CPN Calpine Corp.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Calpine Corporation (NYSE:CPN) was recently recognized in CMP Media's InformationWeek 500 as the top energy and utility industry IT innovator. Calpine also rose to fifth overall among U.S. companies that regularly practice both technical and operational innovation according to InformationWeek's 2005 study. Chief Information Officer Dennis Fishback praised his employees and contractors and the internal business customers they serve, "This recognition and honor belongs to our workforce. Through their hard work, creativity and teamwork, they continue to position Calpine as a leader in all respects, including the innovative use of information technology for business benefit." First making the list in 2003, Calpine was ranked #191 that year and 10th in the energy and utility category. Last year, the company reached #30 and was second among its peers. This year, the balance of the top five included Capital One Financial Corp., SC Johnson & Son, Inc., Equifax, Inc. and Eastman Kodak Co. Calpine projects that were specifically recognized were the Information Services talent management initiatives and four application and infrastructure projects: Synchronicity II, an application that assists in analyzing fuel cost and its relationship to the price of electricity, a Performance Calculator that allows plant operators and energy traders to predict how much fuel will be used and how much power generated as weather conditions change; the Optimization Platform that analyzes power plant operating data to improve scheduling; and the WAN Optimization project that made the company's wide area network (WAN) faster and more secure, thereby speeding the interaction of these and all other applications. "In refining our effectiveness, Calpine again spent less on information technology than comparable companies-under one percent of revenues," said Fishback. In comparison, "The InformationWeek 500 will invest, in aggregate, three percent of their annual revenue on IT this year," according to Stephanie Stahl, InformationWeek editor-in-chief. For 17 years, the InformationWeek 500 has tracked organizations' IT agendas, providing a unique opportunity to understand and examine their business practices across core areas of technology operations. Companies named to this list demonstrate a pattern of technological and organizational innovation. The InformationWeek 500 is also the most detailed source of industry-specific IT budget data. The research project gathered in-depth information directly from companies about how they approach and prioritize their IT investments. The research identified and ranked the companies following an extensive online and phone study. About InformationWeek InformationWeek is the largest, most influential community of IT buyers and sellers focusing on, driving and setting the agenda for business innovation powered by technology. Every week, InformationWeek touches more than 1 million business technology executives worldwide through its magazine editions, online sites, research platforms, and peer-to-peer events. The InformationWeek Media Network consists of Optimize, Bank Systems & Technology, Insurance & Technology and Wall Street & Technology -- all leading publications in their respective markets -- as well as Government Enterprise. InformationWeek is consistently recognized for its commitment to excellence and innovation, and has received several of the industry's top media accolades, including top spots in BtoB Magazine's Media Power 50, Circulation Excellence Awards from Circulation Management Magazine and several awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. About CMP Media LLC CMP Media (http://www.cmp.com/) is the leading integrated media solutions company providing "broad and deep" access to the entire technology spectrum -- the builders, sellers and buyers of technology worldwide. The company's comprehensive database of technology decision makers enables marketers to reach targeted audiences throughout the purchase process with publications, web offerings, face-to-face events, consulting and other marketing services that deliver actionable results. About Calpine A major power company, Calpine Corporation supplies customers and communities with electricity from clean, efficient, natural gas-fired and geothermal power plants. Calpine owns, leases and operates integrated systems of plants in 21 U.S. states, three Canadian provinces and is building a plant in Mexico. Its customized products and services include wholesale and retail electricity, gas turbine components and services, energy management, and a wide range of power plant engineering, construction and maintenance, and operational services. Calpine was founded in 1984. It is included in the S&P 500 Index and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CPN. For more information, visit http://www.calpine.com/ . DATASOURCE: Calpine Corporation CONTACT: Katherine Potter, Media Relations, +1-408-792-1168, or , or Karen Bunton, Investor Relations, +1-408-792-1121, or , both of Calpine Corporation Web site: http://www.calpine.com/

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