PISCATAWAY, N.J., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The board of directors of Trane Inc. (NYSE: TT) today declared a quarterly dividend of 16 cents per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on March 20, 2008, to shareholders of record on March 3, 2008.

Trane Inc. provides heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and services that enhance the quality and comfort of the air in homes and buildings around the world. The company offers customers a broad range of energy-efficient HVAC systems; dehumidifying and air cleaning products; service and parts support; advanced building controls; and financing solutions.

American Standard finishes year with Trane ride

It has been anything but a standard year for American Standard.

The Piscataway-based company completed the sale of its renowned bath and kitchen business and spun off its vehicle-control systems operation to focus solely on its more-profitable air-conditioning and heating systems.

And Wednesday, it completed its three-way business split by announcing its name change to Trane, to identify with its popular HVAC brand.

"Everyone has been clearly focused on the separation plan, and we're in the final stages," company spokesman Skip Colcord said.

It was February when American Standard Chief Executive Officer Fred Poses announced that the company, which employs about 1,450 in New Jersey, would separate into three units in the hopes of creating greater shareholder value for its varied operations.

Ameren customers angered with rate increase proposal

Ameren officials are asking for $247 million more annually to help cover rising replacement costs for items such as utility grade wire, poles and plastic pipe. They claim the added revenue would not go toward offsetting the costs of rebates and refunds tied to this year's rate relief settlement.The Illinois Commerce Commission, which ultimately will decide to accept or reject Ameren's proposal, hosted the public hearing - the first of six statewide and the only hearing in the region.State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, who asked the ICC to make Marion one of its stops, was not impressed with Nelson's presentation. He said another rate increase for the utility is unconscionable given that Ameren only had to pay back $150 million in rebates to its customers as part of the $1 billion agreement forged with the legislature last year."They say they're suffering, but they ought to see the suffering put on the people of Southern Illinois," Bradley said.

Road Trip: 2007 BMW 3-Series Convertible - EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW

Take a Road Trip with The Auto Channel in the all new 2007 BMW 3 Series hardtop convertible.

Few other automobiles stir emotions quite like a convertible. Whether it's the feeling of freedom created by top-down driving or their seductive shapes, convertibles have long been regarded by many car enthusiasts and casual onlookers alike as providing a one-of-a-kind exhilarating driving experience.

Peterson a full-time Dirtbag

He played in the prestigious Cape Cod League and earned all-league honors, leading the league in hits, 52, in 42 games while hitting .338 with a .436 on-base percentage.

"I pretty much took what I finished with (at Long Beach) and carried it into the summer," he said. "All I did was play first base and right field. The first half of the summer, I had a lot of extra-base hits.

"I lifted more in the off-season and I feel a lot stronger and more capable of driving the ball into the gaps."

Peterson had some prodigious swings last season, coming close twice to putting a ball over the center-field fence at Blair in a night game. At 400-feet away, with a persistent breeze to left and in the thick marine night air, that's an achievement as rare as a triple play.

At 6-0 and 200, he may always be more of a hit machine than a pure home run hitter.

Desperation Strikes

There’s a man-conquering blonde bombshell who prances around the neighborhood dressed like an exotic dancer; a nosy, blackmailing neighbor who always seems to know a little too much about other people’s business; and the hunky neighbor guy who just moved in, whose mysterious ways keep viewers wondering if he’s a sinner or a saint.