PARIS (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) Jan. 5, 2000--Standard&Poor's today affirmed its long- and short-term ratings on Electricité de France (EDF). The outlook remains negative. (See list below for all ratings affected.) The ratings affirmation follows significant additional costs--estimated to range between FFr10 billion and FFr17 billion (euro {Eur} 1.5 billion to Eur2.6 billion)--that will be incurred by EDF as a result of the storms that hit France in December 1999, and recognizes EDF's substantial cash flow and financial flexibility. A substantial part of EDF's low- and medium-voltage distribution network in the west, southwest, and south of France has been damaged. It is estimated that FFr5 billion will be required for immediate repair works and treated as current operating
