USDA INVESTS TO IMPROVE RURAL ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND FINANCE SMART GRID TECHNOLOGIES

摘要

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $122 million in seven projects through funds from the Electric Loan Program. The loans will help build, improve, expand, or upgrade rural electric systems in Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. The funding includes over $7 million to finance smart grid technologies to improve system operations and monitor grid security. For example: South Dakota's West River Electric Association is receiving a $30 million loan to build or improve 163 miles of line, serve 1,049 new customers, and finance $2.4 million in smart grid technologies, including computer applications, two-way machine-to-machine communications, geospatial information systems, and other tools to increase reliability and efficiency. West River serves 16,920 residential and commercial consumers in an area largely dependent on agriculture, tourism, and business activity.