Department of Energy Announces $3.4 Billion in Recovery Act funds to Develop “Smart” Energy Grid

On October 27, 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy announced “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 $3.4 billion in grant awards under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will be matched by industry investment for a total public-private investment of over $8 billion. The projects funded cover an array of activities ranging from investments in the installation of smart meter products, communications devices, and direct load control devices to investments to implement grid modernization and the build up of network infrastructure. In a highly competitive process, the U.S. Department of Energy received and evaluated approximately 400 applications for grant awards under this initiative; however, only 100 grants were awarded. Advising clients on successfully securing Recovery Act funding and complying with associated reporting and government contracting obligations were Peter LeJeune, Brandon N. Robinson, and David McPhail in the Birmingham office, Mark Alexander and David Duhé in the Gulfport office, and Drew Johnson in the Atlanta office.