NEW YORK - The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. and Clean Edge, Inc. have announced the introduction of the NASDAQ OMX^® Clean Edge^® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index(SM) (Nasdaq:QGRD), a new benchmark for the smart grid and electric infrastructure sector.

The NASDAQ OMX^® Clean Edge^® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index is a modified market-capitalization index and includes companies that are primarily involved in electric grid; electric meters, devices and networks; energy storage and management; and enabling software used by the smart grid and electric infrastructure sector.

“This index brings sharper focus to an industry that is transforming our nation’s energy grid, an extremely significant endeavor that will help shape our nation’s future,” said NASDAQ OMX Executive Vice President John Jacobs. “Investors, thanks to this index, can now easily track companies that are working diligently to help fully implement an energy grid that is more efficient, cleaner and resilient.”

“Our current electric grid is dated and deteriorating,” said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge Co-founder and Managing Director. “To keep up with energy demand and meet modern energy needs, the next evolution in our electric grid will include the embedding of smart meters, controls, and networks to make the grid more intelligent and the introduction of a two-way flow of electrons and energy storage to enable better integration of renewable power and energy efficiency. This build-out is already under way and offers an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the way energy is generated, stored, transmitted, and delivered.”

The NASDAQ OMX^® Clean Edge^® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index is calculated in real-time across the combined exchanges and is disseminated by NASDAQ OMX in U.S. Dollars. The Index commenced calculation today with a value of 250.00.

The NASDAQ OMX^® Clean Edge^® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index is comprised of companies that are screened by Clean Edge. To view the companies in the NASDAQ OMX^® Clean Edge^® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, visit the website www.nasdaqomx.com/indexes.

NASDAQ OMX’s calculation, licensing and marketing support provide the tools to measure and replicate global markets. The NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group’s range of services covers the entire business process from index design to calculation and dissemination. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit here.

Access to essential historical index data for NASDAQ OMX indexes can be accessed from a single source, NASDAQ OMX Global Index Watch. For additional information, please visit here.

The development of the North American ’Smart Grid’ will be a featured topic at GLOBE 2010 the world conference and exposition on the business of the environment taking place in Vancouver, Canada March 24-26, 2010. Check here for more details: http://www.globe2010.com

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