Thanks to MLGW's efforts, Memphis has ranked first among selected cities across the nation for having the lowest water and wastewater rates according to the newly-released "2007 Utility Bill Comparisons for Selected U.S. Cities" report compiled from surveys conducted annually by MLGW. The report also reveals that Memphis is in the top six of cities nationwide claiming the lowest average monthly residential utility bills.

"We are extremely pleased with the results of this report," said Jerry Collins, Interim Chief Utility Officer for MLGW. "The fact that our rates were found to be lower than those of such cities as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis and Chattanooga among many others, is very commendable and shows that the utility's efforts to contain costs is paying off."

With ever-increasing wholesale utility costs, MLGW has worked diligently for its customers by staving off any potential rate increases. As a result, MLGW has not had to raise rates since 2004 and is continuing efforts to delay any increases as far into the future as possible. According to Collins, "The key is to strike a balance between containing customers' utility costs in the wake of rising wholesale and other inflationary costs while maintaining the lowest rates in the nation. So far, we've succeeded at holding this delicate balance."

For more information, please visit www.mlgw.com, or call 544-MLGW (6549) to request a copy of MLGW's 2007 Utility Bill Comparisons report.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 420,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County with some of the lowest combined rates in the U.S.