October 27, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced a $138 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to NV Energy to implement smart grid technologies for the Silver State. This significant funding, part of the largest single smart grid modernization investment in history, will create good-paying Nevada jobs while helping to make our state the leader in a national clean energy revolution. NV Energy will match the Federal grant with another $160 million to create a highly efficient electricity and natural gas delivery system that will save consumers money, generate hundreds of jobs, and accelerate Nevada’s energy independence.      
 
The statewide project will deliver more than $65 million in annual benefits to the state.  When fully implemented during 2010-2012, 1.45 million advanced/smart electric and gas meters will be installed across 54,600 square miles of the company’s service territory, and benefit 2.4 million Nevadans.   Those meters will give consumers more choices about managing their energy consumption and make it easier for them to deploy distributed renewable generation at home.  The project incorporates electric vehicles and state of the art information technology applications.  The project will be a model for the entire utility industry.
 
“I advocated for this funding because Nevada is the perfect model for an advanced smart grid project,” said Reid. “This project will create jobs across the state while empowering Nevadans to take control of their energy consumption, integrate renewable sources and net real savings on their energy bills. With the implementation of this project the clean energy revolution has begun in earnest and Nevada is leading the way.”