October 27, 2009
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR DAVID A. PATERSON
“Earlier today, President Obama announced $3.4 billion in Smart Grid Investment Grant awards that will push the country toward a clean energy economy. It is the largest single smart grid investment in U.S. history, and New York will share in these benefits by receiving $173.5 million to help support the creation of a smart electric grid.
“As I outlined in my New Economy Jobs Plan in June, the creation of a smart electric grid in New York State will help create thousands of jobs for New Yorkers, lower energy costs and position our state as a global leader in the clean energy economy. To help get us there, we launched the Smart Grid Consortium in August to foster the development and deployment of this new technology aimed at reducing the cost of electricity while increasing reliability. Today’s award is proof that the initiative we are taking in New York is working.
“I want to thank President Obama and our congressional delegation for making this funding a reality for New York. Additionally, the New York State Public Service Commission provided strategic and direct assistance to win this federal funding. I also want to congratulate Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., which was awarded more than $136 million to deploy a wide-range of grid-related technologies, and the New York Independent System Operator, Inc., which was awarded more than $37 million to deploy a range of smart grid technologies, through its collaboration with New York’s electric transmission companies. In total, the project value of these smart grid awards in New York, including cost sharing, is more than $348 million.”
