Submetering and Utility Allocation Assn. to set standards.

In response to the utility industry's rapid growth, Raab Karcher Energy Services (RKES), a worldwide leader in utility management and submetering services for real estate customers, has played a key role in the establishment of the National Submetering and Utility Allocation Association (NSUAA), the first national trade organization dedicated to the education, training and creation of industry standards.

"The association is dedicated to educating and disseminating accurate information on the growing submetering industry to its members, as well as real estate owners, managers and developers, said Robert Fincher, vice president of Marketing for RKES and chairman of the founding committee. "The NSUAA will help to set the industry standard for submetering practices by creating a code of ethics and operating guidelines, as well as working with legislators on local, state and national levels in the creation of such standards."

"RKES is investing part of its marketing and legal budget to help the association get off the ground," explained Fincher. "We have learned from our practices in other countries that, by speaking with one voice, we can unify our efforts in establishing common guidelines for suppliers and customers alike."

With a growing national interest in submetering and water conservation as a result of rising water and utility costs, the industry has been inundated with new submetering providers. The NSUAA will provide a central platform for all providers to work together in creating uniform regulations and in educating owners on the ever-changing submetering technology introduced to the market each year.

"The NSUAA will also lead the way in terms of lobbying and work directly with legislators in the development of new laws," added Fincher.

RKES is a business unit of VEBA AG, a $50 billion German conglomerate listed on the NYSE. Founded in 1907 in Denmark, RKES pioneered the first successful submetering system, which enables property managers to monitor individual apartments and bill residents for their actual consumption of water and other utilities based on monthly usage. The RKES Istameter system is dominant throughout Europe, where it is a well known brand name, highly recognized for its precision and reliability. With a worldwide network of sales and service branches in 27 countries, and U.S. offices in California, Arizona, Texas, Oregon/Washington State, Georgia, the Carolinas and Florida, New York and New Jersey, RKES generated revenues of $350 million in 1997.

Providing utility management services for more than 500,000 clients, including top-ranked REITs in the U.S. and Europe's largest property management companies, RKES services over six million residential units through its two main billing and call center operations in Germany and San Diego, CA.