USDA to invest $2.5B in rural electric infrastructure

2017-12-26

 USA: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to invest $2.5 billion to improve rural electric infrastructure.

Planned to be funded through USDA Rural Development’s Electric Program, the new investment is expected to help develop and maintain modern and reliable electric infrastructure in 27 states, reports EBR.

It also includes $127 million for smart grid projects.

The funds will support infrastructure improvements in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

“The loans I am announcing today will help utilities and cooperatives build new transmission and distribution lines, upgrade networks and facilities, and better manage the power grid,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue.

Source: EBR