Summary: The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) was signed into law on December 19, 2007. The objectives of the Energy Independence and Security Act are to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government. Smart Grid was discussed in Title XIII, Section 1301-1309. Sec. 1301. Statement of policy on modernization of electricity grid. Sec. 1302. Smart grid system report. Sec. 1303. Smart grid advisory committee and smart grid task force. Sec. 1304. Smart grid technology research, development, and demonstration. Sec. 1305. Smart grid interoperability framework. Sec. 1306. Federal matching fund for smart grid investment costs. Sec. 1307. State consideration of smart grid. Sec. 1308. Study of the effect of private wire laws on the development of combined heat and power facilities. Sec. 1309. DOE study of security attributes of smart grid systems.
URL: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-6

 

Summary: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law on February 17, 2009. It discussed supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. Summary of information related to Smart Grid discussed in Section 405 includes: Directs the Secretary of Energy, when implementing smart grid regional demonstration initiatives, to provide financial support to projects in urban, suburban, tribal, and rural areas, including areas where electric system assets are controlled by nonprofit entities and areas where electric system assets are controlled by investor-owned utilities. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) establish a smart grid information clearinghouse to make data from projects and other sources available to the public; and (2) precondition funding upon utilization by such demonstration projects of available open protocols and standards (including those that are Internet-based). Extends the authorization of appropriations for the smart grid regional demonstration initiative indefinitely. Increases from 20% to 50% the federal reimbursement match for qualifying smart grid investments under the Smart Grid Investment Matching Grant Program. Repeals the requirement that, in making such grants, the Secretary seek to reward innovation and early adaptation, even if success is not complete, rather than deployment of proven and commercially viable technologies. Revises the exclusion from qualifying smart grid investments of expenditures for technologies, devices, or equipment that are eligible for specific tax credits or deductions. Applies the exclusion only to technologies, devices, or equipment that utilize such tax credits or deductions. Revamps the rules and procedures governing the federal matching fund for smart grid investment costs. Requires as a condition of receiving a grant that recipients utilize open protocols and standards (including those that are Internet-based), if available and appropriate.
URL: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1

 

Summary: The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 was signed into law on October 28, 2009. It discussed appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. Smart Grid was discussed in Title III: Department of Energy that [For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, and other expenses necessary for electricity delivery and energy reliability activities in carrying out the purposes of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any real property or any facility or for plant or facility acquisition, construction, or expansion, $171,982,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That, within the funding available funding the Secretary shall establish an independent national energy sector cyber security organization to institute research, development and deployment priorities, including policies and protocol to ensure the effective deployment of tested and validated technology and software controls to protect the bulk power electric grid and integration of smart grid technology to enhance the security of the electricity grid: Provided further, That within 60 days of enactment, the Secretary shall invite applications from qualified entities for the purpose of forming and governing a national energy sector cyber organization that have the knowledge and capacity to focus cyber security research and development and to identify and disseminate best practices; organize the collection, analysis and dissemination of infrastructure vulnerabilities and threats; work cooperatively with the Department of Energy and other Federal agencies to identify areas where Federal agencies with jurisdiction may best support efforts to enhance security of the bulk power electric grid: Provided further, That, of the amount appropriated in this paragraph, $13,075,000 shall be used for projects specified in the table that appears under the heading [Congressionally Directed Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Projects] in the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report on this Act.]

 

Summary: This Policy Statement provides guidance regarding the development of a smart grid for the nation]s electric transmission system, focusing on the development of key standards to achieve interoperability and functionality of smart grid systems and devices. In response to the need for urgent action on potential challenges to the bulk-power system, in this Policy Statement the Commission provides additional guidance on standards to help to realize a smart grid. Key standards discussed in this policy include: system security, communication and coordination across inter-system interfaces, wide-area situational awareness, demand response, electric storage, and electric vehicles. The Commission also adopts an Interim Rate Policy for the period until interoperability standards are adopted by the Commission, which will encourage investment in smart grid systems.
URL:

Full document: http://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/comm-meet/2009/071609/E-3.pdf
Factsheet: http://www.ferc.gov/news/news-releases/2009/2009-1/03-19-09-E-22-factsheet.pdf