudulent action.

                    (f) No Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover any special,
consequential or exemplary damages under this Article IX.


<PAGE>

     VIII.2_ DEFENSE OF CLAIMS. (a) If any Indemnitee receives notice of the
assertion of any claim or of the commencement of any claim, action, or
proceeding made or brought by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or
any Affiliate of a party to this Agreement (a "THIRD PARTY CLAIM") with respect
to which indemnification is to be sought from an Indemnifying Party, the
Indemnitee will give such Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice
thereof, but in any event not later than 10 calendar days after the Indemnitee's
receipt of notice of such Third Party Claim, or within 10 calendar days prior to
the date on which an answer or reply, if any, to such claim is due, whichever is
earlier. Such notice shall describe the nature of the Third Party Claim in
reasonable detail and will indicate the estimated amount, if practicable, of the
Indemnifiable Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnitee. The
Indemnifying Party will have the right to participate in or, by giving written
notice to the Indemnitee, to elect to assume the defense of any Third Party
Claim at such Indemnifying Party's own expense and by such Indemnifying Party's
own counsel, and the Indemnitee will cooperate in good faith in such defense at
such Indemnitee's own expense.

                    (b) If within 10 calendar days after an Indemnitee provides
written notice to the Indemnifying Party of any Third Party Claim the Indemnitee
receives written notice from the Indemnifying Party that such Indemnifying Party
has elected to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim as provided in the
last sentence of Section 9.2(a), the Indemnifying Party will not be liable for
any legal expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with
the defense thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Indemnifying Party fails to
take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently such Third Party Claim
within 20 calendar days after receiving notice from the Indemnitee that the
Indemnitee believes the Indemnifying Party has failed to take such steps, the
Indemnitee may assume its own defense, and the Indemnifying Party will be liable
for all reasonable expenses thereof. Without the prior written consent of the
Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party will not enter into any settlement of any
Third Party Claim (other than a settlement involving only the payment of money).
If a firm offer is made to settle a Third Party Claim which the Indemnifying
Party desires to accept and which acceptance requires the consent of the
Indemnitee pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Indemnifying
Party will give written notice to the Indemnitee to that effect. If the
Indemnitee fails to consent to such firm offer within 10 calendar days after its
receipt of such notice, the Indemnitee may continue to contest or defend such
Third Party Claim and, in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying
Party as to such Third Party Claim will be the amount of such settlement offer,
plus reasonable costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Indemnitee up to the
date of such notice for which the Indemnifying Party is otherwise liable.

                    (c) Any claim by an Indemnitee on account of an
Indemnifiable Loss which does not result from a Third Party Claim (a "DIRECT
CLAIM") will be asserted by giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt
written notice thereof, stating the nature of such claim in reasonable detail
and indicating the estimated amount, if practicable, but in any event not later
than 20 calendar days after the Indemnitee becomes aware of such Direct Claim,
and the Indemnifying Party will have a period of 20 calendar days within which
to respond to such Direct Claim. If the Indemnifying Party does not respond
within such 20 calendar day period, the Indemnifying Party will be deemed to
have accepted such claim. If the Indemnifying Party rejects such claim, the
Indemnitee will be free to seek enforcement of its rights to indemnification
under this Agreement.


<PAGE>

                    (d) If the amount of any Indemnifiable Loss, at any time
subsequent to the making of an indemnity payment in respect thereof, is reduced
by recovery, settlement or otherwise under or pursuant to any insurance
coverage, or pursuant to any claim, recovery, settlement or payment by or
against any other Person, the amount of such reduction, less any costs, expenses
or premiums incurred in connection therewith (together with interest thereon
from the date of payment thereof at the Prime Rate then in effect), will
promptly be repaid by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party. Upon making any
indemnity payment, the Indemnifying Party will, to the extent of such indemnity
payment, be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnitee against any third party
in respect of the Indemnifiable Loss to which the indemnity payment relates;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) the Indemnifying Party will then be in compliance
with its obligations under this Agreement in respect of such Indemnifiable Loss
and (ii) until the Indemnitee recovers full payment of its Indemnifiable Loss,
any and all claims of the Indemnifying Party against any such third party on
account of said indemnity payment is hereby made expressly subordinated and
subjected in right of payment to the Indemnitee's rights against such third
party. Without limiting the generality or effect of any other provision hereof,
each such Indemnitee and Indemnifying Party will duly execute upon request all
instruments reasonably necessary to evidence and perfect the above described
subrogation and subordination rights, and otherwise cooperate in the prosecution
of such claims at the direction of the Indemnifying Party. Nothing in this
Section 9.2(d) shall be construed to require any party hereto to obtain or
maintain any insurance coverage.

                    (e) A failure to give timely notice as provided in this
Section 9.2 will not affect the rights or obligations of any party hereunder
except if, and only to the extent that, as a result of such failure, the party
which was entitled to receive such notice was actually prejudiced as a result of
such failure.

                    38) With respect to any claim (or potential claim) for
indemnification hereunder which involves, or is alleged to involve, the conduct
of environmental investigatory, corrective or remedial action, the following
additional procedures shall apply:

                               (i) The party bearing financial responsibility
           with respect to a particular investigatory, corrective or remedial
           action (or, in the case of a matter as to which such responsibility
           is shared, the party bearing, or alleged to bear, the larger share of
           such responsibility) shall have the right, at its option, to
           undertake principal control over such matter (including, without
           limitation, retention of consultants, selection of remedial measures
           and negotiations and agreements with interested government agencies
           and third parties), subject to such party's obligation to (A)
           reasonably consult with the other party in connection therewith, (B)
           provide the other party with a reasonable opportunity to review
           material documents concerning and participate in material meetings
           and discussions concerning, and (C) obtain the other party's approval
           (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of any material
           decisions or actions with respect thereto.

                               (ii) In connection with any matter governed
           hereunder, each party agrees to provide the other with reasonable
           access to relevant facilities, documents and personnel. The parties
           shall keep one another apprised of major developments and shall,
           subject to applicable legal privileges, make all final reports,
           filings, and other documents relating to such matter available for
           inspection by one another. The


<PAGE>

           parties agree to reasonably cooperate with one another in connection
           with any matter governed hereunder and to generally conduct
           themselves in a good faith and cost effective manner with respect
           thereto (including without limitation limiting corrective and
           remedial action to the lowest cost measures required by Environmental
           Laws or by administrative or judicial authorities having jurisdiction
           thereunder).


<PAGE>

                               (iii) The Seller shall have no obligation to
           provide indemnification with respect to any investigatory, corrective
           or remedial action unless, and then only to the extent that,
           investigation or remediation is required by Environmental Laws, is
           lawfully required by governmental authorities having jurisdiction
           thereunder, or would be undertaken by a prudent environmental
           manager, without regard to the existence of any indemnity, in light
           of facts indicating a potentially significant risk to human health or
           the environment.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

     IX.1_ TERMINATION. (a) This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
to the Closing Date by mutual written consent of the Seller and the Buyer.

                    (b) This Agreement may be terminated by the Seller or the
Buyer if the Closing contemplated hereby shall have not occurred on or before
the first anniversary of the date of this Agreement (the "TERMINATION DATE");
PROVIDED that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.1(b)
shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation
under this Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the
Closing to occur on or before such date; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if on the
first anniversary of the date of this Agreement the conditions to the Closing
set forth in Section 8.1(c) shall not have been fulfilled but all other
conditions to the Closing shall be fulfilled or shall be capable of being
fulfilled, then the Termination Date shall be the day which is eighteen months
from the date of this Agreement.

                    (c) This Agreement may be terminated by either the Seller or
the Buyer if (i) any Governmental Entity, the consent of which is a condition to
the obligations of the Seller and the Buyer to consummate the Closing shall have
determined not to grant its consent and all appeals of such determination shall
have been taken and have been unsuccessful, (ii) one or more courts of competent
jurisdiction in the United States or any State shall have issued an order,
judgment or decree permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the Closing, and such order, judgment or decree shall have become final and
nonappealable or (iii) any statute, rule or regulation shall have been enacted
by any State or Federal government or governmental agency in the United States
which prohibits the consummation of the Closing.

                    (d) This Agreement may be terminated by the Parent or Buyer,
if there has been a material violation or breach by the Seller of any agreement,
representation or warranty made by it contained in this Agreement which has
prevented the satisfaction of any condition to the obligations of the Buyer and
Parent to effect the Closing and such violation or breach has not been cured by
the Seller or waived by the Buyer.

                    (e) This Agreement may be terminated by the Seller, if there
has been a material violation or breach by the Buyer or Parent of any agreement,
representation or warranty made by it contained in this Agreement which has
prevented the satisfaction of any condition to the obligations of the Seller to
effect the Closing and such violation or breach has not been cured by the Buyer
or Parent or waived by the Seller.


<PAGE>

     IX.2_ PROCEDURE AND EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of
this Agreement and abandonment of the transactions contemplated hereby by either
or both of the parties pursuant to Section 10.1, written notice thereof shall
forthwith be given by the terminating party to the other party and this
Agreement shall terminate and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
abandoned, without further action by any of the parties hereto. If this
Agreement is terminated as provided herein:

                    (a) said termination shall be the sole remedy of the parties
hereto with respect to breaches of any agreement, representation or warranty
contained in this Agreement and none of the parties hereto nor any of their
respective trustees, directors, officers or Affiliates, as the case may be,
shall have any liability or further obligation to the other party or any of
their respective trustees, directors, officers or Affiliates, as the case may
be, pursuant to this Agreement, except in each case as stated in this Section
10.2 and in Sections 7.2(b), 7.3, 7.5 and 7.7, and upon a willful breach by a
party in which case the non-breaching party shall have all rights and remedies
existing at law or in equity;

                    (b) all filings, applications and other submissions made
pursuant to this Agreement, to the extent practicable, shall be withdrawn from
the agency or other Person to which they were made.


                                    ARTICLE X
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     X.1_ AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION. This Agreement may be amended, modified or
supplemented only by written agreement of the Seller and the Buyer.

     X.2_ WAIVER OF COMPLIANCE; CONSENTS. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, any failure of any of the parties to comply with any obligation,
covenant, agreement or condition herein may be waived by the party entitled to
the benefits thereof only by a written instrument signed by the party granting
such waiver, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with
such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver
of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.


<PAGE>

     X.3_ NO SURVIVAL. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.2, each and every
representation, warranty and covenant contained in this Agreement (other than
the covenants contained in Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.5, 7.2(b), (c), (d), and
(e), 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.7, 7.8, 7.10, 7.12, and 7.13 and in Articles IX and XI and
the obligations of the Buyer with respect to the Assumed Obligations and the
Seller with respect to the Excluded Liabilities (which covenants and obligations
shall survive in accordance with their terms) and other than the representations
and warranties contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 and claims
for breaches of the covenants contained in Section 7.1(a) (which
representations, warranties and claims shall survive for twelve months from the
Closing)) shall expire with, and be terminated and extinguished by the
consummation of the sale of the Purchased Assets and the transfer of the Assumed
Obligations pursuant to this Agreement and such representations, warranties and
covenants shall not survive the Closing Date, and neither of the Seller, the
Buyer nor any officer, director, trustee or Affiliate of any of them shall be
under any liability whatsoever with respect to any such representation, warranty
or covenant notwithstanding the provisions of Article IX.

     X.4_ NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or by facsimile
transmission, telexed or mailed by overnight courier or registered or certified
mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, to the parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified
by like notice; PROVIDED that notices of a change of address shall be effective
only upon receipt thereof):

                     (a)       If to the Seller, to:

                               The Dayton Power and Light Company
                               1065 Woodman Drive
                               Dayton, Ohio 45432
                               Facsimile: (937) 259-7386
                               Attention: Steven F. Koziar, Jr., Esquire

                                          with a copy to:

                               Kirkland & Ellis
                               200 E. Randolph Drive
                               Chicago, Illinois 60601
                               Facsimile:  (312) 861-2200
                               Attention: Carter W. Emerson, P.C.

                     (b)       If to Parent, to:

                               Indiana Energy, Inc.
                               1630 North Meridian Street
                               Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-1496
                               Facsimile: (317) 321-0747
                               Attention: Ronald E. Christian, Esquire

                     39)           if to the Buyer, to:

                               Number-3CHK, Inc.
                               1630 North Meridian Street
                               Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-1496
                               Facsimile: (317) 321-0747
                               Attention: Ronald E. Christian, Esquire



<PAGE>

                                with copies in each case to:

                               Sommer & Barnard, PC
                               111 Monument Circle
                               Suite 4000, Bank One Tower
                               Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
                               Facsimile: (317) 236-9802
                               Attention: James A. Strain, Esquire

                               and

                               Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
                               425 Lexington Avenue
                               New York, New York 10007
                               Facsimile: (212) 455-2502
                               Attention: James M. Cotter, Esquire


<PAGE>

     X.5_ ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns including without limitation, Vectren
Corporation as successor to Indiana Energy, Inc. and with respect to Seller, any
entity that may succeed to substantially all the assets of Seller, but neither
this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall
be assigned by any party hereto, including by operation of law without the prior
written consent of the other party, nor is this Agreement intended to confer
upon any other Person except the parties hereto any rights or remedies
hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER that New Buyer Employees may have claims under
Sections 2.3(c) and 7.10. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this
Agreement shall create any third party beneficiary rights in any employee or
former employee of the Seller (including any beneficiary or dependent thereof)
in respect of continued employment or resumed employment, and no provision of
this Agreement shall create any rights in any such Persons in respect of any
benefits that may be provided, directly or indirectly, under any employee
benefit plan or arrangement except as expressly provided for thereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the Buyer may assign all of its rights and
obligations hereunder to any wholly owned Subsidiary (direct or indirect) of
Parent or Buyer upon the Seller's receipt of notice from Parent or Buyer of any
such assignment and the Buyer, but not Parent, will be released from all
liabilities and obligations hereunder, accrued and unaccrued, such assignee will
be deemed to have assumed, ratified, agreed to be bound by and perform all such
liabilities and obligations, and all references herein to "BUYER" shall
thereafter be deemed references to such assignee, in each case without the
necessity for further act or evidence by the parties hereto or such assignee;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such assignment and assumption shall release the
Buyer from its liabilities and obligations hereunder unless the assignee shall
have acquired all or substantially all of the Buyer's assets; and (b) the Buyer
or its permitted assignee may assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of
its rights and interests hereunder to a trustee or lending institution(s) for
the purposes of financing or refinancing the Purchased Assets, including upon or
pursuant to the exercise of remedies under such financing or refinancing, or by
way of assignments, transfers, conveyances or dispositions in lieu thereof;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such assignment or disposition shall relieve or in
any way discharge the Buyer or such assignee from the performance of its duties
and obligations under this Agreement. The Seller agrees to execute and deliver
such documents as may be reasonably necessary to accomplish any such assignment,
transfer, conveyance, pledge or disposition of rights hereunder so long as the
Seller's rights under this Agreement are not thereby altered, amended,
diminished or otherwise impaired. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller may, at
its sole expense, assign all of its rights, but not its obligations, hereunder
to a Qualified Intermediary as provided by Income Tax Regulation ss.1.1031(k) -
1(g)(4) for the purpose of exchanging all or a portion of the Purchased Assets
for other property of a like kind within the meaning of Section 1031 of the
Code.

     X.6_ GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio (regardless of the laws that might
otherwise govern under applicable Ohio principles of conflicts of law) as to all
matters, including but not limited to matters of validity, construction, effect,
performance and remedies.

     X.7_ COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


<PAGE>

     X.8_ INTERPRETATION. The article and section headings contained in this
Agreement are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the agreement
of the parties and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.

     X.9_ SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS. All Exhibits and Schedules referred to herein
are intended to be and hereby are specifically made a part of this Agreement.

     X.10_ ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement and
the Exhibits, Schedules, documents, certificates and instruments referred to
herein or therein, embody the entire agreement and understanding of the parties
hereto in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. There are
no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or
undertakings, other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein or
therein. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that there are no restrictions,
promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings contained in
any material made available to the Buyer pursuant to the terms of the
Confidentiality Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to such transactions other than
the Confidentiality Agreement.

     X.11_ BULK SALES OR TRANSFER LAWS. The Buyer acknowledges that the Seller
will not comply with the provision of any bulk sales or transfer laws of any
jurisdiction in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
The Buyer hereby waives compliance by the Seller with the provisions of the bulk
sales or transfer laws of all applicable jurisdictions.

                                  [END OF PAGE]


<PAGE>

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Seller, Parent and the Buyer have caused this
agreement to be signed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the
date first above written.

                       THE DAYTON POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY

                       By:       ________________________________________
                                 Name: Allen M. Hill
                                 Title: President and Chief Executive Officer


                       INDIANA ENERGY, INC.

                       By:       ________________________________________
                                 Name: Niel C. Ellerbrook
                                 Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                       NUMBER-3CHK, INC.