This certification allows the meters to be used in California for ISO metering applications. The rich features of the ION 8400 and 8500 models have resulted in a new class of billing meter optimized for grid and ISO applications in the era of deregulation. Additionally, the new meters provide information and communications capabilities that can give energy suppliers a competitive edge by helping their industrial, commercial and institutional customers understand their utility consumption, cut energy costs, and reduce downtime. In addition, the meters have also gained approval from California Direct Access. California is the first state in the U.S. to offer large-scale retail choice and a competitive generation market. The Cal-ISO organization was created by the state in 1996 to act as the electricity traffic control center for California's ``electron highway,'' covering 124,000 square miles or three-quarters of the state. Additionally, many other regions of the United States are using the California ISO approved meter list as a benchmark for their ISO applications and approvals, so although this certification is California specific, it leverages ABB's opportunities in other areas of the United States. The ION 8400 and 8500 meters are based on patented ION® technology, an object-oriented architecture that allows more flexibility and extensibility than any existing revenue meters. This is important for simultaneously addressing the varied data and control needs of different utility departments and customers. The ION architecture enables the meter to provide each party with the information or control functions they require. The ION 8400/8500 meters are available now from ABB. For more information, contact ABB Electricity Metering marketing at 919/212-4800 or via e-mail at cust.support@us.abb.com. In addition, specific information on the ISO certification is available on the Cal-ISO Web site at (http://www.caiso.com/clientserv/metering). ABB Electricity Metering of Raleigh, N.C., a division of ABB Automation Inc., creates information technology solutions and infrastructure for electricity meters and meter data management systems. ABB, with U.S. headquarters in Norwalk, Conn., serves customers in automation; power transmission and distribution; oil, gas and petrochemicals; building technologies; and financial services. U.S. operations employ over 16,000 people at manufacturing and other facilities in 40 states. Worldwide, ABB Group reported revenues of $25 billion in 1999. With novel IT applications, tailored software solutions, growing eBusiness, and a fast-expanding knowledge and service base, ABB is building links to the new economy. ABB employs about 160,000 people in more than 100 countries. ION®is a registered trademark of Power Measurement Ltd. of Saanichton (Victoria), British Columbia.