State's Economic Development Director Visits City of Princeton to Announce Federal Stimulus Funding for Smart Grid

PRINCETON- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley visited the City of Princeton today to announce a $700,000 energy efficiency grant to assist the City Electric Department in deploying Smart Grid technologies that will benefit 3700 residential and 600 commercial and industrial customers. The grant will be funded through Illinois' Energy Plan, an ambitious plan that targets federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARAR) dollars toward green sector growth and job creation.

"Princeton is on the cutting edge when it comes to green energy innovation," said Director Ribley. "Smart Grid technology will provide the citizens of Princeton with energy savings, by allowing them to monitor their use and weigh it against critical peak pricing. Ultimately, other cities will be able to learn from their successful early adoption."

A Smart Grid delivers electricity from the utility to consumers using digital technology, with two-way communications to help consumers regulate their energy usage at home for maximum savings. The first phase of Princeton's project is the deployment of two-way communication capability. In phase two, the home area network will be enhanced with advanced meter infrastructure, demand response, demand side management, and in home devices. The project is expected to have energy savings equivalent to taking 106 cars off the road, or planting more than 14,000 trees. The project also creates six additional jobs.

"I want to thank DCEO for their efforts to advance energy efficiency in the City of Princeton.  By embracing Smart Grid technologies, Illinois will generate energy savings and create jobs," said State Representative Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley).

The City of Princeton also received a second grant through DCEO for $27,298 to upgrade its streetlights.  Based on the performance of the new lights, Princeton officials report a 59% reduction in energy costs and an 80% reduction in maintenance costs.

"The smart media project is another way for Princeton Local Electric to show its commitment to providing reliable, low-cost electric utility services to our customers and another way for us to show our commitment to making our environment safer and cleaner," commented Mayor Keith Cain, City of Princeton.

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Illinois received over $130 million to implement the State's Energy Plan, Illinois' most comprehensive effort to date to address the state's energy production needs. More than 12,000 green sector jobs are being created over the next two years as a result of the Plan, which is administered by DCEO's State Energy Office. For more information, visit www.ildceo.net.