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Sprint Nextel To Acquire Virgin Mobile USA
KANSAS CITY, MO, (kansascityfrontpage.com), July 29, 2009 - Sprint Nextel Corporation and Virgin Mobile USA, Inc., have announced that their boards of directors have approved a definitive agreement for Sprint to acquire Virgin Mobile USA for a total equity value of approximately $483 million, which includes the value of Sprint's current 13.1% fully diluted ownership interest in Virgin Mobile USA. In addition, at closing Sprint will retire all of Virgin Mobile USA's outstanding debt, which is $248 million net of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2009, but is expected to be no more than $205 million net of cash and cash equivalents on Sept. 30, 2009.

This acquisition will strengthen Sprint's position in the growing prepaid segment by bringing together under one umbrella the iconic Virgin Mobile brand with Sprint's successful Boost Mobile business. These complementary prepaid brands, each with a distinctive offer, style and appeal to different customer demographics, will continue to serve existing and prospective customers following the completion of the transaction.

Following the closing of the transaction, Sprint's prepaid business will be led by Dan Schulman, current Virgin Mobile USA chief executive officer, who will report directly to Dan Hesse, Sprint Nextel president and chief executive officer. Bringing exceptional telecom leadership credentials to Sprint, Schulman will be responsible for the business strategy and growth of the prepaid segment. Matt Carter will continue to lead Boost Mobile and will report to Schulman.

"The acquisition of Virgin Mobile USA positions Sprint for even greater success in the prepaid wireless segment," said Hesse. "Prepaid is growing at an unprecedented rate with consumers keenly focused on value. Virgin Mobile is an iconic brand in the marketplace that will complement our Boost Mobile brand."

"I have known Dan Schulman for many years, and I feel very fortunate that a leader with Dan's talents is joining Sprint to take us to even greater heights in prepaid," added Hesse.

"Virgin Mobile USA redefined the U.S. prepaid segment when we launched seven years ago," said Schulman. "Sprint is committed to growing its prepaid business and this transaction will provide us with the resources and opportunities to compete more aggressively, and strengthen our position in prepaid."

Smith Delivers First Electric Truck for Major US Corporations
KANSAS CITY, (kansascityfrontpage.com), July 29, 2009 - Four major US corporations and two utility companies took delivery of the Smith Newton, the largest road-going electric truck in North America.Coca-Cola, Staples, Frito-Lay, AT&T, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) are the first Newton customers in the USA.

The trucks, conceived by Smith Electric Vehicles in North East England, were handed over at an official ceremony at the seat of power in the USA, Capitol Hill.

Darren Kell, CEO of The Tanfield Group Plc, which owns Smith Electric Vehicles, said: "The electric vehicle technology delivered to these customers today can readily be delivered to fleets in every major town and city in North America. "The Smith Newton provides depot-based truck fleets with a realistic, zero emissions transport solution that both lowers greenhouse gas emissions and helps improve air quality in our urban centres."

Powered by the latest Lithium-Ion batteries and a 120kw electric motor, the Smith Newton has a top speed of 50mph (80km) and a range in excess of 100 miles (160km) on a full charge. It can be recharged in six hours. Newton was launched in the UK by Smith Electric Vehicles in 2006. It is produced in North America by Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation, based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Missouri Senator Kit Bond, who hosted the launch event, said: "These next generation electric vehicles Smith is producing demonstrate exactly the kind of technology we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and end our dependence on foreign oil.

"Missouri is a growing leader in exciting new battery technology, making it an ideal partner for all-electric vehicle manufacturing."

The Smith Newton is emissions-free, runs without noise or vibration, and actually reclaims electric energy during stop-start urban operations, through regenerative braking.

The Smith Newton has a top speed of 50 mph, a range on one battery charge in excess of 100 miles. Three models are produced with gross vehicle weights of 7,500kg, 10,000kg and 12,000kg, providing a payload of up to 7,300kg.

Meridian Way Wind Farm, located in north central Kansas in Cloud County, was constructed by Horizon Wind Energy, LLC, a leading wind energy company, owned by EDP Renováveis, which is the 3rd largest wind energy player in the world.

Missouri Has Fastest Growth in Wind Power Installations
KANSAS CITY, KS (kansascityfrontpage.com), July 29, 2009 - During the second quarter, the U.S. wind energy industry completed a total of 1,210 MW in 10 states, enough to power the equivalent of about 350,000 homes.

These new installations nudge total U.S. wind power generating capacity to 29,440 MW, according to the report. The U.S. wind power generating fleet now offsets an average of 54 million tons of carbon annually, reducing carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2% or the equivalent of taking 9 million cars off the road.

The state posting the fastest growth in the 2nd quarter was Missouri, where wind power installations expanded by 90%.

"Missourians know that in order for us to grow our state's economy and create the jobs of the twenty-first century, we must embrace new technology and advances like the ones presented to us through renewable wind energy," said Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.

"So I'm proud that the American Wind Energy Association's quarterly report shows no state has capitalized on these growth opportunities more aggressively over the last three months than Missouri has. But that isn't enough. Missouri will continue to look for ways to enhance our energy supply and independence by using common-sense and cost effective expansions of clean, renewable wind power."

Pennsylvania and South Dakota ranked second and third in terms of growth rate in the second quarter, expanding by 28% and 21% respectively.

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