Doing More Bike Tour Kicks Off Inaugural Ride

PORTSMOUTH, NH June 14, 2004 -- John McClellan, President and CEO of Sprague Energy, will be riding his bike over 1,000 miles this summer to raise money and awareness for a pair of charities. McClellan will be biking to 16 of Sprague's fuel terminals spanning from Maine to New York. The charitable ride will be divided into two event "legs."

The first leg will begin on June 15th, 2004 at Sprague's Searsport, ME terminal and will conclude on June 18th in Oceanside, NY. The second leg will take place from July 26-28, 2004 starting in Oswego, NY and ending in Portsmouth, NH. McClellan noted that the ride "is quite simple in concept, although the execution will, no doubt, be somewhat more challenging."

Along with Sprague Energy, a major contributor to the event is Bouchard Transportation, a full service barging company based in Melville, NY and a long time partner of Sprague. Also making significant contributions to the first leg of the event are SolArc, a software technology firm and BNP Paribas, a firm specializing in corporate and investment banking.

Assisting McClellan will be John Didier, Director of Terminal Operations for Sprague Energy. Didier driving ahead of John will meet him at predetermined checkpoints to assist with water, food and bike maintenance throughout the ride.

The two designated charities, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the Nashoba Learning Group (NLG), have a strong connection to Sprague and to Mr. McClellan. Sprague Energy has partnered with the MDA for several years helping raise awareness and funds for the association. John's wife, Liz Martineau, founded the Nashoba Learning Group, an educational program for people with autism. McClellan is a board member and the treasurer of the school.

McClellan, an avid biker said "the two charities are making a big difference in the lives of many kids, and their families, and with the support of our contributors, they can help even more!"

About MDA
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary national health agency — a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans. We all know of the MDA and their great work through Jerry Lewis's annual Telethon. MDA works in your community to combat neuromuscular diseases through sponsorship of: Worldwide Research Programs; Comprehensive Nationwide Services Program; a network of over 230 hospital-affiliated clinics; summer camp programs that last year served over 4,500 children; and professional and public health education programs.

Taken together, the projects of the MDA represent one of the most significant and comprehensive programs ever undertaken to combat a debilitating disease. The impact of the MDA has been profound.
For more information about the Muscular Dystrophy Association, please visit www.mdausa.org.

About Autism and the Nashoba Learning Group
Autism is a neurological disorder that is complex, and the causes are not well understood. People with autism show three major categories of symptoms: impairments in social interaction; impairments in communication; and the presence of repetitive and restricted patterns of behavior. It usually appears in children between the ages of one and three, and there is no "cure," although aggressive educational therapy offers the best prospects for recovery.

In January 2003, Liz Martineau launched a major initiative in her commitment to help people with autism: supported by some similarly motivated colleagues and parents, opened a non-profit (501 c 3 status) school, Nashoba Learning Group (NLG). NLG's mission is to create the best available educational program for people with autism using proven educational methods -- one-on-one teaching using Applied Behavioral Analysis -- to help children with autism reach their full potential and to participate as fully as possible in family and community activities throughout their lives. NLG has grown from 2 students to 21 in just over a year, and will reach capacity in its current location this fall, when enrollment reaches 30 students. NLG currently has over 40 other children on a waiting list. NLG is simultaneously looking to expand the existing program, as well as to develop new programs, such as vocational training and supported employment opportunities.

For more information about Nashoba Learning Group, please visit www.nashobalearninggroup.org.

About Sprague Energy
Founded in 1870 as a supplier of coal and oil, Sprague has evolved into the Eastern Seaboard's leading resource for industrial, commercial, space heating and transportation fuels, as well as material handling services. Sprague distributes more than 2.5 billion gallons of petroleum products, 91 billion BTU's of natural gas, and handles 3 million tons of bulk materials in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Sprague, based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Axel Johnson Inc., a member of the Axel Johnson group of Stockholm, Sweden. Please visit Sprague's web site at www.spragueenergy.com. ;   
    
About Bouchard Transportation
Bouchard, a total service oil barging company, is the only barge company in New York State with year round 24-hour office service. Incorporated in 1918, progressive thinking and a strong commitment to service have fostered Bouchard's continued growth and greater recognition. Today, Bouchard stands firm by the company's original philosophy that, in order to best serve its customers, it must stay abreast of the times and industry's changing needs.

For more information about Bouchard Transportation, please visit at www.bouchardtransport.com.



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