Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has announced Nevada will receive a $138 million stimulus grant to modernize the electric power and natural gas delivery systems in the Silver State.
NV Energy will match the grant with $160 million to create a modern, high-tech electric grid and natural gas delivery system, Reid said. He said that should not only save consumers money but generate hundreds of jobs and accelerate Nevada's energy independence.
The project includes installation of 1.45 million upgraded electric and gas meters serving 2.4 million Nevadans.
The project includes electric vehicles and state-of-the-art information technologies. Reid said 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 concept," he said.
Reid along with Gov. Jim Gibbons and several other officials have touted Nevada's potential for generating renewable power for several years. All have said that modernizing the grid and expanding the delivery system are key to making that possible.