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Dec. 22, 2011

Leading-edge GIS Applications in Utility Environments
Utilimetrics
Geospatial technology evolved from a highly specialized, niche-oriented application to a much broader-based platform widely used in government agencies, private-sector companies and utilities. It has become an essential tool for improving service levels, providing for increased infrastructure protection, enabling enhanced emergency response and serving to integrate enterprise solutions.More

2012 Peer-to-Peer Webcast Series to Feature Critical Topics and Industry Subject Matter Experts
Utilimetrics
Utilimetrics is planning webcasts throughout 2012 that will cover critical topics for electric, water and gas municipal, electric cooperative and investor-owned utilities.

Save the date for our first webcast of the year at 1 p.m. CST Jan. 18. The webcast, Empowered Customers Smarter Grid: SDG&E's Smart Meter Program, is presented by Farrell Cox, San Diego Gas & Electric. He will discuss: Join your colleagues at 1 p.m. CST Feb. 15 for Realizing the Benefits of AMI: DTE Energy's Experience. Joe McCormick, DTE Energy, is the featured presenter. His discussion will include: Utilimetrics members can participate in webcasts for free. There is a $95 charge for nonmembers. Registration information will be available soon.

If you are interested in presenting a webcast, contact Debby Scheck.More

Why I Belong to Utilimetrics
Utilimetrics
"These are just a few of the reasons why I belong to Utilimetrics:

A member of the Utilimetrics Board of Directors since 2009, Rob Wilhite is global director/senior vice president management and operations consulting, KEMA.

Discover why membership in Utilimetrics is the best investment your company can make.

Take advantage of what Utilimetrics membership has to offer and join today. For more information or to apply, click here.More

Thanks for Renewing
Utilimetrics
Thanks to the following member companies that have renewed for 2012 in the past week. Your support of Utilimetrics is sincerely appreciated.

Atco Electric Ltd. (7-year member)
Guideline (3-year member)
Integrys Energy Group (7-year member)
Secure Meters (UK) Ltd. (8-year member)
Tesco (2-year member)
Veolia Water NA (7-year member)
Wipro Technologies (3-year member)

Utilimetrics relies on membership dues to meet the growing education, information and networking needs of our members. Without your support we cannot continue to provide the exceptional programs and services that members have been enjoying for 25 years. If you have not yet renewed your membership for 2012, please contact Donna Stevens today.More

1st Autovation 2012 Exhibitors Announced
Utilimetrics
Thanks to the following companies that have already reserved their exhibit space for Autovation 2012. We appreciate your support and look forward to a very successful 25th Anniversary conference and expo.

These companies also have been named Utilimetrics 25th Anniversary Supporters. Reserve your exhibit space and pay a minimum $1,500 by Dec. 23 and your company will be listed as a Utilimetrics 25th Anniversary Supporter throughout 2012. Contact Dan Corcoran, +1.312.541.0567.

Exhibit Application
Floor PlanMore

Paper Proposals Due Soon
Utilimetrics
There is still time to submit your paper proposal for Autovation 2012. Share your case studies, best practices and lessons learned with peers from around the world. Consumer engagement, data analytics and operations are just a few of the many areas Autovation 2012 will cover. Click here for information. If you have questions, contact Debby Scheck, +1.847.227.0477.More

Southern California Edison Confirms Names of Victims in Irwindale Incident; Will Open Fund for Families
Southern California Edison
Our thoughts are with SCE, its employees and their family members.

Southern California Edison confirms that employees Robert Scott Lindsay and Henry Serrano were fatally shot on Friday, Dec. 16, at its Rivergrade facility in Irwindale. Two other employees were injured in one of the most horrific events the company has experienced in its 125-year history.

Lindsay, 53, from Chino Hills, was a manager in the information technology area with 29 years of service and Serrano, 56, from Walnut, was a manager in the same area and had contributed 26 years of service to the company. Police have informed the company that employee Andre Turner, 48, from Norco, was responsible for the shooting and took his own life.

SCE employee Angela Alvarez, 46, from Glendale, and contractor Abhay Pimpale, 38, of Montebello, were injured during the incident and are being treated. The company will continue to provide updates in the days ahead to the extent available.

SCE appreciates the outpouring of support from the community at this difficult time. The company is providing grief counselors for employees and families. The company also is establishing a fund to support the families involved.

Edison International, SCE's parent company, will donate $100,000 to seed the fund and also will match employee contributions.

The Rivergrade facility currently is closed, and only certain authorized employees will be allowed back into the building at this time.

Steven Conroy, director of corporate communications, is at the Rivergrade facility and is available for media inquiries. SCE requests the media be respectful of the families involved and direct all media inquiries to 626.302.2255. Click here for the announcement from SCE.More

Itron, Panasonic Partner to Address Smart Metering Projects
Itron
Itron Inc. and Panasonic have announced a partnership agreement to design and deliver highly innovative gas smart metering solutions to utilities in Europe. Given the EU target requiring that at least 80 percent of homes have a smart meter fitted by 2020 and the growing public concern for energy use reduction, the demand for gas smart metering solutions for residential applications is expected to grow rapidly. In response to this, Itron has partnered with a worldwide leader in electronic products, Panasonic, to collaborate on the development of its next generation smart gas meter. More

India to Emerge as 3rd-largest Smart Grid Market
The Hindu
The IEEE Standards Association, the standards development body of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, predicts India will emerge as the world's third-largest smart grid market after the United States and China.More

Taiwan to Increase Investment in Smart Power Grid
Central News Agency via Taiwan News
The government of Taiwan plans to invest an additional $4.28 billion in smart power grid infrastructure beginning in 2012, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. A digitally enabled power grid that can deliver electricity by using two-way communication will improve the efficiency, quality and reliability of the power supply system, the MOEA's Bureau of Energy said in a statement. More

DOE Puts $7 Million into Hydrogen Storage
Earth Techling
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, one of the biggest challenge in the development of fuel cell electric vehicles is in how to store enough hydrogen — within the constraints of weight, volume, durability, efficiency and, particularly, total cost — to give the vehicle adequate driving range. This is a challenge the DOE's Los Alamos National Laboratory has been addressing, and now the DOE is extending the effort by awarding $7 million to fund four projects focused on developing safe, effective and economical hydrogen storage systems. More

Feds Rejecting Progress Energy-Duke Energy Merger
St. Petersburg Times
Federal regulators have rejected Duke Energy's proposed multibillion-dollar merger with Progress Energy, the parent of Progress Energy Florida. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said the two companies would retain too much control over power generation while making it difficult for other utilities to buy electricity from them, particularly in the Carolinas.More