“We are a leading provider of RATA testing services for electric utilities
and certain large industrial facilities that must operate continuous
emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) to measure stack gas flow velocity,” said
Mike Brown, general manager of USTI.
United Sciences Testing, Inc (USTI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of American
Electric Power (AEP). An AEP subsidiary since January 2002, USTI provides
Relative Accuracy Test Audit (RATA) services for AEP and other utilities
and USTI also leases its proprietary technological equipment to utilities
who have their own test teams.
United Sciences Testing, Inc. (USTI) plays a vital role in AEP’s air
quality compliance strategy and is working to expand its portfolio
of external customers. This is no small accomplishment as AEP is the
largest producer of electricity (and the largest consumer of coal)
in the United States. “We provide flow RATA testing services
to the internal fleet and a number of third party utilities. We are
also actively marketing USTI’s services beyond our current client
base,” stated Brown. USTI’s marketing efforts are succeeding
as two major utilities have recently committed to using USTI for flow
RATA testing. In addition, existing clients are increasing their reliance
on USTI’s services.
“We saw great advantages in this technology before we bought it and USTI
continues to validate our acquisition,” said Mark Marano, AEP
senior vice president, business services and President of USTI. “If
we used it strictly for internal compliance purposes, the acquisition
would be justified. However, we think other utilities can benefit
as we have, and our efforts to market USTI’s services externally
appear to be confirming its value.”
AEP recently announced plans to market its AEP Pro Serv, Inc., subsidiary,
a provider of a variety of engineering and construction management services
to third parties. USTI is not part of the AEP Pro Serv organization and as
such is not a part of this effort.