U.S. Awards $3.4 Billion to Create a "Smart" Electric Grid

The Department of Energy has a total of $36.7 billion in Recovery Act funding – so the $3.4 billion in Smart Grid Investment Grants announced today represents just a fraction of the total spend for energy projects.

And DOE is not the only federal agency spending Recovery Act funds on energy projects. For example:

- Department of Interior committed $15 million for projects on public lands, including thinning overgrown forests to reduce wildfire danger. The wood removed isn’t typically high enough quality for lumber mills but can serve as an excellent source of biomass energy.

- Department of Defense awarded GE $2 million to demonstrate a smart microgrid on a Marine Corps base in California and the Navy awarded a $403,633 photovoltaic design contract to a Honolulu firm to mount solar panels on buildings at Pearl Harbor and at a missile range on Kauai.

- The Treasury Department teamed with DOE to award $550 million in Recovery Act money to 25 renewable energy production projects through the Recovery Act's 1603 program, which directs the federal government to provide cash assistance to energy producers in lieu of tax credits.

Still to be announced is the remaining $615 million that will go for Smart Grid demonstration projects around the country. In July the DOE awarded $47 million allocated for demonstration projects to eight existing projects already on the agency’s radar. Announcement of the remaining awards is expected in November.

These resources can help you track how Recovery Act money is being spent for Smart Grid and other energy-related projects:

- SGN Directory of Energy Awards – Articles about energy awards by category, from biomass, solar and wind to storage, electric transportation, R&D and more.

· DOE Recovery Act funding – Pie charts and interactive graphics show how the Energy Department has allocated its $36.7 billion in Recovery Act funding.

· DOE Milestones - The First 200 Days (video) – This is an update on DOE progress on the Recovery Act at 200 days, hosted by Matt Rogers, Senior Advisor to Secretary Steven Chu for Recovery Act Implementation.

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