The funds, totaling $376m, are being awarded through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service and include nearly $14m in smart grid technology.
According to USDA, smart grid technology, such as advanced metering, can provide data to consumers and utilities to better manage power use and costs.
The USDA Rural Development also helps fund energy conservation and renewable energy projects.
USDA secretary Tom Vilsack said that the investments rural electric cooperatives make in infrastructure and smart grid technology highlight the importance of innovation in ensuring a constant and affordable supply of electricity.
The utilities that were awarded the funding are Carroll Electric Cooperative, Navopache Electric Cooperative, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, Georgia Transmission Corp, Southern Pioneer Electric, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Beltrami Electric, Ozark Electric Cooperative, Grundy Electric Cooperative and Dakota Energy Cooperative.
