WGII Washington Grp. International (MM)

BOISE, Idaho and SHANGHAI, China, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Washington Group International (NASDAQ:WGII) announced today that it has been selected by Sanmen Nuclear Power Company (SMNPC) to provide project management training services in China and the United States. SMNPC is preparing to construct its first two nuclear units at a seacoast site in Sanmen in the Zhejiang province. The contract calls for Washington Group to conduct a series of workshops to provide program management training using processes, procedures, and training materials, which have been successfully employed on a variety of Washington Group projects throughout the world. Washington Group conducted the first workshop for SMNPC in early December. More than 65 SMNPC employees working in project management, project controls, human resources, contracts, procurement, estimating, quality assurance/quality control, information technology, engineering, and plant operations participated in the workshop. The training involved everything from pre-project planning to project controls and estimating to employee relations. "It is highly appreciated that Washington Group has attached importance to this training program," stated Mr. Gu Jun, deputy general manager of SMNPC. "We believe both parties will take this event as the remarkable beginning of the continuing cooperation between SMNPC and Washington Group International." Lou Pardi, president of Washington Group's Power Business Unit, said: "SMNPC was looking for a company to share industry best practices with an emphasis on project management. We will impart lessons learned on a variety of issues critical to on-time and on-budget performance. "Our selection for this important assignment illustrates our strong reputation and capabilities in nuclear services and project management, and we are committed to assisting SMNPC in developing a world-class program management capability." Washington Group International provides services addressing the full nuclear lifecycle including providing licensing, engineering, design, procurement, construction, startup, maintenance and modification, decommissioning, and waste storage services for nuclear power. Washington Group has provided services to virtually every U.S. nuclear power plant and is the engineer or constructor of record for 49 nuclear units worldwide. Washington Group International (NASDAQ:WGII) provides the talent, innovation, and proven performance to deliver integrated engineering, construction, and management solutions for businesses and governments worldwide. With more than $3 billion in annual revenue, the company has approximately 25,000 people at work around the world providing solutions in power, environmental management, defense, oil and gas processing, mining, industrial facilities, transportation, and water resources. For more information, visit http://www.wgint.com/. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, could, should, expect, anticipate, intend, plan, estimate, or continue or the negative thereof or other variations thereof. Each forward-looking statement, including, without limitation, any financial guidance, speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Washington Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. The forward-looking statements are necessarily based on assumptions and estimates of management and are inherently subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially as a result of changes or developments in social, economic, business, market, legal, and regulatory circumstances or conditions, both domestically and globally, as well as due to actions by customers, clients, suppliers, business partners, or government bodies. Performance is subject to numerous factors, including demand for new power generation and for modification of existing power facilities, public sector funding, demand for extractive resources, capital spending plans of customers, and spending levels and priorities of the U.S., state and other governments. Results may also vary as a result of difficulties or delays experienced in the execution of contracts or implementation of strategic initiatives. For additional risks and uncertainties impacting the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, please see "Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Washington Group's annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2005. DATASOURCE: Washington Group International CONTACT: Media, Jerry Holloway or Laurie Spiegelberg, +1-208-386-5255, or Investors, Earl Ward, +1-208-386-5698, all of Washington Group International Web site: http://www.wgint.com/

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