As Trans-Elect’s strategic technology provider, ABB will provide state-of-the-art products, services, solutions and consulting to significantly increase the efficiency of the transmission systems Trans-Elect acquires, according to Frederick W. Buckman, Trans-Elect Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Buckman, former president and CEO of PacifiCorp, and H. B. W. Schroeder, Trans-Elect President and Chief Operating Officer, started the Washington, D.C.-based Trans-Elect in 1999. As Trans-Elect evolves into a for-profit national transmission company, ratepayers will benefit from the company’s commitment to increasing system efficiency, reliability and utilization in the wake of dramatic restructuring of the entire electrical utility industry. ABB, a global leader in power transmission and distribution technology, has the resources and expertise to help Trans-Elect achieve that goal. “We are excited to be working with Trans-Elect, another example of the different type of company emerging out of the national restructuring of the U.S. electricity industry,” said ABB Power T&D President Richard Siudek. “Trans-Elect is a leader in its creative efforts to form an independent, nationwide company focused exclusively on transmission, and ABB is happy to support its efforts.” Trans-Elect’s Buckman stated that his company is pleased to have ABB Power T&D as its strategic technology provider. “As we considered companies with which to partner, we were most impressed with ABB Power T&D because it was technologically advanced, forward-looking and most excited about Trans-Elect’s future,” Buckman said. Added Schroeder, “As utility CEOs review FERC Order 2000 this year and develop transmission strategies, ABB’s interest and investment in Trans-Elect enables us to jointly assist utilities in developing those strategies.”