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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
NELSON: $2.2 MILLION IN STIMULUS FOR SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY IN NEBRASKA

October 27, 2009 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy that Nebraska will receive more than $2.2 million to modernize the electric grid in the state. The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“I fought hard to include this energy funding in the stimulus bill because it will help modernize Nebraska’s distribution system and will bring jobs to the state,” said Nelson. “This investment represents the future of energy distribution in the U.S., and this funding ensures Nebraska will be a part of that future.”

The Stanton County Public Power District, based in the city of Stanton, will receive $397,000 to extend existing smart meter network to all metering points by deploying an additional 2,400 smart meters, along with the associated computer software and hardware and data collection systems. 

The Cuming County Public Power District, based in the city of West Point, will receive $1,874,994 to install communications infrastructures and deploy control software to enable Smart Grid distribution functions for Cuming County Public Power District system and the neighboring Stanton County Public Power District distribution system.

The funding announced today is part of $3.4 billion in grants nationwide that represent the largest single energy grid modernization investment in U.S. history, funding a broad range of technologies that will spur the nation’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system. The end result will promote energy-saving choices for consumers, increase efficiency, and foster the growth of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. According to the Department of Energy, the funding will be matched by industry funding for a total public-private investment worth over $8 billion.

Senator Nelson played a key role in the passage of the $787 billion stimulus bill. He worked with a bipartisan group of nearly 20 Senators to better focus The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on tax cuts for the middle class and job creation for millions of Americans. Senator Nelson led the group through the initial bill line by line, dollar by dollar, to reduce spending and cut out $108 billion of inefficient or less-stimulative spending. The bipartisan group helped the improved bill win congressional approval. President Obama signed it into law February 17, 2009.
 
Senator Nelson is posting information about the release of stimulus finds on his website as it becomes available. Visit http://bennelson.senate.gov/feature_4.cfm for more information.

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