Exhibit 99



                    [Letterhead of Energy East]


               ENERGY EAST AND BERKSHIRE ENERGY RESOURCES
               AGREE TO COMBINE IN $96 MILLION TRANSACTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

     ALBANY, NY, AND PITTSFIELD, MA, November 10, 1999 - The
boards of directors of Energy East Corporation (NYSE: NEG) and
Berkshire Energy Resources (NASD: BERK) today announced that the
companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Energy
East will acquire all of the common shares of Berkshire for
$38.00 per share in cash.  The transaction has an equity market
value of approximately $96 million based upon the approximately
2.5 million Berkshire common shares currently outstanding.
Energy East will also assume approximately $40 million of
Berkshire preferred stock and long-term debt.  The acquisition
will be accounted for as a purchase, and Energy East intends to
finance it with debt and cash.

     Upon completion, Berkshire will become a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Energy East.  Berkshire's principal subsidiaries,
Berkshire Gas Company, Berkshire Propane, Inc. and Berkshire
Service Solutions serve approximately 40,000 customers, including
6,000 propane customers, in western Massachusetts, southern
Vermont and eastern New York.   Berkshire will maintain its
Pittsfield, Massachusetts headquarters.


     Wes von Schack, chairman, president and chief executive
officer of Energy East said, "Berkshire Resources makes good
strategic sense.  It complements our growth strategies,
particularly in Vermont and New Hampshire, and its propane
business provides an opportunity for further expansion.  Also,
Berkshire's proximity to NYSEG in eastern Upstate New York and
CTG Resources, Inc. (NYSE: CTG) in northern Connecticut makes it
a good geographical fit."

     Scott Robinson, president and chief executive officer of
Berkshire said, "We are pleased to announce this strategic
combination with Energy East.  Not only does it provide excellent
value to our shareholders, but it also brings to Massachusetts a
company with a demonstrated commitment to outstanding customer
service, competition and economic development.  This combination
will be a real benefit to our customers, our employees and the
communities that we serve."

     The transaction is conditioned, among other things, upon the
approvals of Berkshire shareholders and the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC).  The companies anticipate that
necessary approvals can be obtained within a year.  No layoffs
are anticipated as a result of this combination.  The companies
will seek to minimize workforce effects of the merger, primarily
through attrition.  The union contract will be honored.

     Chase Securities, Inc. acted as financial advisor to Energy
East and Tucker Anthony Cleary Gull acted as financial advisor to
Berkshire.  Huber Lawrence & Abell acted as legal counsel to
Energy East and Rich, May, Bilodeau & Flaherty, P.C. acted as
legal counsel to Berkshire.

     Berkshire Energy Resources is a holding company whose
subsidiaries include The Berkshire Gas Company, Berkshire
Propane, Inc., and Berkshire Service Solutions, Inc.

     A natural gas utility serving western Massachusetts,
Berkshire Gas serves 34,000 natural gas customers.   The company
has been meeting the energy needs of customers in western
Massachusetts for more than 145 years.

     Berkshire Propane provides retail propane service across a
5,000-square-mile territory in western Massachusetts, southern
Vermont and eastern New York.  Berkshire Propane was first
established in 1955.

     Berkshire Service Solutions is engaged in the commodity sale
of energy to commercial and industrial customers and provides on-
premise HVAC and plumbing services in commercial, industrial and
residential markets.

     Energy East Corporation (NYSE: NEG) is a super-regional
energy services and delivery company in the Northeast. Energy
East is a leader in promoting competition and is committed to
profitably growing its energy infrastructure. Upon completion of
this acquisition and its mergers with Connecticut Energy
Corporation (NYSE: CNE), CMP Group (NYSE: CTP) and CTG Resources
(NYSE: CTG) - and including its current energy delivery
subsidiary, NYSEG - Energy East will serve more than 1.3 million
electricity customers and nearly 600,000 natural gas customers in
New York and New England.


Contacts for Energy East:  Contacts for Berkshire Energy
                                         Resources:

Media:     Dan Farley        Media:     Chris Farrell
           (518) 434-3014               (413) 445-0312

Investors: Thorn Dickinson   Investors: Mike  Marrone
           (607) 347-2561               (413) 445-0259