NorthWestern, once a holding company for several energy-related businesses, is now blowing in one direction only -- providing power and gas through regulated utilites. Through its NorthWestern Energy subsidiary, the company provides electricity and natural gas to about 661,000 customers in Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota. In Montana it delivers electricity to approximately 335,000 customers in 187 communities and surrounding rural areas, 15 rural electric cooperatives, and in Wyoming to the Yellowstone National Park. NorthWestern delivers gas to 180,100 Montana customers. In Nebraska and South Dakota it sells natural gas to 85,5100 customers.

FERSA Energias Renovables has found being green isn't too difficult. The Spanish holding company invests in and operates companies that produce electricity utilizing such renewable energy resources as wind power, solar energy, and biomass. The company's holdings span the European continent with investments in wind farms in Spain, Estonia, and Italy as well as holdings in Panama, India, and China. Holdings include Eolica el Pedregoso, Elolica de Pino, Parque Eolico Hinojal, Enrilews, and OU Est Wind Power. The company also has holdings in solar power and biomass operations in Spain through Invetem Mediterranea and Gestora Fotovoltaica de Castellon.

Although South Central Power Company may sound like a power plant in Watts, Los Angeles, it is in fact a member-owned cooperative that provides electricity to consumers and businesses in southern Ohio. An affiliate of the nationwide Touchstone Energy Cooperative network, the electric cooperative provides power to more than 110,000 customers over more than 11,000 miles of power lines. In addition to distributing electricity, South Central Power also provides outdoor lighting, surge suppression products, security systems, water heater switches, and other energy-related services.

Southern California Edison (SCE) distributes electricity to a population of more than 13 million people in central, coastal, and Southern California (excluding Los Angeles and some other cities in the regions). The utility's system consists of about 12,000 circuit miles of transmission lines and more than 113,500 circuit miles of distribution lines. SCE also has 5,500 MW of net generating capacity from interests in nuclear, hydroelectric, and fossil-fueled power plants; it sold most of its fossil-fueled facilities in response to the state's deregulation legislation. The utility sells excess power to wholesale customers. SCE is a subsidiary of Edison International.

Brazos Electric is a 3,219 megawatt generation and transmission cooperative whose members' service territory extends across 68 counties from the Texas Panhandle to Houston. Organized in 1941, Brazos Electric was the first cooperative formed in the Lone Star state for the purpose of generating and supplying electrical power. Today, it is the largest generation and transmission cooperative in Texas. Brazos Electric is the wholesale power supplier for its 16 member-owner distribution cooperatives and two municipal systems.

San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), which is in charge of supplying about 90% of San Diego County's potable water supply (mainly from the Colorado River). Formed in 1944, the authority provides water to its 24 member agencies (primarily cities and municipal districts), which in turn distribute the water to residents and businesses in the county. SDCWA also has hydroelectric power generation operations.

Yankee Gas Services does not ride a pony into town like a Yankee Doodle Dandy, but it does pipe a lot of natural gas to 71 central and southwest Connecticut towns and cities. With approximately 205,000 commercial, industrial, and residential customers, the company, a subsidiary of Yankee Energy System (which is itself a unit of Northeast Utilities), is the largest natural gas distributor in Connecticut. Northeast Utilities Service Company, also a subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, performs administrative and accounting duties for Yankee Gas Services.

Canadian Utilities is the strong arm of diversified energy company ATCO and accounts for most of its sales. Canadian Utilities' regulated utilities operations are ATCO Gas, which distributes natural gas to more than 1 million customers in almost 300 communities in Alberta, and ATCO Electric, which provides electricity to about 207,000 customers. ATCO Pipelines provides natural gas transportation services to producers, major industrial users and gas distribution companies in Alberta. Canadian Utilities' Energy unit (including ATCO Power, ATCO Midstream and ATCO Energy Solutions) manages power generation and pipeline activities. The Technologies segment provide business systems solution through ARCO I-Tek.

RainSoft (a division of Aquion Water Treatment Products) wants to clear up the water in your home or office. Through its division, the company makes residential and commercial water treatment equipment. Products include whole-house water conditioning systems, drinking water systems, and filters designed to remove particular contaminants that detract from water's taste and odor. RainSoft's products are distributed through a network of about 300 independent dealers in the US and in 24 countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Clients have included Allstate , Dow Chemical, Ford Motor, Holiday Inn, and Underwriters Laboratories.

Emera is an emerging force in a new energy era. Subsidiary Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) generates, transmits, and distributes more than 97% of the electricity in Nova Scotia, where it serves 486,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Most of NSPI's more than 2,290 MW generating capacity is from fossil fuel plants. Emera has electric utility operations into the US through its Maine-based Bangor Hydro-Electric, which serves about 117,000 customers. It markets wholesale energy and provides asset management services. Emera owns Brunswick Pipeline (which ships LNGs), and has a minority stake in Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline (natural gas). It also has minority stakes in utilities in the Caribbean.

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