ANAHEIM, CA (July 30, 2008) - Anaheim Public Utilities today dedicated $83 million in state-of-the-art electric system improvements with the unveiling of its new Vermont Substation and major upgrades at Lewis Substation. This project will maintain Anaheim’s identity as the region’s sports, entertainment and business center destination.

With the completion of these improvements, Anaheim extended both the useful life and power distribution capacity of the city that will keep pace with its growth for decades to come. To augment Anaheim’s ability to receive power and also back up Lewis Substation, which was built in 1974, Vermont Substation was constructed using state-of-the-art Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) technology that uses only a fourth of the space required for a conventional, air-insulated substation design. Saving space is a critical aspect for dense urban cities like Anaheim where space is at a premium.

“Today, our municipal electric utility is celebrating another giant leap forward with the addition of a new substation and a major upgrade of one of our long-standing electric facilities,” Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle told an audience of more than 100 invited guests that included city and utility leaders, as well as project team members. “Together, these two projects provide our community with an unprecedented level of reliable electric service by enhancing our ability to supply power to our residents.”

“While building the necessary infrastructure for our future is obviously a priority for our management team, they also take pride in finding ways to positively impact surrounding neighborhoods,” said Marcie Edwards, general manager for Anaheim Public Utilities. “With that in mind, we have put about 12 circuit miles of power lines underground for both reliability and aesthetic improvements. We’ve constructed a new wall to enclose the facilities for better security and visual aesthetics. And, we’ve resurfaced streets that had supported our construction traffic to basically leave the area better than its original condition.”

Anaheim received national attention a couple years ago when it built Park Substation, the first underground electric substation in the United States with a park on the land above it. In the coming months, Anaheim Substation will be replaced, also using GIS technology. This facility will be enclosed within an above-ground structure designed to fit in with the historical architectural theme of the surrounding downtown Anaheim neighborhood.

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PHOTO 75 CAPTION—Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Bob Hernandez cuts the ribbon Tuesday at the dedication of the new Vermont electric substation. Joining the festivities are Anaheim Public Utilities General Manager Marcie Edwards (left) and Anaheim Council Member Lucille Kring.

PHOTO 83 CAPTION—Helping celebrate the dedication of Anaheim’s new Vermont Substation are Anaheim Public Utilities General Manager Marcie Edwards (center) and (from left) Anaheim Public Utilities Board Members Marcia Garten, Jordan Brandman, Pat Carroll and Lon Cahill.