The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) has named eight companies as finalists for the Edison Award, the electric utility industry’s highest honor, in recognition of outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to the industry.

American Transmission Company, Exelon, Northeast Utilities and The United Illuminating Company were named finalists for the domestic Edison Award, while British Columbia Transmission Corporation, Comisión Federal de Electricidad, Korea East-West Power Company and Korea Midland Power Company were named finalists for the international Edison Award.

The award is presented annually by EEI, and recognizes U.S. and international electric utilities for their innovation and role in advancing the industry.  A committee composed of national industry trade publication editors select the finalists, and a panel of past and current EEI chairmen will select the ultimate winners.

The winners of this year’s award, the 82nd, will be announced June 25 at EEI's Annual Convention and Expo in San Francisco.

EEI President Tom Kuhn made a brief announcement regarding the finalists, saying, “We are very proud to illustrate the accomplishments of all of these companies.  They collectively exhibit their commitment to the environment, desire to operate efficiently, focus on system reliability, use innovative technologies and simply make this a better industry overall.  These companies exemplify the exciting direction our industry is committed to leading into the future.”