From Sea to Your TV Royal Caribbean International Debuts Commercials StarringReal Guests
From Sea to Your TV, Royal Caribbean International Debuts Commercials StarringReal Guests and Their ‘Why Not’ Moments”Postcards from The Nation of Why Not” Showcase a Cruise Vacation as itHappensMIAMI, July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –With summer in full swing andconsumers carefully weighing possible vacation options, Royal CaribbeanInternational is not just asking travelers “Why Not?” – they are showing them. Beginning July 13, 2009, the innovative cruise line will film and debut anunprecedented series of television spots starring real guests enjoying avariety of “Why Not” experiences onboard Liberty of the Seas during aseven-night Western Caribbean cruise. Dubbed “Postcards from the Nation of Why Not,” this series of “ship to air”commercials will air in select markets during the week of July 13, andnationally begin the week of July 20. From July 13-17, consumers also canvisit to watch the new daily commercial spotand enter a daily drawing to win a cruise, and pursue their very own “Why Not”moments on a Royal Caribbean vacation.”Postcards from the Nation of Why Not”also can be viewed at Royal Caribbean’s Facebook page at. As part of the Nation of Why Not, guests (also known as citizens)have access to do, learn and enjoy activities that are not readily accessiblein day-to-day life or found in one land-based vacation destination.Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currentlyin service and two under construction.The line also offers unique cruisetour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and NewZealand.For additional information or to make reservations, call your travelagent, visit or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Travelprofessionals should go to or call (800) 327-2056.SOURCERoyal Caribbean InternationalHarrison Liu, +1-305-982-2363, , or Tracy Quan, +1-305-539-6577,, both of Royal Caribbean International. Maryland Public Service Commission Filing Includes Plans for Installing 2Million Smart Meters; Anticipated BGE Customer Cost Savings in Excess of $2.6Billion Over the Life of the ProjectBALTIMORE–(Business Wire)–Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) today announced it has filed with theMaryland Public Service Commission (PSC) a comprehensive and advanced Smart Gridinitiative, including the planned installation of 2 million residential andcommercial smart meters, that could potentially save BGE electric and gascustomers in excess of $2.6 billion over the life of the project.
In anextensive pilot program that began in 2008, smart meters and a new pricing planproved that customers can reduce peak electricity usage by about a third andenjoy significant savings. BGE is seeking prompt action by the Maryland PSC andfederal approval of stimulus dollars to position the utility to move to the nextphase of this potential smart grid investment. “This landmark proposal is one of the most ambitious of its kind nationwide,”said Kenneth DeFontes, president and CEO of BGE. “Our Smart Grid initiativeincludes a host of transformational programs and energy management tools thathave the potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our customersand the communities we serve in Maryland. This potential capital investmentwould improve system reliability and, most importantly, help customers conserveenergy and lower their energy bills. “The successful pilot programs we`ve instituted to date demonstrate thatcustomers can make meaningful changes in how they consume energy in response toappropriate education, price signals, information about usage, and economicincentives,” DeFontes said.
“Following the successful rollout of BGE`sPeakRewards and energy efficiency programs, investment in Smart Grid is the nextmajor step in our journey to reducing peak demand and long-term energy costs.” The first phase of BGE`s Smart Grid proposal would be the installation of 2million advanced, or “smart,” electric and gas meters, operating through arobust utility-to-customer, two-way communications network, which forms thefoundation for an automated, digital intelligent grid. The utility is alsoplanning to roll out a new Smart Energy Pricing (SEP) program as its standardrate schedule, which would pay customers rebates for reducing power consumptionduring peak periods. In the pilot of advanced metering technology and SmartEnergy Pricing, participating residential customers reduced their consumptionduring peak periods by 26 percent to 37 percent, saved more than $100 on averageand gave the program a 93 percent satisfaction rating. BGE`s ability to rapidly and most cost-effectively carry out the Smart Gridinitiative depends upon PSC approval and cost recovery in a timeframe that wouldallow the utility to qualify for a competitive Department of Energy (DOE) grantof up to $200 million to partially fund the initiative. BGE anticipates filingits DOE grant application in early August 2009, and it is anticipated that DOEwould begin announcing grant awards in October 2009. The utility estimatesinitial deployment and operating costs of nearly $500 million over five years,and expects that over the project`s lifecycle customer savings will exceed costsby a ratio of more than 3 to 1.
Under the cost recovery mechanism proposed by BGE, the monthly customersurcharge would be 38 cents per month for electric-only customers and 44 centsper month for gas-only customers in the first year of implementation, and thecustomer cost would increase slightly over time as benefits also ramp up. Overthe life of the program, the monthly surcharge would average approximately $1.24and $1.52, respectively, for residential electric and gas customers, and wouldbe reduced based on the award of a DOE grant. Customer savings from reducedenergy and operating costs will be several times greater than the amount of thesurcharge. “The program we`ve developed is essential to addressing the long-term energy andenvironmental objectives of the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency andConservation Act of 2008, which calls for a statewide reduction of 15 percent inper capita electricity usage and peak demand by 2015,” said DeFontes. “SmartGrid is the foundation from which we can build a more efficient and sustainableenergy network in Maryland. It enables large-scale penetration of renewableenergy sources and allows us to begin the testing and research necessary tosupport next-generation transportation innovations, such as plug-in hybridelectric vehicles. “We believe our Smart Grid initiative is tremendously beneficial to ourcustomers and the state of Maryland, and we`re eager to move to the next phaseof this Smart Grid investment proposal with Maryland as our partner,” saidDeFontes.
“We will seek an expeditious review and approval by the Maryland PSCso we can begin providing our customers with the savings, reliability, servicequality and environmental benefits as soon as possible.” BGE, , headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas andelectric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customersand more than 640,000 natural gas customers in Central Maryland. The company’sapproximately 3,000 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery ofgas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation,environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a wholly ownedsubsidiary of Constellation Energy, , a FORTUNE 500 companyalso headquartered in Baltimore, with subsidiaries that generate, sell andprovide other energy-related services to customers throughout North America Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE)Robert L GouldLinda J Foy410-470-7433 Copyright Business Wire 2009. CARVER, Mass.–(Business Wire)–Decas Cranberry Products, Inc of Carver, MA announces the appointment ofCharles B Dillon as Chief Operating Officer Mr. Dillon will replace JeffreyCarlson as President and CEO on January 1st, 2010 when Mr Carlson, the currentPresident and CEO, retires Mr. Carlson will continue to work with the companyin a consulting role Mr. Dillon has a 30 plus year career in the food industry with extensiveexperience in consumer packaged goods.