High Plains Gas, Inc. (OTCBB: HPGS) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Brent M. Cook as CEO.

Mr. Cook has over 26 years of corporate finance and management experience in the Energy Industry. Prior to joining High Plains Gas, Mr. Cook served as CEO of Current Energy where he successfully negotiated and closed on the acquisition of the Gas Fields known as "North & South Fairway" assets of Marathon Oil Corporation located in the Powder River Basin. Prior to starting Current Energy, Mr. Cook served as Director of Raser Technologies beginning in October 2004, and as that company's CEO from January 2005 to September 2009 where he oversaw their listing on the NYSE.

Mr. Cook was also a partner and employed from February 2002 to March 2005 by AMP Resources, a geothermal power generation company that sold and developed their projects to ENEL, an Italian power generation company.

From 1996 to 2002, Mr. Cook developed and built Headwaters and served in various positions at Headwaters Inc., a large publicly-traded energy Technology Company, including as its Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board.

"Mr. Cook's addition to the High Plains Gas Team is another major milestone in moving the company forward," stated Mark Hettinger, Chairman of High Plains Gas, Inc. "He has the depth of business experience and knowledge that we have been searching for. Brent has been active in the energy markets for many years and has great familiarity with fuel supply arrangements. He has over 12 years experience in overseeing publicly traded energy and energy services companies and in establishing them on major stock exchanges," continued Hettinger.

About High Plains Gas High Plains Gas, Inc. is a Gillette, Wyoming based energy company actively engaged in the acquisition, development and production of natural gas primarily in the Powder River Basin. The Company recently acquired CEP - M Purchase LLC, which currently owns the former Marathon "North & South Fairway" assets. These assets consist of 1614 Coal Bed Methane Wells with associated flow lines and over 155, 000 net acres. This combined with the company's existing 92 natural gas wells gives the company a strong foundation in the natural gas industry. High Plains Gas will pursue expansion opportunities for the profitable production and transmission of natural gas. High Plains Gas believes it has unique expertise and experience in the refurbishment and reactivation of wells that produce natural gas from coal bed methane formations that helps position it strategically in the Powder River Basin.

Statements made about our future expectations are forward-looking statements and subject to risks and uncertainties as described in our most recent filings made with the US Securities and Exchange commission, and are subject to change at any time. Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement.

Contact High Plains Gas, Inc. P.O. Box 1564 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-5030 Email: ir@highplainsgas.com www.highplainsgas.com Investor Relations American Capital Ventures Howard Gostfrand (305) 918-7000 info@amcapventures.com