SRP Media Relations
(602) 236-2500
Aug. 18, 2009
MEDIA ADVISORY
SRP applies for stimulus funds to help customers
Federal funds could reduce customer expenses, improve service
SRP has applied for more than $80 million in stimulus funds from the Department of Energy as a means to lower costs, offer customers more options for controlling their energy use and monthly bills, improve reliability and promote clean-energy technology.
During the first week of August, SRP submitted applications for the following projects:
Smart Grid Investment Grant - SRP has applied for $56.9 million in DOE funding to deploy "smart" meters and a meter data management system. This project will accelerate full deployment of smart meters to SRP customers. SRP has already deployed more than 400,000 smart meters, which enable customers to better understand and manage their energy consumption as well as access to alternative time-of-use rates that can save them money.
Smart Grid Investment Grant - SRP has requested $19.75 million for a secure intelligent system integration project. This project will allow the company to remotely manage its electric substations, transmission and distribution systems, which will reduce costs, improve reliability and allow SRP to respond more quickly to problems.
Site Characterization for Promising Geologic Formations for CO2 Storage - SRP applied for $4 million in funding on behalf of a consortium of energy companies (SRP, Tucson Electric Power, Tri-State Generation and Transmission and Peabody Coal) and the Hopi Tribe. The project team will study the Black Mesa Basin in northern Arizona to assess its potential for underground carbon sequestration. Preliminary geologic studies indicate that the Black Mesa Basin is a very promising site in the region for capturing carbon-dioxide emissions that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
DOE anticipates awarding the grants by the end of 2009.
"The stimulus grant applications have the potential to save SRP's customers millions of dollars while employing environmentally friendly technology," said Debbie Kimberly, SRP's manager of Energy Efficiency & Policy Analysis.
"SRP has been working hard to secure these funds so that we can improve service to our customers and lower costs. If our applications are successful, we will be able to bring a smart meter to virtually every home by 2011, reduce future costs, improve reliability and protect the environment."
SRP is the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving about 935,000 customers in Maricopa and Pinal counties.
