Neptune Helps Utilities Meet, Navigate New Regulations for Stimulus Funding
TALLASEE, AL [May 29, 2009] – Under the Stimulus Plan, the U.S. Federal Government’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has allocated funds to utilities to implement system and infrastructure upgrades in their communities. Neptune Technology Group Inc., whose ARB® Utility Management Systems™ are used by water utilities throughout North America, offers complete compliance with the ARRA “Buy American” provisions for its water metering products and automatic meter reading/advanced metering infrastructure systems.
The ARRA stipulates that “100 percent of the manufactured goods purchased with stimulus funds must be produced in the United States” to be eligible for funding. Due to the many questions regarding the Buy American provision, Neptune has conducted a thorough legal review to identify applicable legal precedents regarding “produced, or manufactured, as the case may be, in the United States”, and is currently providing tools to utilities to help them navigate the regulations.
Neptune President Chuck DiLaura added, “We’re proud to say that our company can meet the Buy American provisions of the ARRA. This further reinforces our vision to be the most valued partner of our utility customers, much like our decision in 2001 to convert 100% of our water meter production to no-lead bronze. By keeping our manufacturing operations here, we’re able to employ more than 580 people who work hard to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality products and systems. Our customers will find that by complying with the ARRA, they’ll be in a much better position to upgrade their systems, now or in the future.”
To clarify eligibility, funding, and compliance issues under ARRA, Neptune has posted a white paper as well as a certificate of compliance on its website, www.neptunetg.com.
About Neptune:
Neptune Technology Group Inc., a pioneer in the development of Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology for more than 43 years, is a leading provider of data collection systems which are used to read more than 59 million meters per month. Since 1892 Neptune has continually focused on the evolving needs of utilities – revenue optimization, operational efficiencies, and improved customer service. Neptune continues to broaden its focus beyond automatic meter reading and metering to include service orders and meter asset management and to extend these capabilities to gas and electric utilities. Neptune provides utility automation software touching over 96 million connected customers throughout North America. For additional information, please visit the company website at www.neptunetg.com.