The GridWise® Alliance and the Smart Grid Policy Center announced the release of the first Grid Modernization Index (GMI). The GMI evaluates and ranks states based on their progress in modernizing their electric systems with smart grid technologies. The announcement was made at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Summer Meeting in Denver, Colorado. The GMI applies a clearly defined set of criteria to evaluate the progress of state grid modernization efforts in three key areas: policy, customer engagement and grid operations. The report highlights the 15 states that scored the highest. California and Texas tied for the highest overall score, followed by Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Arizona, the District of Columbia, Ohio, Nevada, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Oklahoma, Vermont and Maine complete the top fifteen. "The U.S. economy is dependent on a secure, reliable and resilient electric grid. Modernizing America's electric grid is vital to ensuring that our electric system will be able to meet the demands of our digital society," said Becky Harrison, CEO of the GridWise Alliance. "If the U.S. is to achieve a modernized grid, the states will play a major role regarding how, and at what pace, this transition will occur. This makes the information and analysis contained in the GMI of particular interest." "The GMI provides an important evaluation of the progress the states and the District of Columbia are making in their grid modernization efforts", said Kelly Speakes-Backman, Commissioner, Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), and member of the GMI Advisory Committee. "It also provides some interesting insights into the relationships and connections among state policies and regulations, customer engagement, and utility investments in the modernization of the grid, given the variations in state authorities, market structures, and business models." "California strongly supports cost-effective grid modernization investments and expanded customer engagement. I am delighted that the Report recognizes our efforts," said California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) President Michael R. Peevey. "The information in the Index and Report will be very helpful as states and their commissions consider future smart grid investments." GridWise Alliance
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