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US funding bonanza for a smart grid and energy efficiency measures

The latest spending bonanza as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) sees £3.9 billion earmarked to update the electricity network and $358 million for state efforts in energy efficiency and renewables.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has $3.9 billion for applications to modernise the electricity grid, which will improve efficiency, reliability and security while allowing for greater integration of renewable energy sources.

The Smart Grid Investment Grant Program will support cost-shared initiatives to manufacture, purchase and install existing smart grid technologies that can be deployed on a commercial scale.

Meanwhile, through the DOE’s State Energy Program, over $154 million in ARRA funding will go to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in California, Missouri, New Hampshire and North Carolina.

The latest allocation of funds means these states have received 50% of their total due under the Recovery Act. The rest will be released if each state’s energy programme reaches required milestones. The programmes cover building retrofits, transportation initiatives to increase the use of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles, and financing mechanisms for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.

Under the same programme, a further ten states – Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington – will receive over $204 million.

For further information:
www.recovery.gov
www.energy.gov/
www.fedconnect.net

26 June 2009

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