Governor Rendell Applauds More Than $233 Million in Recovery Funds to Pennsylvania for Smart Grid Technology

October 27, 2009

Investment by the Obama Administration Marks Largest-Ever Grid Modernization Effort

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell hailed today's announcement by President Barack Obama that Pennsylvania will receive more than $233 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create a more efficient and reliable electrical system.

The President said today that the United States would invest $3.4 billion in smart grid technology nationwide.

In Pennsylvania, the funding will be directed to five energy companies to support a broad range of projects to strengthen and upgrade electrical transmission and encourage conservation.

"Today's announcement has enormous implications for Pennsylvania's continued leadership in creating a green economy based on alternative energy and conservation," Governor Rendell said. "In addition to creating and protecting family-sustaining jobs, these investments will help to reduce our reliance on foreign fuel sources and curb climate change while making it easier for consumers to conserve electricity and save money."

The electric grid delivers electricity from points of generation to consumers. "Smart grid" technology uses wireless sensor networks, software and computers to enable utilities to determine how much and where energy is being consumed, and if there are problems or blackouts in the network. Homeowners will be able to see how much energy they have consumed and adjust their consumption habits accordingly.

The largest award among Pennsylvania recipients is $200 million to PECO Energy of Philadelphia to distribute "smart meters" to all 600,000 customers, upgrade its communication infrastructure to support a smart meter network, install 7 "intelligent" substations, and accelerate deployment of more reliable and secure smart grid technologies to reduce peak energy load and increase cost savings.

The other grantees are:

PPL Electric Utilities Corp., Allentown: $19.054 million to create and install a distribution management system and smart grid technology to monitor and control the grid in real-time, improve system reliability and energy resource optimization, and provide the infrastructure for distributed generation and broader energy efficiency efforts.

PJM Interconnection, LLC, Norristown: $13.7 million to deploy more than 90 phasor measurement units and other digital monitoring and analysis technologies across 10 states that will provide real-time data on the operating conditions of the transmission system, improving reliability and reducing congestion.

Wellsboro Electric Co., Wellsboro: $431,635 to distribute smart meter network systems throughout the utility's service territory.

To learn more about how the federal economic stimulus program is benefiting communities across Pennsylvania, visit www.recovery.pa.gov.

    Media Contacts:
    Teresa Candori, DEP; 717-787-1323
    Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor