EIN Presswire: Electric Power Press Releases

NW Natural Elects New Board Chairman

Fri, 25 May 2012 00:07:00 +0000

The Board of Directors of Northwest Natural Gas Company, dba, NW Natural (NYSE: NWN), today announced at the company's annual shareholder meeting the election of Tod R. Hamachek as board chairman. Hamachek will replace Russell F. Tromley who is retiring after serving as chair since 2008 and as a member of the board since 1994.

"Russ's insights and his commitment over the past two decades to the company, its shareholders and the board have been invaluable. He's been a thoughtful leader who will be greatly missed," said Gregg Kantor, NW Natural President and CEO.

Incoming chair Hamachek has served on NW Natural's board since 1986. During his 26-year tenure, he served on the governance and audit committees, and chaired the strategic planning committee. "We are honored to have Tod step into the role as chair, and look forward to the leadership he will provide," added Kantor. "As our longest serving director, the continuity, historical perspective and expertise Tod brings is a huge advantage for the company."

Hamachek is the former chairman and CEO of Penwest Pharmaceuticals Company in Danbury, Conn. He currently serves as a director of The Seattle Times Company, The Blethen Corporation, Virginia Mason Medical Center and Virginia Mason Medical System in Seattle. He is also president of the Board of Directors of The Sun Valley Center for The Arts in Ketchum, Idaho. Hamacheck is a graduate of Williams College and Harvard Business School.

NW Natural board also approves to extend share repurchasing program
Additionally, NW Natural's board of directors today extended the company's share repurchase program effective through May 31, 2013. The repurchase program, first authorized in 2000, authorizes the company to purchase up to $100 million in value and up to 2.8 million shares of the company's common stock. Since the program's inception, the company has repurchased 2.1 million shares of common stock at a total cost of $83.3 million.

About NW Natural
NW Natural (NYSE: NWN) is headquartered in Portland, Ore., and provides natural gas service to about 682,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in western Oregon and southwestern Washington. It is the largest independent natural gas utility in the Pacific Northwest. Additional information is available at www.nwnatural.com.

Media Contact:
Kim Heiting
503-220-2366
kah@nwnatural.com

Investor Contact:
Bob Hess
503-226-4211 ext. 2833
bob.hess@nwnatural.com

AltaGas Ltd. Receives Final Approval From Michigan Public Service Commission for SEMCO Acquisition

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:30:14 +0000

AltaGas Ltd. ("AltaGas") (TSX:ALA) (TSX:ALA.PR.A) (TSX:ALA.R) and Continental Energy Systems LLC ("Continental") today announced that the Michigan Public Service Commission ("MPSC") approved the Settlement Agreement for AltaGas' acquisition of Semco Holding Corporation ("SEMCO").

AltaGas previously announced the proposed acquisition of SEMCO on February 1, 2012, subject to receipt of all regulatory approvals. SEMCO is the sole shareholder of SEMCO Energy Inc., a privately held regulated public utility company headquartered in Port Huron, Michigan. SEMCO indirectly holds a regulated natural gas distribution utility in Alaska through ENSTAR Natural Gas Company and an interest in a regulated natural gas storage utility in Alaska under construction called Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska, LLC. SEMCO also indirectly holds a regulated natural gas distribution utility and an interest in a natural gas storage facility in Michigan.

The process for obtaining regulatory approval from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska is progressing with a hearing date scheduled for May 30, 2012.

Closing of the transaction is expected in third quarter 2012 after receipt of all regulatory approvals.

AltaGas is an energy infrastructure business with a focus on natural gas, power and regulated utilities. AltaGas creates value by acquiring, growing and optimizing its energy infrastructure, including a focus on renewable energy sources. For more information visit: www.altagas.ca.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "seek", "propose", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions, as they relate to AltaGas or an affiliate of AltaGas, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among other things, business objectives, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business projects and opportunities and financial results. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect AltaGas' current views with respect to future events based on certain material factors and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, changes in market, competition, governmental or regulatory developments, general economic conditions and other factors set out in AltaGas' public disclosure documents. Many factors could cause AltaGas' actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those described in this news release, including without limitation those listed above. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this news release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, sought, proposed, estimated or expected, and such forward-looking statements included in, or incorporated by reference in this news release, should not be unduly relied upon. Such statements speak only as of the date of this news release. AltaGas does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

AltaGas Ltd.
Investment Community
1-877-691-7199
investor.relations@altagas.ca
AltaGas Ltd.
Media
(403) 691-9873
media.relations@altagas.ca

Shear Wind Receives Order to Extend Annual Meeting Date

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:28:59 +0000

Shear Wind Inc. ("Shear Wind")(TSX VENTURE:SWX) announced that it has been granted an order by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia extending the time for Shear Wind to call the next annual meetings of its shareholders to November 5, 2012. Shear Wind will announce the date and details of the annual meeting of its shareholders once finalized.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Shear Wind in any jurisdiction.

About Shear Wind

Founded in 2005, Shear Wind is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia and is engaged in the exploration and development of renewable wind energy properties in Canada. Shear Wind is focused on building a strong company based on a secure and sustainable supply of clean wind energy. Shear Wind is committed to building shareholder value governed by environmental stewardship. Inveravante Inversiones Universales, S.L., an international corporation based in Spain, indirectly owns 62% of Shear Wind on a fully-diluted basis and 49% of Glen Dhu Wind Energy Limited Partnership through Genera Avante Holdings Canada Inc., following its investment in Shear Wind in November 2009.

Additional information on the various projects may be viewed on Shear Wind's website: www.shearwind.com.

Forward-Looking Statements / Information

This news release may include certain forward-looking information, including statements relating to business and operating strategies, plans and prospects, using words including "anticipate", "believe", "could", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "potential", "project", "seek", "should", "will", "would" and similar expressions, which are intended to identify a number of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information reflects current views with respect to current events and is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking information as a result of a number of material factors, including failure to secure adequate financing to develop projects of Shear Wind. Shear Wind undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as may be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating any forward-looking information.

Shear Wind Inc. trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "SWX".

Shear Wind Inc.
Mike Magnus
President & CEO
Head Office: 902-444-7420
mmagnus@shearwind.com
www.shearwind.com

University of Minnesota Professor Dr. Gerald Shurson to Receive Ethanol Industry Top Honor

Thu, 24 May 2012 19:01:00 +0000

The Award of Excellence Given at the 2012 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

BBI International announced today this year's winner of the 2012 Award of Excellence given to one honored recipient at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop, June 4-7, 2012 in Minneapolis, MN. Hailed as the "Ethanol industry's highest honor," The Award of Excellence, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the fuel ethanol industry through their research, technical advisory and/or development activities.

This year's award recipient is Dr. Gerald Shurson, Professor at the University of Minnesota. Since the early 1990's, Dr. Shurson has provided the academic research for Minnesota and surrounding states ethanol plants demonstrating the efficient use of distillers grains in swine rations, breaking the stigma that distillers grains were ruminant feed only. He set up, and continues to maintain, a web page devoted to providing information on distillers grains: www.ddgs.umn.edu. Dr. Shurson has traveled around the world as a speaker and consultant on the use of distillers grains as a feed. His work with the U.S. Grains Council helped open doors for use of distillers grains in many countries.

"I'm deeply humbled and very honored to receive this award," said Dr. Shurson. "I'm really fortunate to have a career and a position that I very much enjoy. I'd like to thank those who nominated me and provided their support for this award."

"Dr. Shurson has set the standard for innovation and research in the ethanol industry," said Tim Portz, Director of Program Development at BBI International. "What's unique about having Dr. Shurson win is the fact that this year's FEW is taking place in his home state of Minnesota. It couldn't be timelier and more deserved."

Presented by Tom Bryan, Vice President of BBI International, Dr. Shurson will be honored at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, Wednesday, June 6th, 2012 at 8:00 a.m.

To learn more about the 2012 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo visit www.fuelethanolworkshop.com.

About The Award of Excellence
Regarded as the "Ethanol industry's highest honor" by industry professionals, The Award of Excellence recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the fuel ethanol industry through their research, technical advisory and/or development activities. Established in 2000, the Award of Excellence nominations are received from ethanol industry professionals from around the world. Past award winners include: Dr. Bruce E. Dale (Michigan State University), Dr. Raphael Katzen (KATZEN International), Dr. Rodney Bothast (Nat'l Corn-Etoh Research Center), Dennis Vander Griend (ICM Inc.), Dr. Mike Ingledew (Univ. of Saskatchewan), Steve Lewis (Poet), Dr. Jay Shetty (Novozymes), Phil Madson (KATZEN International), Gunter Brodl (Vogelbush USA).

About BBI International:
Founded in 1995, BBI International produces globally recognized bioenergy events and trade magazines. In addition to the International Biomass Conference & Expo, BBI owns and operates the largest, longest-running ethanol conference in the world -- the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW). The company publishes Biomass Magazine, Ethanol Producer Magazine and Biodiesel Magazine, as well as a number of ancillary products including maps, directories, e-newsletters and other Web-based industry resources.

Contact Info:
John Nelson
866-746-8385
Email Contact

DTE Energy exceeding commitments under the Pure Michigan procurement initiative

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:07:43 +0000

DTE Energy exceeding commitments under the Pure Michigan procurement initiative

PR Newswire

DETROIT, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy said today that it spent $239 million with Michigan based suppliers through April 2012 as part of its commitment to the Pure Michigan procurement initiative; this is 24 percent higher than its 2012 year-to-date target and 35 percent higher than the same period in 2011. This follows DTE Energy's 2011 Michigan-based expenditures of nearly $600 million, which exceeded the company's year-end pledged target by over 13 percent.

"DTE Energy's commitment to the Pure Michigan procurement initiative is one way in which we put into action our aspiration to be an engine for growth in the communities that we serve and help fuel Michigan's economic recovery," said Gerry Anderson, DTE Energy Chairman, President and CEO.

In 2011, DTE Energy pledged to shift an incremental $750 million over five years to do business with Michigan based suppliers, as part of this initiative. Announced last summer at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference by Gov. Rick Snyder, the $8 billion dollar public-private program is designed to prepare and develop Michigan suppliers to provide services to companies across the state.

Pure Michigan Business Connect Initiative, which is administered through an alliance with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), also helps companies find new ways to raise capital, get access to a variety of business services and provides business-to-business procurement opportunities.

As one of the initial seven participants in the program, DTE Energy has closed deals with Michigan-based suppliers specializing in many areas, such as construction, maintenance, engineering, energy optimization, renewable energy, natural gas storage, and IT consulting services.

"We believe that Michigan companies can compete with anyone," said DTE Energy CFO Dave Meador. "Doing business with strong third-party contractors that deliver quality products is not only good for DTE Energy, it's just good business."

About DTE Energy

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan; MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan; and other non-utility energy businesses focused on gas storage and pipelines, unconventional gas production, power and industrial projects, and energy trading.

SOURCE DTE Energy

enXco Acquires Pinelands Biomass Project

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company, has closed on the purchase of the Pinelands Biomass Project from Southeast Renewable Energy, LLC (SRE). Pinelands consists of two nominal 17.8 MW generating facilities located in Allendale and Dorchester Counties in South Carolina. Both projects are currently under construction and expected to be fully operational by the end of 2013.

The two projects will interconnect to Santee Cooper's transmission system adjacent to the sites with the generated renewable energy contracted to the utility under 30-year Power Purchase Agreements. "enXco is pleased to work with Santee Cooper and SRE on this excellent opportunity to use waste wood to produce economically attractive renewable energy," said Jim Schretter, Vice President of enXco's East Region.

The projects use a well proven biomass design with a stoker boiler, supplied by Factory Sales Engineering (FSE) and a steam turbine generator supplied by General Electric (GE). Bibb Engineers is the engineer of record and Summit Industrial Construction is the general contractor.

The projects offer important economic benefits to the local community. SRE's Vice President of Business Development Don Cotton said, "Our relationship with enXco has allowed us to realize development objectives for jobs to the local communities with this transaction."

Allendale and Dorchester Counties have substantial and reliable wood supply. The Pinelands project, with a consistent wood demand, will bring significant economic benefits to both counties by contracting with the existing trucking and wood supply industry and creating new jobs.

"Utilizing wood waste to generate electricity is a proven renewable technology that complements enXco's robust portfolio of wind, solar and biogas projects in North America," said Tristan Grimbert, President and CEO of enXco. "Biomass is poised to be a key renewable base load energy resource for South Carolina."

About enXco - an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company:
enXco (www.enxco.com) - an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company (www.edf-energies-nouvelles.com) develops, constructs, owns, operates and manages renewable energy projects throughout the United States. For more than two decades, we have been a leader in wind-energy focusing on large-scale wind projects. Today enXco's portfolio includes solar and biomass technologies, in an effort to help drive our nation's transition to a sustainable energy economy. enXco is a significant owner and developer of wind-energy installations in the United States, and is the leading third-party operations & maintenance provider for wind farms in North America.

Contact:
Sandi Briner
Director of Marketing & Communications
858.521.3525
Email Contact

GDT Tek, Inc. Files DHS 2 Limited Liability Company Agreement

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:36:00 +0000

GDT Tek, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: GDTK) President Bo Linton announced today that GDTK on May 21, 2012 filed its DHS 2 Limited Liability Company Agreement, which provides its members the investment opportunity and its corresponding tax credits that are available to the Company through its renewable energy projects.

Members of the LLC will have the benefit of receiving up to 15% of the amount invested in tax credits. The Projects covered by the DHS 2 LLC are RTR's current Energy Service Agreements (ESA) exclusive of the DHS 1 LLC, which is a 20MW project.

Mr. Linton, President, stated, "Fully funded the DHS 2 LLC will have up to $5,000,000 invested into the LLC. The investment consideration can be either cash and or its equivalent in the Company's stock. We had our first members join earlier this month with expectation that the balance of the membership will be closed within 90 days."

"The goal is to have the LLC members benefit from all available tax credits on both the state and federal level which in turn will benefit GDTK," concluded Mr. Linton.

Mr. Linton will be on the "Money TV" show Friday and describing the Companies progress to date.

About "Money TV": "MoneyTV" with Donald Baillargeon is an internationally-syndicated weekly business television program, reaching 150 million TV households in more than 60 countries. "MoneyTV" debuted in 1996, is now in its 16th year on television and produced and aired its 750th original episode in January. Website: www.moneytv.net

About GDT Tek, Inc.

GDT Tek, Inc. is a Florida-based publicly traded company (PINKSHEETS: GDTK) focused on renewable and sustainable energy technologies. The company has licensed patented waste heat to electric power generation technology and is driving its adoption by power plants, landfills and other waste-heat generating industries. GDT Tek's waste heat to electricity systems are powerful enough to serve as a primary energy source, highly efficient, immediately cash-flow positive when installed under a Power Purchase Agreement and are scalable with system sizes from 150 KW/Hr to 5000 KW/Hr currently available. The GDT Tek system has been proven through a long-term five year installation at a San Jose, California-area landfill. Waste heat captured from landfill-generated methane gas generator engine exhaust and radiator jacket coolant systems is used by the GDT Tek system to generate electricity which is then sold to the grid. Professor Robert W. Dibble of the University of California at Berkeley assessed the GDT Tek system and stated that "Of the many technologies that I have evaluated over the course of the past several decades, GDT Tek's heat to power conversion solution has proven to be the most reliable, versatile, efficient, lowest emissions, and overall cost-effective solution available in today's changing world market."

RTR Global Investments, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of GDT Tek, Inc. Its holds projects, contracts, and power purchase agreements for its parent company GDT Tek, Inc.

GDT Tek, Inc.'s website is www.gdttek.com, which is in the process of being updated; please sign up for our newsletter (http://www.gdttek.com/info-signup.php) for future information about the company.

Safe Harbor Statement: This release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as GDTK or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

Contact:
Investor Relations
info@gdttek.com

Bryan Andrew
Wall Street Media Group
PH. 480-588-8658

Sutron Corporation Consummates Acquisition of IPS MeteoStar, Inc.

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:16:00 +0000

Sutron Corporation (NASDAQ: STRN), a global leader in hydrological, meteorological, and oceanic monitoring products, systems, software and services, announced today that it has consummated the transaction to acquire substantially all of the commercial and operating assets of IPS MeteoStar ("IPSM") for a cash purchase price of $4,175,000, subject to a partial escrow to secure certain representations and warranties.

Dr. Raul McQuivey, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Sutron, commented, "Today is a red letter day and transforming event for Sutron. Together, Sutron and MeteoStar are uniquely positioned to provide the most comprehensive set of monitoring and warning solutions available globally to extend mission-critical services and to assure they are managed, secure and responsive. The combined portfolio will include a broader and deeper range of products, an enhanced commitment to innovation, ensuring next-generation technology solutions, and greater support and resources available worldwide."

Safe Harbor Statement

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include without limitation any statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, as well as statements that include words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should" and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements, including the risks of integration of acquired assets and operations and customer retention Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include those set forth in our filings with the SEC, including the disclosure under the heading "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2012. We are under no obligation to update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:
Sid Hooper
(703)406-2800
Email Contact

EcoFactor Launches Enhanced Homeowner Experience for Effortless Energy Savings

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

New Reports Quantify Energy Savings for Each Individual Home

EcoFactor®, the leading residential energy management company, today announced the next version of its web and mobile user interfaces that make it easier than ever for homeowners to achieve energy savings without sacrificing comfort or devoting a lot of time to managing their energy use. The new features provide more visibility into users' individual energy savings over time, support for English and Spanish language, as well as a seamless experience for homeowners to set up and manage their temperature preferences.

EcoFactor is an automated home energy management service designed to save energy while keeping occupants comfortable. Its patented algorithms learn from and adapt to residents' temperature preferences and each home's individual thermal characteristics, constantly optimizing the energy usage of the heating and cooling system automatically.

Included in the new features are individualized month-by-month energy savings reports. EcoFactor's patented data analytics engine quantifies savings in specific detail for each individual home, for each month. Now users can see how much they've saved with EcoFactor at any time by logging into the new interface. If users just want to save energy but don't really care to dig into the details, they can do that too: EcoFactor works 24/7 to deliver energy savings effortlessly for the homeowner.

"With the latest enhancements to our interface, homeowners can see just how much energy they've saved on a very personal basis -- not just a national or regional average," says Clifford Collio, Product Manager, EcoFactor. "Our users now have personalized insight into the contribution that their heating or cooling system makes to the bottom line on their energy bills. They can see tangible value in the EcoFactor service by seeing those bills go down."

Homeowners can sign up for the EcoFactor service through partner home service providers and utilities. EcoFactor is currently working with partners around the country and announced an agreement earlier this year with Comcast to integrate its service with the Xfinity Home system.

About EcoFactor
EcoFactor is the leading residential energy management company that enables home service providers to offer an intelligent energy management service to their customers. Homeowners get an automated way to reduce energy consumption, save money and stay comfortable, and partners have the opportunity to take advantage of broader initiatives for energy efficiency, demand response and load shaping. The EcoFactor platform uses data from communicating thermostats to determine the unique thermal characteristics of an individual home and automatically optimize the energy use of that home's heating and cooling systems to save energy and money. Currently in homes across the country, EcoFactor continually documents and quantifies energy savings for its users and already has proven to reduce energy consumption of heating and cooling systems by up to 20 percent. Based in Redwood City, Calif., EcoFactor was founded in 2006 to provide an automated alternative to behavior-based residential energy management solutions. The company has been awarded nine patents to date for its residential energy management technology and methodology. EcoFactor is privately held and funded by Claremont Creek Ventures and RockPort Capital Partners.

Media Contacts:
Jason Mandell or Katie Wattie
LaunchSquad
ecofactor(at)launchsquad(dot)com
+1 415 625 8555

Executive management changes announced at Southern Company

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Executive management changes announced at Southern Company

PR Newswire

ATLANTA, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning today announced a number of changes within the company's management team, effective July 1.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080801/SOCOLOGO )

Mark A. Crosswhite will become executive vice president and chief operating officer for Southern Company. He will be responsible for Southern Company's operations, which includes generation, transmission, engineering and construction services, system planning, research and environmental affairs, Southern Power and Southern Wholesale Energy.

Crosswhite will assume the role vacated by Anthony J. Topazi, who has announced plans to retire.

Stanley W. Connally Jr. will replace Crosswhite as president and CEO of Gulf Power, Southern Company's subsidiary that provides electricity and energy services in Northwest Florida to more than 431,000 customers.

John L. Pemberton will succeed Connally as senior vice president and senior production officer of generation at Georgia Power, Southern Company's largest subsidiary serving 2.4 million customers. Pemberton will have responsibility for the company's fossil and hydro generation.

Leigh Davis Perry will replace Pemberton as senior vice president and general counsel for Southern Company operations and Southern Nuclear, Southern Company's nuclear plant operating company.

"Each of these individuals has a depth of experience throughout our system that has prepared them to assume these new leadership positions," said Fanning. "At Southern Company, we take very seriously the responsibility of developing leaders to continue the bench strength required to run our company.

"Moreover, we have been in business for more than 100 years, and these executives are part of a century-old strategy for maintaining consistency, stability and long-term success in our business."

During his 42 years of service, Topazi has held a number of key leadership roles. Prior to his current role, he was CEO of Mississippi Power, where he led the company's recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. In that role, he also served as the primary executive responsible for the business development and government approval of the first Transport Integrated Gasification (TRIG) plant to be built in the Southern Company system.

Additionally, while serving as vice president of Alabama Power's western division, Topazi was one of two designated negotiators who convinced Mercedes-Benz to bring its first North American automobile plant to Alabama.

"Throughout his career, Anthony's unparalleled leadership and drive have led Southern Company and its subsidiaries through some of its greatest challenges," remarked Fanning. "He has served as a voice for our customers, and his singular vision has had a far-reaching influence on the future success of our company and industry."

Crosswhite, 49, joined Southern Company in 2004 as senior vice president and general counsel for Southern Company's generation organization. He previously held leadership positions at Alabama Power in the legal and external affairs organizations. Prior to joining Southern Company, he was a partner in the law firm of Balch & Bingham LLP in Birmingham, Ala., where he practiced in the energy section for 17 years.

Connally, 42, began his career with Southern Company in 1989 as a co-op student at Georgia Power's Plant Yates. He held positions in various functional areas, including customer operations, sales and marketing, and power generation prior to becoming plant manager at Mississippi Power's Plants Watson and Daniel. Connally also was plant manager at Alabama Power, with responsibility for all electric generating units at Plant Barry, Theodore Co-Generation Plant, and Washington County Co-Generation Plant.

Pemberton, 43, served as vice president of governmental affairs in Southern Company's Washington, D.C., office prior to his current role. Before joining Southern Company, Pemberton served as chief of staff for the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Air and Radiation. Prior to joining EPA, Pemberton served as Republican counsel and then chief counsel for the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Perry, 40, is currently vice president of charitable giving for Alabama Power and president of the Alabama Power Foundation. During her career, Perry has held various positions at Alabama Power and Southern Company, including serving as an attorney in the company's Washington, D.C., office. She has held leadership roles in governmental affairs, environmental affairs, economic and community development, generation, compliance, information technology and real estate.

With 4.4 million customers and more than 43,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices below the national average. Southern Company also is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE Southern Company

Lake Lynn Power Station to Donate $3,000 to Volunteer Group

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:07:53 +0000

Lake Lynn Power Station to Donate $3,000 to Volunteer Group

Dollars Fund Shoreline Cleanup and Beautification Project

PR Newswire

AKRON, Ohio, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) Lake Lynn Power Station in southwestern Pennsylvania will donate $3,000 to the Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association (CLEAR) for efforts to remove debris such as large tree branches from the shoreline, improving the lake for swimming, fishing and boating.

"In addition to beautifying the lake, the cleanup helps to continue the safe and reliable operation of the Lake Lynn hydroelectric generating facility because less debris collects on the water behind the dam," said Andrew C. Datsko, manager of the Lake Lynn Power Station.

This year's shoreline cleanup has been completed, and Cheat Lake Park's new beach area is ready for the summer swimming season. Opened in 2011, the beach is available for swimming from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Datsko will present the $3,000 check to CLEAR representatives during a brief ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, May 26 at the beach.

Located in northeastern Monongalia County, W.Va. near Morgantown, Cheat Lake was formed in 1925 by damming the Cheat River to serve the needs of the Lake Lynn Power Station, a 52-megawatt hydroelectric generating facility.

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies comprise one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems. Its diverse generating fleet features non-emitting nuclear, scrubbed baseload coal, natural gas, and pumped-storage hydro and other renewables, and has a total generating capacity of nearly 23,000 megawatts.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives Urge Preparation in Advance of Hurricane Season

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:43:50 +0000

North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives Urge Preparation in Advance of Hurricane Season

PR Newswire

RALEIGH, N.C., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Next week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and to recognize the occasion, North Carolina's electric cooperatives are encouraging residents to create a plan that will help keep their families and homes safe during hurricane season. Tropical Storm Alberto, which formed off the coast of South Carolina last weekend, is an early reminder that all North Carolinians need to have a plan in place now because a reliable plan is your best defense against a major storm.

A smart and dependable plan should include the following items:

Have an evacuation plan ready for your family at a moment's notice. Remember to include pets.
Create a disaster supply kit with medicine and other first-aid items, a two-week supply of bottled water, non-perishable food, a non-electric can opener, cash, credit cards and identification.
Make sure flashlights are in easy reach with fully-charged batteries in case the power is out.
Have a battery-operated radio on hand to listen to weather forecasts and storm updates.

Communicate the plan to everyone in your family and be sure to tune in to your local radio news station during a storm emergency. For more information about storm preparedness, visit www.ncelectriccooperatives.com. North Carolina's electric cooperatives serve over 2.5 million people in 93 of the state's 100 counties.

SOURCE North Carolina's electric cooperatives

Dominion Virginia Power Preparing For Hurricane Season, Urges Customers To Do Same

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:35:34 +0000

Dominion Virginia Power Preparing For Hurricane Season, Urges Customers To Do Same

-- $1.7 billion being spent over two years to enhance reliability, strengthen system

-- Safety tips, alerts available from Dominion on Facebook, Twitter

-- Save money by purchasing hurricane supplies during tax-free holiday May 25-31

PR Newswire

RICHMOND, Va., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power is making sure it's prepared for the June 1 start of hurricane season and urging its customers to get ready, too.

To help keep the lights on, Dominion Virginia Power is spending more than $1.7 billion over about a two-year period to strengthen its electric grid, support growing demand for electricity and improve service reliability for its 2.4 million customers. This initiative is designed to do an even better job of keeping the lights on and restoring service as quickly and safely as possible when they are not.

"We will be ready if it happens," said Rodney Blevins, vice president-Distribution Operations. "We know that when a storm hits, customers count on us to get the power back on safely and as quickly as humanly possible – and that's our goal." Dominion monitors the development and track of hurricanes as far out as possible to make sure it is ready if the storms target the Virginia-North Carolina area.

The company works year-round with state and local authorities to make sure it can respond quickly to the extensive damage that major storms, especially hurricanes, can cause. As the start of hurricane season approaches, Dominion also conducts refresher training and multi-day emergency preparedness and response drills.

Blevins encouraged Dominion Virginia Power customers to also take steps to prepare for hurricane season. He noted that Virginians can save money if they purchase supplies and equipment from May 25-31 when some of it will be exempt from state sales tax. Information is available at: http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=HurricanePreparednessEquipmentHoliday

Here are some important steps for customers to remember:

Dominion's toll-free service number is 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357).
Call if you lose power and use the automated reporting system for fastest access. Please have your account number or the phone number that is listed on your account ready so you can move through the automated system to report your outage or receive an update.
Treat all downed lines and anything touching them as energized and dangerous. Be sure your children know the danger.
Keep needed supplies such as flashlights, water, medicines, portable radios, extra batteries and canned goods on hand.
Look after neighbors and relatives who may need assistance if they lose power.

Dominion uses the latest in communications technology to keep its customers informed about storm threats, damage to the electric system and restoration efforts. Warnings will be posted on the main page of the company's website, www.dom.com, when a major storm is imminent. Warnings, safety tips, and power restoration reports will be available on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/DomVAPower and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dominionvirginiapower.

Customers can keep up with the weather, real-time electric outage maps and restoration information, safety tips and much more at Dominion's online storm center at http://www.dom.com/storm-center/index.jsp . The site also offers a video on what the company does to prepare for storm season, as well as how it works to restore power once the storm passes.

General hurricane preparedness information is available at the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready America website: http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/hurricanes.shtm.

Dominion asks its customers to pay attention to weather reports including those provided by the National Hurricane Center at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

If severe weather is expected, take these common-sense steps to prepare:

Check out the hurricane evacuation guidelines available at the Virginia Department of Transportation's Web site: http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hurricane_default.asp. Also see the information on the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's Web site at: http://www.vaemergency.com/readyvirginia/stayinformed/hurricanes.
Sign up for a "Manage Your Account" online account with Dominion at www.dom.com/service so you can easily report your outage and obtain outage updates on-line without having to call in (keyword if you have an MYA account: reporting outages). Also be sure to update your account with the phone number you plan to use when reporting your outage. Phone numbers can be updated on-line or by calling our special phone number update line at 1-800-222-0401.
If you experience an outage, report it and then turn off major appliances such as heat pumps, water heaters and stoves. Unplug other appliances such as TVs, stereos, microwaves and computers. This will prevent damage to appliances and possible overloads to the company's system when power is restored. Leave one lamp or light on so you will be able to recognize when power is restored.
Follow safe operating procedures for generators. Never operate one inside your home or in an enclosed space, such as a garage. Do not hook them directly to the electrical system of your home. Electricity could flow backwards onto our power lines and endanger repair crews. The correct, safe technique is to plug directly into the generator with proper-sized extension cords.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 27, 500 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system and serves retail energy customers in 15 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

Follow us on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DomVAPower. 'Like' us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dominionvirginiapower.

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power

EnerNOC's New Zealand Ancillary Services Program Honored at PLMA Awards

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:15:00 +0000

EnerNOC and Partners Receive 'Outstanding Program Achievement' Award at NYC Ceremony

EnerNOC, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENOC), a leading provider of energy management applications for the smart grid, today announced that the ancillary services program it has spearheaded in New Zealand with its grid operator and utility partners has been recognized for its success by the US-based Peak Load Management Alliance (PLMA). EnerNOC, along with New Zealand-based Transpower, Meridian Energy, and Genesis Energy, delivers Interruptible Load (IL) in New Zealand's Instantaneous Reserves Market. EnerNOC and its partners received the PLMA Award for Outstanding Program Achievement at PLMA's Spring Conference in New York City on May 23rd.

EnerNOC offers over 120 MW of interruptible load to the Instantaneous Reserves Market in New Zealand's North Island, and is currently expanding into the South Island. Instantaneous Reserves are used to manage the frequency recovery on the grid after an under-frequency event. The IL program has added new reserves to provide fast response to grid-level disturbances as well as diversity in capacity sources, both of which enhance grid reliability. This new resource will enable even more renewable generation to be cost-effectively and reliably integrated into the New Zealand grid throughout the next decade.

EnerNOC's three project partners -- Transpower, Meridian Energy, and Genesis Energy -- each provide unique value in the aggregation of demand response capacity across New Zealand's grid. Their participation has been instrumental to the program's success. As the system operator, Transpower encouraged the entry of an aggregator into the market. Meridian Energy's trading desk helps facilitate EnerNOC's market offers, and Genesis Energy's wholesale trading group participates by purchasing a fixed volume of IL capacity.

To provide reserve capacity, EnerNOC has contracted a robust, diverse portfolio of energy users from industries such as manufacturing, food processing, and cold storage. These users are paid based upon the load reduction they can provide, and when an under-frequency dispatch is triggered, this load is instantaneously removed from the grid. This innovative automated demand response (AutoDR) resource offers benefits over traditional generation sources. For example, EnerNOC's AutoDR participants may be restored in a staggered fashion, which limits the further stress on the grid that would occur if they were all to come back online at once.

The project is an example of the innovation and collaboration required to deliver ancillary services for smart grids. "The collective effort of EnerNOC and the honorees has enabled New Zealand's electricity consumers to be paid to help maintain a reliable and highly renewable electricity supply system," said Tim Healy, Chairman and CEO of EnerNOC. "EnerNOC is proud to see our program being recognized for its contribution to expanding New Zealand's renewable energy resources and the stability of the electric grid."

About EnerNOC
EnerNOC unlocks the full value of energy management for our utility and commercial, institutional, and industrial (C&I) customers by reducing real-time demand for electricity, increasing energy efficiency, improving energy supply transparency in competitive markets, and mitigating emissions. We accomplish this by delivering world-class energy management applications including DemandSMART™, comprehensive demand response; EfficiencySMART™, continuous energy savings; SupplySMART™, energy price and risk management; and CarbonSMART™, enterprise carbon management. Our Network Operations Center (NOC) continuously supports these applications across thousands of C&I customer sites throughout the world. Working with more than 100 utilities and grid operators globally, we deliver energy, ancillary services, and carbon mitigation resources that provide cost-effective alternatives to investments in traditional power generation, transmission, and distribution. For more information, visit www.enernoc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
Statements in this press release regarding management's future expectations, beliefs, intentions, goals, strategies, plans or prospects, including, without limitation, statements relating to the future growth and success of the Company's energy management applications and services, and the ability of customers to derive benefits from those applications and services, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "could increase the likelihood," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is planned," "may," "should," "will," "will enable," "would be expected," "look forward," "may provide," "would" or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of those terms. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including those risks, uncertainties and factors referred to under the section "Risk Factors" in EnerNOC's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that may be filed by EnerNOC from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of such risks, uncertainties and factors, EnerNOC's actual results may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements discussed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. EnerNOC is providing the information in this press release as of this date and assumes no obligations to update the information included in this press release or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Relations:
Sarah McAuley
(617) 532.8195
news@enernoc.com

Investor Relations:
Jennifer Varley
(617) 532.8104
ir@enernoc.com

American DG Energy Operates Green Energy at Club Fit

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

American DG Energy Operates Green Energy at Club Fit

PR Newswire

WALTHAM, Mass., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/-- American DG Energy Inc. (NYSE MKT: ADGE), a leading On‑Site Utility, offering clean electricity, heat, hot water and cooling solutions to hospitality, healthcare, housing and athletic facilities, is now operating a combined heat and power system (CHP) at Club Fit in Jefferson Valley, New York. The value of the agreement to the Company is $3 million.

The clean energy system owned and operated by American DG Energy is a highly efficient 100 kW CHP system tied into Club Fit's existing boiler system and will produce energy in the form of electricity, space heat and domestic hot water for the pool and spa. With American DG Energy's On-Site Utility, Club Fit only pays for the energy used by the facility and avoids all capital, installation, operating and maintenance costs of the energy system. In addition, the energy produced is priced lower than the local utility providing immediate cost savings to Club Fit.

CHP systems are a cleaner energy option, offering considerable environmental benefits when compared with purchased electricity from the grid. By capturing and utilizing heat that would otherwise be wasted from the production of electricity, CHP systems require less fuel while producing the same amount of energy. Using the EPA CHP Partnership emissions calculator, Club Fit's utilization of a CHP system will reduce their carbon emissions by approximately 367 tons per year, or the equivalent of planting 71 acres of forest annually.

Club Fit is a comprehensive health and fitness facility with programs designed to enhance the quality of life and physical well being for community members. Now they are also contributing to the well being of the environment with the reduction in carbon emissions.

On-Site Utility
American DG Energy sells the energy produced from an On-Site energy system to an individual property as an alternative to the outright sale of energy equipment. On-Site Utility customers only pay for the energy produced by the system and receive a guaranteed discount rate on the price of the energy. All system capital, installation and operating expenses are paid by American DG Energy.

About American DG Energy
American DG Energy supplies low-cost energy to its customers through distributed power generating systems. The Company is committed to providing institutional, commercial and small industrial facilities with clean, reliable power, cooling, heat and hot water at lower costs than charged by local utilities – without any capital or start-up costs to the energy user – through its On-Site Utility energy solutions. American DG Energy is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. More information can be found at www.americandg.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, as disclosed on the Company's website and in Securities and Exchange Commission filings. This press release does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities by the Company, its subsidiaries or any associated party and is meant purely for informational purposes. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

SOURCE American DG Energy Inc.