RALEIGH, NC - January 19, 2009
Officials of Vancouver, Washington-based Clark Public Utilities and Sensus Metering Systems have announced a definitive agreement for a pilot program deploying the Sensus FlexNet wireless smart grid solution. The decision comes after more than a year of rigorous AMI vendor analysis and competitive selection.
Under the agreement Sensus will deploy its field-proven, licensed-band, two-way fixed RF solution to reach some of the most difficult urban and rural electric and water metering locations across Clark’s 627-square-mile service territory. The agreement also permits Clark and Sensus to expand the deployment following initial pilot success.
The FlexNet system provides Clark with fixed-base communications to Sensus iCon electric smart meters, which enable on-demand reads, remote connect/disconnect services, outage/restore notification and remote firmware upgrades. In addition, Sensus smart water meters will be deployed, and will provide hourly consumption, leak detection, and conservation applications.
A key attribute of the FlexNet solution that swayed Clark officials is that implementation establishes the AMI platform for additional customer experience and Smart Grid related benefits in the future including demand-response initiatives that foster energy conservation.
“We have carefully evaluated a broad base of AMI industry alternatives and Sensus was the unanimous choice of our cross-functional AMI project team” said Michael Harris, Clark’s Director of Information Services. “Our discussions with current Sensus FlexNet customers confirmed our internal analysis that Sensus clearly delivers the single technology solution we require for coverage of our demanding urban and rural territory and for automated electric and water metering, with the power and flexibility for future advanced applications.”
“FlexNet is a real-world solution for smart utilities such as Clark. It will allow them to benefit from a technologically advanced data collection program that will simultaneously reduce operation and maintenance costs while enhancing customer service,” said Bill Yeates, Sensus Executive Vice President for Conservation Solutions.
About FlexNet
FlexNet is the utility industry’s most powerful AMI solution that provides customers with the technology to achieve unmatched results in range, redundancy, resiliency, recovery and reliability. Only FlexNet has primary-use, FCC licensed spectrum, supplying uncluttered transmissions for water, gas and electric utilities in both rural and urban areas, regardless of terrain. FlexNet fits seamlessly into a utility’s operational and customer service strategic plan, enabling communication with a complete range of endpoint devices. FlexNet technology reduces cost, mitigates technology risk, enables pricing flexibility and demand response, and improves operation and maintenance efficiency for forward-thinking utilities. The Sensus FlexNet solution helps utilities improve their customers experience, reduce their carbon footprint and protect their capital investment.
About Clark Public Utilities
Clark Public Utilities is a customer-owned public utility district that provides electric service to more than 182,000 customers throughout Clark County, Washington. The utility also provides water service to about 30,000 homes and businesses.
About Sensus Metering Systems
The Sensus Metering Systems companies are leading world-class providers of water, gas, heat and electric meters including comprehensive metering communications system solutions that comprise both automatic meter reading (“AMR”) and advanced metering infrastructure (“AMI”) systems. Additional linked businesses include Smith-Blair, Inc. a leading provider of pipe clamp & coupling products for the water, gas, and industrial markets; and Sensus Precision Die Casting a producer of complex, high quality die castings.
Issued 1/19/2009
All statements in this release, other than historical facts, are made in reliance on the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. These statements reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding its financial position, revenues, cash flow and other operating results, business strategy, financing plans, forecasted trends related to the markets in which the Company operates, legal proceedings and similar matters. The Company’s expectations expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect. The Company’s actual results could be materially different from its expectations because of various risks. These risks, some of which are discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 333-113658) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2007, include its dependence on new product development and intellectual property, and its dependence on independent distributors and third-party contract manufacturers, automotive vehicle production levels and schedules, its substantial financial leverage, debt service and other cash requirements, liquidity constraints and risks related to future growth and expansion. Other important risks that could cause actual events or results to differ from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to integrate acquired companies, general economic and business conditions, competition, adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment in which the Company operates, and other factors beyond the Company’s control.
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