Recovery Act Smart Grid Grants to Help Modernize Maryland Energy Grid, Create Jobs
"These Smart Grid Investment grants are an example of recovery dollars at work to help create jobs, while investing in our critical priorities," stated Rep. Hoyer. "I am pleased that Maryland residents will benefit from these funds, which will significantly aid in the effort to make our state and our nation's energy infrastructure more reliable, more efficient, and less costly for consumers."
The $3.4 billion in grant awards are part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, and will be matched by industry funding for a total public-private investment worth over $8 billion. Grants were awarded through a competitive bid process. Applicants state that the projects will create tens of thousands of jobs, and consumers in 49 states will benefit from these investments in a stronger, more reliable grid. Full listings of the grant awards by category and state are available HERE and HERE. A map of the awards is available HERE.
In short, Smart Grid technology will:
- Create tens of thousands of jobs.
- Reduce power outages that cost American consumers $150 billion a year--every man, woman and child in the United States will save about $500 each year.
- Allow consumers to cut their electricity bills through "smart meters."
- Put Americans on the path to generating 20 percent or more of our energy from renewable sources by 2020.
To read more about the smart grid, the newest American Reinvestment and Recovery Act initiative, read the full fact sheet.