Sen. Udall: More Than $24 Million for Smart Grid Projects Headed to Fort Collins and Pueblo

Recovery Act Funding Will Create Jobs, Help Move Toward Energy Independence

October 27, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mark Udall announced that Smart Grid projects in Fort Collins and Pueblo will receive more than $24 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding will help both cities create jobs and advance their efforts to transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system.

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"There's no question Colorado is leading the country in the race to build a smarter, stronger electrical system," Senator Udall said. "This investment will create jobs and help Fort Collins and Pueblo move their smart grid projects to another level. The result will be lower power bills and a power grid that will better enable us to harness renewable energy and break our dangerous addiction to foreign fossil fuels."

Fort Collins will receive $18 million to install 79,000 smart meters and in-home demand response systems, including in-home displays, smart thermostats and air conditioning and water heater control switches, to automate transmission and distribution systems, and enhance grid security.

Pueblo will receive $6,142,854 to install 42,000 smart meters and communications infrastructure that will help facilitate meter reading and provide a pilot for a dynamic pricing program.

Overall, the Recovery Act will invest $3.4 billion to help fund the largest single energy grid modernization in U.S. history. It will be matched by industry funding for a total public-private investment worth over $8 billion.

The Recovery Act funding will create tens of thousands of jobs across the country, resulting in a nationwide smart energy grid that will cut costs for consumers, make the grid stronger and more reliable and increase accessibility to clean, low-cost renewable energy sources for American homes and businesses. An analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute estimates that implementation of smart grid technologies could reduce electricity use by more than 4 percent by 2030, saving $20.4 billion for businesses and consumers across the country.

Source: Senator Mark Udall