Edison Awards

Edison Awards

Oct 01 - Electric Perspectives

In recognition of innovation in expanding the markets for coal combustion products (CCPs), Wisconsin Energy Corporation, the parent company of We Energies, is the 2004 winner of the Edison Award, the electric power industry's highest honor.

The Milwaukee-based company received the award at Edison Electric Institute's (KF.I'S) annual convention in Orlando last June.

As recently as 1980, We Energies discarded into landfills 95 percent of the fly ash and bottom ash generated at its powerplants. To expand the market for using CCPs, we researched, developed, and patented four reliable processes to reburn recovered landfilled ash-eliminating the need to use scarce land for additional (and expensive) fills while creating commercially-viable products. Today, We Energies markets and uses 645,000 tons of CCPs per year, finding productive uses for 98 percent of these materials-the highest rate in the industry. These CCPs have been used extensively in pavement, structural fill, and as a concrete aggregate in a variety of building projects-including Milwaukee's Art Museum, Miller Park stadium, and Green Bay's Lambeau field.

"A hallmark of this industry is a spirit of innovation and leadership," said EEF president Thomas R. Kuhn. "Wisconsin Energy embodies these and other key traits, and we commend the company's management and employees for their eagerness to chart a new course into the future."

Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI.

ScottishPower took top honors in the international category, due in large part to strong operational performance in delivering improved customer service while achieving excellent financial growth. The company had introduced a new cappedprice product which protects customers against rate increases for the duration of the contract. If rates decrease, however, the customer reaps the cost savings. The initiative helped grow the company's customer base by more than 600,000 over 12 months. ScottishPower also posted strong financial results last year. The company showed an operating profit equivalent to $2.1 billion, a 6-percent increase over the same period in 2002 and 2003.

"Winning this prestigious award is a tremendous tribute to the hard work of all our staff on both sides of the Atlantic," said the company's CEO, Ian Russell. "We believe maintaining the highest level of customer service is vital for business success."

At the conference, Wayne Brunetti, chairman and CEO of Xcel Energy was elected chairman of EEI. Michael G. Morris, chairman, president, and CEO of American Electric Power was elected first vice- chairman; and James E. Rogers, chairman, president, and CEO of Cinergy, was elected second vice-chairman.