Security and the Smart Grid Investment Act

From South Jersey to You: The Courier Post Online reports that PSE&G is applying for federal stimulus dollars as a source of funding for their grid upgrade to make it Smart Grid capable. As they look for approximately $76M ( 50% of the expected costs of the improvements ) in tax dollars, the utility is highlighting the project's effects on job creation and advancement of Smart Grid goals. They are applying for a grant through the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program, which has made $3.9B available for Smart Grid Technologies and Grid Infrastructure.

One interesting note within the Grant program ( which you can look for at FedConnect ) is located in Part IV, Section B.3.b. It is a requirement for a project plan within the application for grant to contain a:

technical approach that describes how the project will address interoperability and cyber-security;

On request of the SGSBlog, PSE&G Investor Relations is going to see if they can produce a public copy of that section of the application. More data as it becomes available.