House Approves $500,000 For Smart Grid Initiative In Burbank

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brad Sherman announced that the House of Representatives approved a half million dollars in federal appropriations funding for a smart grid initiative in the City of Burbank.

Today, the House passed the Energy and Water Appropriations Act for 2010, which includes this project. The Senate is expected to pass the bill next week.

The federal funds will help Burbank Water and Power’s program to develop an advanced “smart grid” that incorporates state-of-the-art systems and Wi-Fi technology. Burbank’s smart grid system would transition from existing infrastructure into a system that can better direct renewable energy resources -- the charging of plug-in hybrid cars, for example -- while making it more efficient and resilient to both natural events and malicious attacks.

“Anyone who lived through California’s energy crisis knows that our energy infrastructure not only needs to be updated to meet increased demand but also to incorporate new technologies,” said Congressman Sherman. “It is important to develop new sustainable energy sources and technologies, and it is also important to have modern means and methods to distribute that energy.”

Congressman Adam Schiff also supported this appropriation request.