Electric Energy T&D - Index

Electric Energy T&D - EE Magazine March / April 2009 - Index

“Across America, people are recognizing and celebrating how vital
trees are to our cities and towns,” said John Rosenow, chief executive
of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees help reduce peak demand by
conserving energy. They also clean air and water, increase property
value, and make our homes more comfortable, livable places.”
Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED),
one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with
approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $33 billion in
assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more
than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County,
New York. For additional financial, operations and customer service
information, visit Con Edison’s Web site at www.conEd.com.
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AltaLink Invests in Essential Transmission Infrastructure
calgary, ab – In 008, AltaLink continued to deliver much-needed
electric transmission projects to keep the lights on for Albertans.
Following the unprecedented period of expansion in our province, our
focus is on reinforcing our system and building essential transmission
infrastructure.
“The need for investment in a more modern and smarter transmission
grid in Alberta remains clear,” said Scott Thon, AltaLink’s President
and Chief Executive Officer. “Whether to enable diverse, new renewable
electricity sources or improving the efficiency and reliability of the
existing system, transmission is a key to unlocking the benefits of the
electric system for Albertans.”
“These investments not only ensure a safe, reliable and cost-effective
electricity system, but also bring valuable jobs and new opportunities
for our province.”
Highlights of altaLink’s operations in 2008 included:
• Safely and efficiently carrying out a capital construction program
with investments of $174.4 million in facilities for our customers;
Successfully refinancing $100.0 million of long-term debt which
matured in 008;
• Completing the Keephills-Ellerslie-Genesee (KEG) transmission
line on April 6, 008, the first 500 kV line to be energized in
Alberta in more than 0 years;
• Enabling up to ,700 megawatts of future Alberta renewable wind
power resource by completing the hearing process with the Alberta
Utilities Commission for our 40 kV Southwest Development project
together with moving forward on the first phase of the proposed
Southern Alberta transmission reinforcement project; and
• Being named “Best Place to Work” in the Energy/Oil and Gas
division by Calgary Inc Magazine.
AltaLink, L.P. also announced its financial results for the 008 fiscal year.
1 I March-April 2009 Issue
AltaLink recorded net income for the year ended December 31,
008 of $40.7 million compared to $37.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 007. Revenue for the year ended December 31,
008 was $ 33.4 million, compared to $ 13.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 007.
The year over year increase in tariff revenue results primarily from
growth in our regulated rate base for transmission assets, recovery of
higher operating costs due to system growth, recovery of depreciation
charges on new capital additions, and higher allowed returns on
capital invested as the allowed rate of return on equity increased
from 8.51% in 007 to 8.75% in 008.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 008 is $3.1 million
higher than 007 primarily due to higher transmission tariff revenue
derived from our continuing investment in regulatory transmission assets,
which is partially offset by higher operating expenses, depreciation and
interest expense attributable to the growth in rate base assets.
The net income reported above is pre-tax, and is not directly
comparable with net income reported by companies that recognize
tax expense in their financial statements.
AltaLink’s full financial results and management’s discussion and
analysis can be found on AltaLink’s website at www.altalink.ca or on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
AltaLink, Canada’s only fully independent transmission provider, is
responsible for the maintenance and operation of more than 11,600
kilometres of transmission lines and approximately 60 substations in
Alberta. As Alberta’s largest supplier of safe and reliable transmission,
AltaLink is moving forward to provide a transmission system that
will continue to meet the growing needs of Albertans. AltaLink has
been a proud supporter of Alberta 4-H since 003, and as a Legacy
Builder it is the title sponsor of all regional, district and provincial
communications and public speaking programs.
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Echelon Launches LonWorks 2.0 Platform for Smart
Networks
New Platform Enables More Powerful and Economical Smart Networks in
Buildings, Factories, Cities and Homes
San Jose, ca and Nuremberg, Germany – Echelon Corporation
(NASDAQ: ELON) announced the launch of the LonWorks® .0
platform, the next generation platform of control networks and products
that make it more cost effective than ever to build everyday devices in
buildings, factories, city infrastructure, homes and other applications
that are smart, connected, and energy aware. This new platform
utilizes the latest technology in improving the speed, power, and costeffectiveness
of systems designed to deliver smarter, more convenient
environments for work, play, and living while simultaneously lowering
energy use.