KLD Releases Its First Report for Electric and Natural Gas Utilities Sector

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - November 16, 2007) - KLD Research & Analytics, Inc., the leading authority on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) research for institutional investors, has released its first in a series of new industry-specific research products: the Electric and Natural Gas Utilities Sector Report.

"Sector analysis provides investors with a layer of insight to uncover hidden risks and value potential," said Noel Friedman, Managing Director of Research Products at KLD. "The KLD Sector Report methodology identifies the key ESG risks to companies in the sector, and delivers ratings and rankings, blending quantitative and qualitative assessment of ESG performance in relation to company peers."

Some of the criteria for KLD's analysis include:

--  Absolute and relative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
--  Investments in clean energy
--  Policy in relation to the expansion of nuclear power
--  Nuclear power management policy
    

Of the 14 companies in the report, Scottish & Southern Energy has the greatest potential opportunity to benefit from tighter GHG emissions standards. Heavy coal users such as Duke Energy will be the most challenged.

"As governments tackle climate change and introduce increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emissions regulations, those utilities with the highest emissions will face increasing risks of higher costs and competitive disadvantages," said Andrew Brengle, Senior Research Analyst at KLD.

"Companies investing in energy conservation and low emission technologies today could be positioning themselves to take advantage of the market opportunities of tomorrow," Brengle continued.

The KLD Electric and Natural Gas Utilities Report will be available through FactSet Research Connect and through direct purchase from KLD. A KLD webinar on the Report is planned for December 2007.

About KLD Research & Analytics, Inc.

KLD Research & Analytics, Inc. is an independent investment research firm providing management tools used by professionals to integrate social, environmental and governance factors into their investment strategies.

Since 1988, institutional investors, managers, trustees, consultants and advisors have depended on the quality and expertise of KLD. Today, 31 of the top 50 institutional money managers worldwide use KLD's corporate accountability research and ratings, performance benchmarking tools and consulting services.

For more information, visit www.kld.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Amy Blumenthal/Karen Myers Blumenthal & Associates (617) 879-1511 Noel Friedman KLD Research & Analytics, Inc. (617) 426-5270