Arkansas will receive more than $10 million to enhance the state’s electric grid

• Posted Date: 09/20/2023
• Office: All DFA
• News:

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
  September 20, 2023

   

  FOR MORE INFORMATION:
  Scott Hardin, DFA Communications
  501-352-9351, scott.hardin@dfa.arkansas.gov

   

                                                                                   Arkansas will receive more than $10 million to enhance the state’s electric grid

                                                                                                Federal funding provided through U.S. Department of Energy

   

  LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (September 20, 2023) – The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) today announced the state will receive more than $10 million in federal funding through the Grid Enhancement Grant program. The money will be used to prevent electric outages and enhance the resilience of the electric grid. Grant funding for the first year will total $5.16 million. This will be followed by an additional $5.14 million the second year.

  “This year’s historic natural disasters underscored the critical importance of our electric grid. We need the grid to run to keep our entire state moving,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “This investment will enhance our grid’s resiliency to help in future crisis events, benefitting Arkansans for years to come.” 

  The money is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Grid Enhancement Grant program seeks to strengthen and modernize America’s power grid against wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters. Examples of those that may qualify for this grant include electric grid operators, electricity storage operators, electricity generators, transmission owners or operators, distribution providers and fuel suppliers.  

  “We will work closely with our partners to establish the process through which the grants will be distributed,” said Becky Keogh, Infrastructure Coordinator for the state of Arkansas. “As Arkansans continue to recover from the March tornadoes along with other major weather events, we have a great opportunity to enhance our grid going forward.”

  DFA will manage the application process.

  Projects that may qualify for the grant include weatherization technologies and equipment, fire-resistant technologies and fire prevention systems, undergrounding of electrical equipment, utility pole management, relocation of power lines and adaptive protection technologies. DFA will utilize guidance from the Department of Energy in order to maximize benefits to Arkansas residents.

  DFA hosted a public hearing and accepted public feedback on this proposed grant program earlier this year.

  “In addition to the initial $10 million, we anticipate more funding will be made available through the Grid Enhancement Grant program,” said DFA Secretary Jim Hudson. “Citizens across the state partnered to support our fellow Arkansans affected by the historic weather events earlier this year. Investing in our grid is one more way we can take action to keep Arkansans safe should we ever face this again.”

  Organizations or companies interested in applying may email questions to infrastructure@dfa.arkansas.gov.  Details regarding the application process and timeline will be posted to DFA’s website once finalized. Visit DFA’s site at https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/.

  Find additional information on the goals and guidelines for the grant at Arkansas_DFA_ProgramNarrativeFINAL.pdf.

   

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