PLACERVILLE, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/21/09 -- Ruby Pipeline, LLC, a subsidiary of El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP), developer and operator of the first interstate natural gas pipeline that plans to achieve carbon neutrality in construction and operations, inaugurated its historic partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF) at a ceremonial tree planting at the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Tree Nursery in Placerville, California today.

The nursery will produce more than 117,000 seedlings to reforest 561 acres of fire-damaged forest on the Plumas National Forest. The trees planted will mitigate up to 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide over their lifetime and restore a watershed important to the town of Quincy, California. The resulting reforestation will restore wildlife habitat, watersheds, and enhance forest-based recreation opportunities for thousands of people who visit the Plumas National Forest each year.

The National Forest Foundation (www.nationalforests.org) is a Congressionally chartered, nonprofit partner organization dedicated to supporting the Forest Service in caring for our 193 million acre National Forest System. Ruby Pipeline's carbon neutrality goals help support the NFF's Carbon Capital Fund (CCF), which provides financial support for carbon sequestration demonstration projects on National Forest lands, demonstrating the value of trees and forests as part of a climate change mitigation strategy. Projects supported by the CCF plant trees in naturally deforested areas, sequestering carbon and providing additional benefits to the forests and people. Without the support of companies like Ruby, these projects would not be possible.

As a member of the California Climate Action Registry and founding registrant of The Climate Registry, El Paso is already a pioneer in the area of carbon accounting in the natural gas industry. Ruby's partnership with the National Forest Foundation is a continuation of El Paso's involvement in carbon management and climate change policy.

According to Jim Cleary, President of El Paso's Western Pipeline Group, "We are proud to join with the National Forest Foundation in its reforestation projects as part of Ruby's overall commitment to environmental stewardship and being the 'Neighbor to Have.' Ruby will deploy new technologies and best management practices to reduce its carbon footprint on the project, and we are pursuing opportunities like this one with the NFF to help mitigate our remaining carbon emissions," said Mr. Cleary.

"Ruby Pipeline and El Paso's commitment to promoting reforestation on the Plumas National Forest will benefit the forest, its wildlife, and the American public through this creative partnership. We commend Ruby's leadership and look forward to our continued partnership in helping care for vital public resources," said Bill Possiel, President of the National Forest Foundation.

About El Paso Corporation

El Paso Corporation provides natural gas and related energy products in a safe, efficient, dependable manner. The company owns North America's largest interstate natural gas pipeline system and one of North America's largest independent natural gas producers. For more information, visit www.elpaso.com.

The company is organized around two core businesses -- pipelines and exploration and production. El Paso owns North America's largest interstate natural gas pipeline system -- approximately 42,000 miles -- transporting more than a quarter of the natural gas consumed in the country each day. Some of those pipeline assets are owned by El Paso Pipeline Partners, El Paso's master limited partnership (Learn more at www.eppipelinepartners.com). The E&P operation ranks in the top 10 domestic independent producers, operating in high-quality basins across the United States and in Brazil and Egypt.

About National Forest Foundation

Founded by Congress in 1991, the National Forest Foundation works to conserve, restore and enhance America's 193-million-acre National Forest System. Through community-based strategies and public-private partnerships, the NFF enhances wildlife habitat, revitalizes wildfire-damaged landscapes, restores watersheds, and improves recreational resources for the benefit of all Americans. The NFF's Friends of the Forest® program helps build awareness of the issues and values surrounding our National Forests through outreach and volunteer opportunities. To learn more, visit us at www.nationalforests.org.