Schiff Announces $40 Million in Federal Grants for Energy-Efficiency Smart Grids

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Schiff announced last week that the cities of Burbank and Glendale will each receive $20 million to help build energy-efficient smart grids. Burbank and Glendale received two of only 100 such grants in the country, provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The smart grids will promote energy-saving choices for consumers, increase efficiency, and help create local jobs.

"Our future is much brighter with the advancement of green technology," said Schiff. "Innovative energy-efficient solutions will help grow our economy and make our nation energy independent. Southern California is leading the way with initiatives like the smart grids in Burbank and Glendale."

Rep. Schiff has long been a supporter of Burbank´s and Glendale´s smart grids, having supported funding for them in the House Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Earlier this month he had announced he successfully helped secured additional federal funds for Burbank´s smart grid.

The smart grids will use state-of-the-art smart meters, and implement high-capacity Wi-Fi technology. They are also a vital first step in readying our energy delivery system to allow homeowners to put energy back in the grid from their solar panels and be paid for it.

An analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute estimates that the implementation of smart grid technologies could reduce electricity use by more than 4 percent by 2030. That would mean a savings of $20.4 billion for businesses and consumers around the country.

One-hundred private companies, utilities, manufacturers, cities and other partners received the Smart Grid Investment Grant awards today, The awards announced today represent the largest group of Recovery Act awards ever made in a single day and the largest batch of Recovery Act clean energy grant awards to-date.