Indy Getting $20 Million to Modernize Energy Grid
October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS – Congressman André Carson joined local leaders of Indianapolis Power & Light (IPL) in hailing the news from the White House today that IPL will receive $20 million to modernize and improve efficiency of the local power grid. The grant is part of the $3.4 billion Smart Grid Investment Grant program announced today by President Barack Obama, marking the largest single energy grid modernization investment in U.S. history.
This historic investment, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will result in energy-saving choices for consumers, improved efficiency, and the growth of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. This power grid infrastructure work will also create tens-of-thousands of green jobs nationwide.
"Not only has the Recovery Act helped to rescue this economy from freefall, but it's making investments now that will lead to long-term growth and success," said Congressman Carson. "This grant will put people to work doing jobs that have a lasting, community-wide impact—helping bring clean, low-cost energy sources to Indianapolis homes and businesses."
"Indianapolis Power & Light Company is very pleased to receive this award. This grant will provide great benefit to our customers by putting interactive energy management tools in their hands," said Ann Murtlow, IPL President and CEO. "We also plan to use this federal funding to further upgrade our infrastructure with micro-processor based devices, which will help us restore service more quickly after storms."
Pending approval by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, IPL will use this grant to install Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), including a radio mesh network and a data collection system, and to replace more than 28,000 meters to further automate the meter reading task and enable the timely exchange of energy usage information. IPL will also install up to 22,000 Home Area Network (HAN) systems including programmable communicating thermostats and in-home displays to enable time varying rates to motivate customers to reduce demand during peak usage periods.
About Indianapolis Power & Light Company
IPL provides retail electric service to about 470,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Indianapolis, as well as portions of other Central Indiana communities surrounding Marion County. During its long history, IPL has supplied its customers with some of the lowest-cost, most reliable power in the country.
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