State to receive more than $10 million to strengthen grid

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Arkansas will receive $10.3 million to enhance the state’s electrical grid and prevent power outages, according to a Wednesday (Sept. 20) news release from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). The money comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Funding from the law supports the Grid Enhancement Grant Program (GRID) or Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid/Hazard Hardening. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will provide $2.5 billion in grants to strengthen the U.S. electrical grid. Arkansas will receive $5.16 million in the first year and $5.14 million in the second year.

The Grid Enhancement Grant Program aims to strengthen and modernize the U.S. power grid against wildfires, extreme weather and other natural disasters. Grant money for 2024 through 2026 has yet to be announced.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/09/state-to-receive-more-than-10-million-to-strengthen-grid/

Arkansas to receive more than $137 million in loans to modernize electrical grids

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Monday (Jan. 30) the department is investing $2.7 billion to help 64 electric cooperatives and utilities expand and modernize the nation’s rural electric grid and increase grid security.

Three of those projects will be in Arkansas. USDA will allocate $137.235 million for those projects. A timetable for completing the projects was not released.

“These critical investments will benefit rural people and businesses in many ways for decades to come,” Vilsack said. “This funding will help rural cooperatives and utilities invest in changes that make our energy more efficient, more reliable, and more affordable. Investing in infrastructure – roads, bridges, broadband and energy – supports good-paying jobs and keeps the United States poised to lead the global economy.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/01/arkansas-to-receive-more-than-137-million-in-loans-to-modernize-electrical-grids/