Itron, SmartSynch Team to Complete Madison Gas & Electric's Automated Meter Reading(AMR)Program

Spokane, WA — September 8, 2003

SPOKANE, WA – September 8, 2003 – Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today an agreement with Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) for the Wisconsin-based utility to purchase 1,200 solid-state electricity meters equipped with SmartSynch's SmartMeter™ technology.

MGE becomes one of the first combination utilities (gas/electric) in the nation to fully automate all its meters with technology from Itron. MGE recently completed automation of nearly 250,000 residential electric and gas meters using Itron automatic meter reading (AMR) technology. MGE purchased Elster A3 meters to complete its full automation.

“This agreement completes a strategy developed by Madison Gas & Electric to offer all our customers the benefit of automation,” said Jim Bidlingmaeir, Vice President of Administration and Chief Information Officer for MGE. “This technology will provide us with a vital link to our larger energy customers and deliver the timely data we need to better manage costs, improve operations and provide a higher level of service to this critical customer segment.”

Itron is the exclusive distributor of SmartSynch’s SmartMeter System™ for commercial and industrial metering applications. The SmartMeter System monitors real-time energy usage and transmits the data via public, wireless communication networks to the SmartSynch Transaction Management System (TMS) software. The TMS software interfaces directly to Itron’s MV-90 head end, the industry standard for collecting and managing C&I meter data. In addition, the SmartMeter System’s “under glass” technology provides cost-effective, expedited deployment of two-way communications capability from leading solid-state commercial electricity meters.

“Madison Gas & Electric is leading the pack in the industry with full meter automation,” said Russ Vanos, Vice President and General Manager of Itron’s Electric Systems Business Unit. “C&I solutions from Itron provide utilities with the real-time data required to offer new rates and innovative services to commercial and industrial customers, improve delivery system efficiency and reliability, and work with customers to proactively manage energy usage and load should system or market conditions require it.”

MGE’s decision to purchase SmartSynch technology through Itron represents a significant addition to the Mississippi-based company’s install base.

“The SmartMeter System provides MGE with a valuable asset to improve customer service, lower operating costs and provide value-added services to their commercial and industrial customers,” said Mark Rodgers, CEO of SmartSynch. “MGE’s purchase of the SmartMeter System through Itron is a great example of how electric utilities are benefiting from the integration of Itron’s broad portfolio of solutions and SmartSynch's SmartMeter System.”

About Itron
Itron is a leading technology provider and critical source of knowledge to the global energy and water industries. More than 2,800 utilities worldwide rely on Itron technology to deliver the knowledge they require to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Itron delivers value to its clients by providing industry-leading solutions for meter data collection, energy information management, demand side management and response, load forecasting, analysis and consulting services, transmission and distribution system design and optimization, web-based workforce automation, C&I customer care and residential energy management. To know more, start here: www.itron.com.

About SmartSynch
SmartSynch, an energy technology company based in Jackson, MS, is the leading provider of smart metering solutions to the energy and utility industry. Its core product, the SmartMeter System, enables energy and utility companies to communicate with commercial and industrial electricity meters using wireless communications and the Internet. The SmartMeter System manages the delivery of critical information to any application system, workstation, computer, or browser enabled personal communications device. For more information, visit www.smartsynch.com.

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