Making smart decisions: Utilities ask, 'What do I do now?'

In late October, US utilities, manufacturers and technology firms received $3.4 billion to modernize the country's electric power system. While many of the grants were awarded to small utilities to deploy smart-grid technology, several large utilities received grants of up to $200 million each. Utilities will have to meet complex reporting and compliance requirements to make sure tax dollars are appropriately spent.

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