ATCO Electric Garners 2005 International Edison Award For Innovative Design, Environmental Stewardship

Las Vegas, NV () - In recognition of the company’s leadership in balancing the critical need for additional transmission infrastructure with environmental considerations, Edmonton, Alberta-based ATCO Electric garnered the top spot in the international category for the electric power industry's highest honor, the Edison Award.

The prestigious prize is given annually by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) to the U.S. shareholder-owned and international members that have made significant contributions to the advancement of the industry. A panel of academics and past and current EEI chairmen select the finalists and ultimate winners. This year's award, the 77th, was presented today to ATCO Electric at EEI's annual convention here in Las Vegas.

“Included in the many traits that set this industry apart from others is a willingness to experiment with new processes and techniques to get the job done,” said EEI President Thomas R. Kuhn. “ATCO Electric embodies such a spirit of innovation, as evidenced by their continued success.”

ATCO Electric faced the daunting task of building a much-needed transmission line to link Dover and Whitefish.  Spanning a distance of more than 200 miles, much of it through environmentally sensitive areas, the project called for a new 240 kV line as well as three substations. 

Utilizing innovative mapping techniques, just-in-time engineering, and a state-of-the-art screw anchor and tower design, ATCO Electric completed the project in just ten months, on-time and on-budget.  Moreover, to minimize environmental impact, much of the construction activity occurred during below-zero winter months, while the local bog-like ecosystem was frozen.  ATCO also went to great effort to protect traditional Native lands, and took pains to share project benefits with the Aboriginal people by involving them in the project from the beginning.

“Not only did ATCO employees bring online a major transmission project with a minimal footprint, they also engaged all interested stakeholders from the beginning, producing a win-win situation for all,” said Kuhn.  “It is a privilege to honor ATCO and its employees with the 2005 International Edison Award.”

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The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies. Our members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry. We also have more than 65 International electric companies as Affiliate members, and more than 170 industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate members.