Galvin Electricity Initiative Says Accountability Critical to Creating Lasting Economic Impact
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 24, 2009
CONTACT:
Crystal Borde
202-331-4323
cborde@vancomm.com
***INTERVIEW ALERT***
GALVIN ELECTRICITY INITIATIVE SAYS ACCOUNTABILITY CRITICAL TO CREATING LASTING ECONOMIC IMPACT
The Galvin Electricity Initiative calls on the U.S. Department of Energy to Implement Performance Standards and Extend Smart Grid Demo Projects Beyond Utilities for Maximum Benefit
While the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) was wise to remove the funding limits for smart grid demonstration projects grants on Thursday, more must be done to sustain job creation and significantly increase the reliability and efficiency of the obsolete power grid, according to the Galvin Electricity Initiative.
In order to achieve comprehensive integration of smart grid technology and fundamentally improve grid reliability, efficiency and environmental quality, Kurt Yeager, executive director of the Initiative is calling on DOE to emphasize comprehensive smart grid programs that are designed to maximize consumer benefits and industry innovation. DOE should fund projects that will be run by entrepreneurial innovators in addition to those projects that will fall under utility control and are designed to maximize utility benefits. All grant recipients should then be held accountable to common performance standards to accurately measure and maximize each program’s impact and benefits from the taxpayers’ perspective. In turn, stimulus funding will be able to create lasting system change resulting in more jobs, reduced dependence on foreign oil, improved energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.
WHO: Kurt Yeager, executive director of the Galvin Electricity Initiative, president emeritus of the Electric Power Research Institute, chair of the World Energy Council Study on Energy and Climate Change and co-author with Robert Galvin of the book, Perfect Power: How the Microgrid Revolution Will Unleash Cleaner, Greener, and More Abundant Energy
WHY: “Funding smart grid demonstration projects are a great first step, but DOE must do more. By holding grant recipients accountable to higher performance standards, these projects will be able to effectively integrate smart grid technologies in a manner that will boost the job market and transform our nation’s failing electricity system,” said Yeager. “To truly stimulate the economy and create a sustainable 21st century electricity system in the U.S., DOE needs to invest smart grid funding in fewer quick and dirty projects, and focus on comprehensive, community-scaled smart grid deployment projects that maximize consumer and economic benefits.”
WHEN: Interviews are available by request. Contact Crystal Borde at 202-331-4323 or cborde@vancomm.com.
The Galvin Electricity Initiative, launched by Robert W. Galvin in 2004, has brought together the nation’s leading electricity experts to reconstruct our electric power system into one that is more affordable, reliable and fuel-efficient. The Initiative has created innovative business and technological blueprints for the ultimate smart grid: the Perfect Power System, a smart microgrid that meets the needs of 21st century consumers. For more information on Perfect Power and smart microgrids, visit www.galvinpower.org.
###
