The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration on Tuesday announced that it’s offering $10 million in grants to utilities and energy companies to prevent electric outages and strengthen the state’s electric grid.
Applications are now being accepted for the Grid Enhancement Grant. An additional $5 million in funding expected to become available in late 2024, the department said in a news release.
Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The grant program seeks to strengthen and modernize America’s power grid against natural disasters.
“A year ago, Arkansans united to support the citizens and communities affected by the devastating tornadoes,” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. “Today, the Grid funding is one more way the state continues to recover and prepare as we enhance our electric infrastructure across Arkansas. Strengthening our electric grid will protect Arkansans for years to come.”
In addition to utilities, those that may qualify for the grant include electric grid operators, electricity storage operators, electricity generators, transmission owners or operators, distribution providers and fuel suppliers.
“Grid funding will allow utility providers and others to supplement investments to increase the certainty and reliability of services at lower costs to the citizens,” said Becky Keogh, Infrastructure Coordinator for the state of Arkansas. “Providing funding to rural portions of the state is especially important to ensure we are prepared in every area if the state faces a natural disaster.”
The deadline to submit a proposal is July 19.
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