SACRAMENTO /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement applauding President Barack Obama’s announcement to invest $3.4 billion in smart-grid technology throughout the nation, including over $200 million in California:
“I applaud President Obama for investing in a national smart energy grid that will help reduce electricity demand and increase accessibility to clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar around the nation. The grants announced today and $4.6 million in cost share funding from the California Energy Commission will allow utilities to reduce our demand on electricity, provide consumers with more control and choice over their energy use, and increase renewable energy sources in our state. These new grants will also create thousands of jobs around the nation – including right here in California – when we need them most. Clean, renewable power will play a key role in helping us meet our goals for a better environment and stronger economy, and I am pleased we have federal partners that will help us get there.”
Earlier this month, the California Recovery Task Force announced that preliminary first quarter reports show American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds managed by state government entities have cumulatively saved or created over 100,000 jobs in California through September 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2009, preliminary reports show state government entities in California that are required to report to the federal government have been awarded (publicly announced by the federal government, may not yet be available to spend) $12.7 billion and have expended $5.3 billion Recovery Act funds.
