Two Washington utilities received $35.8 million for smart-grid infrastructure projects as part of a $3.4 billion federal stimulus package announced Tuesday. The grants will help pay for transmission system upgrades at Spokane-based Avista Utilities and the Snohomish County Public Utilities District in Everett.
Portions of another $68 million awarded to out-of-state utilities with some Washington customers will also benefit the state. The Portland-based Bonneville Power Administration, which provides power to Clark Public Utilities, will contribute to the Western Electricity Coordinating Council’s $108 million project to install monitoring devices along transmission lines in 14 western states. The project to help reduce energy losses along the lines received $54 million in funding from the stimulus bill.
In all, the package contains $3.4 billion in stimulus funds for 100 projects nationwide. Funding for smart-grid demonstration projects is expected to be announced in November, according to BPA. The projects will improve the efficiency of the electric grid and prepare the system for more renewable energy sources.
