You continue to be a tremendous resource for this burgeoning industry by chronicling what is happening today and scanning the future as well.

I agree with the assessment that regulators will be very focused the realization of benefits from smkart grid deployments. I always wanted to have a positive outcome or story for consumers. There is always going to be political pressure on regulators to either do no harm, or if they pursue ambitious steps like smart grid that there be clear benefit for consumers.

I think for utilities performance based ratemaking can be a very positive thing. Especially those utilities that embrace the organixational/business process changes that come with smart grid technology. The cutting edge utilities will do well by being measured and benchmarked. I suggest for regulators they pursue these sorts of plans and also be willing to reward utilities financially when they perform at a high level. That is how competitive industry is rewarded when they successfully innovate.

David O'Brien

Bridge Energy Group