UtiliCorp currently owns approximately 82 percent of Aquila Gas Pipeline's outstanding common shares. On November 10, 1998, UtiliCorp proposed acquiring the approximately 5.4 million shares of Aquila Gas Pipeline held by the public for $8.00 per share. The special committee of the Aquila Gas Pipeline board, consisting of two independent directors, then was formed to negotiate with UtiliCorp.

UtiliCorp also announced today that it is presently reviewing its options, including whether or not to proceed with an offer directly to the public for the shares of Aquila Gas Pipeline. Such an offer could be equal to, lower than, or higher than the $8.00 per share proposed in November 1998. However, there is no assurance that any such offer will be made.

Based in San Antonio, Texas, Aquila Gas Pipeline Corporation gathers, processes and markets natural gas and natural gas liquids through its natural gas gathering systems and gas processing plants in Texas and Oklahoma. The company is approximately 82 percent owned by Aquila Energy Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UtiliCorp United. The remaining shares were sold to investors in an initial public offering in 1993.

UtiliCorp is an international electric and gas company with customers and operations across the U.S. and in Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the Fortune 500 company operates regulated electric and gas utilities in eight states and one Canadian province and through the Aquila Energy subsidiary markets natural gas and electricity across most of North America.

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     CONTACT: UtiliCorp United Inc., Kansas City
              Media Contacts:
              Ethan Hirsh, 816/467-3509
              Media Relations, 816/467-3000
              Investor Relations:
              Ellen Fairchild, 816/467-3506
              Dale Wolf, 816/467-3536

     KEYWORD: MISSOURI TEXAS OKLAHOMA INTERNATIONAL EUROPE 
ASIA PACIFIC 
     INDUSTRY KEYWORD: UTILITIES ENERGY OIL/GAS