The Lafayette Consolidated Council will vote Tuesday evening on whether to authorize the Lafayette Public Utility Authority’s filing of grants seeking funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the stimulus plan.
The agency is asking to apply for $10 million in funding from the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program through the U.S. Department of Energy. A total of $4.5 billion in DOE funding is available to municipalities “to accelerate the deployment and integration of advanced digital systems that are needed to modernize the nation’s electric delivery network for enhanced interoperability and cyber security.” A 50/50 match is required for the grant.
The Public Utilities Authority is also seeking to capitalize on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, which is making $4.7 billion available to help communities expand broadband access. The agency is seeking an undetermined amount from this grant, which requires an 80/20 match.
To view the complete agenda for Tuesday's council meeting, go here.