Cooper Power Systems Hails Iowa Law Encouraging Use of Safer, Biodegradable Soy-Based Products in Power Transformers.

WAUKESHA, Wis. -- Cooper Power Systems commends the state of Iowa for approving legislation encouraging utilities to take advantage of all of the safety, environmental and economic benefits that soy-based transformer fluids offer. The Iowa state legislature today unanimously passed bill SF - 2402, creating a tradable tax credit for electric utilities that use a soy-based transformer fluid. [R][sup.3]"This legislation is due largely to Waverly Light and Power of Waverly, Iowa," said Jack McCall, marketing manager, Cooper Power Systems. "By testing and adopting exclusive use of soy-based fluids in all of their transformer applications, Waverly Light and Power has shown great dedication for the good of its public and the environment. We commend the state government for encouraging other utilities to follow Waverly's lead." [R][sup.3]The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued Envirotemp FR3 fluid an Environmental Technologies Verification, confirming its environmental attributes. Envirotemp FR3 fluid has shown to be non-toxic, and has the EPA's highest classification for biodegradability. Because the fluid has excellent fire-resistant qualities, Underwriters Laboratories (UL(TM)) and Factory Mutual(R) (FM) allow Envirotemp FR3 transformer installations indoors and outdoors, typically without the costly fire protection required of petroleum-filled transformers. [R][sup.3]More than 70 municipal and rural electric cooperatives are using Cooper Power Systems' Envirotemp FR3 today in more than 12,000 new and retrofilled transformers. Utilities such as Alabama Power, Baltimore Gas & Electric, Monroe County (St. Louis, Mo), Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Seattle City Light and Tipmont REMC (Lafayette, Ind.) have already switched from mineral-based to biodegradable dielectric fluid. [R][sup.3]"The Iowa legislation demonstrates that the use of soy-based fluids, like Cooper Power Systems' Envirotemp FR3 fluid, is a growing trend in the industry," said Patrick McShane, Cooper Power Systems' dielectric fluids product line manager. "Along with the other utilities that are utilizing Envirotemp FR3 nationwide, this type of legislation will greatly expedite the process of making soy-based transformer fluids the industry norm, improving public safety in an environmentally-friendly way."

[R][sup.3]Company Information

[R][sup.3]Cooper Power Systems

[R][sup.3]Cooper Power Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of Cooper Industries, Ltd. (NYSE:CBE), a diversified worldwide manufacturer of products for the electrical, commercial and industrial markets. Cooper Power Systems manufactures distribution transformers, distribution switchgear, reclosers, capacitors, protective relays, voltage regulators, automated switches, cable accessories, surge arrestors, transformer components and dielectric fluids, fuses and tools and it provides engineering services for the electrical and industrial markets. For more information, go to www.cooperpower.com or call 1-877-CPS-INFO.