Germantown, Md. and DENVER – June 16, 2009 – CURRENT Group, LLC and Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today announced a new framework that allows electric utilities to integrate intelligent grid sensing with Qwest’s existing low latency, secure, high capacity DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) network to implement a Smart Grid.  This allows utilities to implement a high performance smart grid rapidly, cost-effectively and modularly with the speed, reliability and scalability of the existing Qwest network.  CURRENT and Qwest already have  proven the technology’s interoperability by utilizing CURRENT’s intelligent sensors and OpenGrid™ platform and Qwest’s DSL network as part of Xcel Energy’s SmartGridCity ™ in Boulder, Colo.

The CURRENT Smart Grid™ solution converts the traditional electric grid into an intelligent network by adding sensing, low latency communications and analytic software to the electric distribution system.  Smart Grid systems have the potential to be the single largest contributor to a solution for global warming available today, as the International Energy Agency reports that electric power generation produces 41 percent of total worldwide energy related CO2 emissions.  It is estimated that a Smart Grid could reduce CO2 emissions from electric power by up to 20 percent and a recent report from The Climate Group estimated that a Smart Grid provides the largest CO2 reduction of any IT technology investment in the world.

“Working with Qwest’s robust IP network, we have further reduced the cost of a Smart Grid and today, we introduce an attractive option for utilities interested in using the stimulus funding to implement a Smart Grid and manage the two-way power flow of the future,” said Tom Casey, Chief Executive Officer of CURRENT.  “We are committed to providing utilities the most open, cost-effecwith options to achieve the optimal cost and performance under various conditions.” 

“Our work to date proves that Qwest’s broadband network offers a cost–effective, rapidly deployable means of transporting the intelligence of the CURRENT Smart Grid solution” said Neil Cox, Qwest’s executive vice president of Product Development and IT. “The CURRENT/Qwest model is an inherently green and ‘smart’ approach.” 

Xcel Energy’s SmartGridCity™ in Boulder, Colo., is the nation's first fully integrated Smart Grid community.  

CURRENT and Qwest will offer similar solutions to additional utilities and municipalities. 
About CURRENT (www.currentgroup.com)
CURRENT provides electric utilities a Smart Grid solution that increases the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid while reducing the environmental impact of electric usage.  CURRENT’s scalable solution combines advanced sensing technology, two-way low latency communications and enterprise analysis software and related services to provide location-specific, real-time actionable data that is easily integrated into a utility’s existing IT infrastructure. 

CURRENT is a member of the Xcel Energy SmartGridCity™ consortium that also includes Xcel Energy, Accenture, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Ventyx, GridPoint, OSIsoft and SmartSynch.  Xcel Energy’s SmartGridCity™ is utilizing the fully integrated CURRENT Smart Grid™ solution that combines advanced sensing technology with two-way real-time enterprise analysis software and related services to provide Xcel Energy with location-specific, actionable intelligence on its electric distribution grid.  
   
CURRENT, a private company, was founded in 2000 and has blue chip investors including EnerTech Capital, Google Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Liberty Associated Partners (an investment partnership between Liberty Media Corporation and the Berkman family) among others.  CURRENT’s progress has been recognized by numerous awards including the World Economic Forum 2009 Technology Pioneer, the GoingGreen East 50 Top GreenTech Companies, Dow Jones 2008 Ten Most Innovative Clean Tech Companies in Europe, 2006 Platts’ “Global Energy Commercial Technology of the Year” for its technology in relation to emissions reduction, practicality, reliability and overall commercial success, and Red Herring’s 2006 “Top 100 North America.”

About Qwest
Customers coast to coast turn to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber-optic network and world-class customer service to meet their communications and entertainment needs. For residential customers, Qwest offers  a new generation of fiber-optic high-speed Internet service, as well as digital home phone, Verizon Wireless, and DIRECTV® services.  Qwest is also the choice of 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies, offering a full suite of network, data and voice services for small businesses, large businesses, government agencies and wholesale customers. Additionally, Qwest participates in Networx, the largest communications services contract in the world, and is recognized as a leader in the network services market by a leading technology industry analyst firm.
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Current Media Contact: 
John Moore 
(202) 683-3110 
JMoore@qorvis.com

Qwest Media Contact:
Kate Oravez
303-965-0231
Kate.oravez@qwest.com