Manny Diaz, the mayor of Miami, Florida, U.S., has announced a energy initiative that proposes to use federal economic stimulus funds to help spur a US$200 million investment in smart grid technology and renewable energy over the next two years.

The “Energy Smart Miami” initiative would help Miami-Dade County consumers save money by giving them more choices over how they consume and conserve electrical power. It also would generate near-term demand for green-collar jobs to support its implementation, while further solidifying Miami's national leadership in championing the responsible environmental practices needed to address the longer-term challenge of addressing climate change, which poses a significant threat to Florida and its coastal regions.

The backbone of Energy Smart Miami will be the deployment of more than 1 million advanced wireless smart meters to every home and most businesses in Miami-Dade County. These meters will give Florida Power & Light Co. customers more information and control over their electricity usage, while also providing FPL with information that will enhance system efficiency and reliability. Implementation of the smart meters will be based on open network architecture, allowing other providers to develop and deploy new applications that could, for example, help consumers better manage the electricity usage of their air conditioning and appliances.

“The Energy Smart Miami initiative is an investment in the future of our city, our residents and our neighborhoods, and is an important step toward creating the green jobs of the future and building a clean energy economy,” Mayor Diaz said. “This initiative will contribute to the Obama administration's goals of investing in alternative and renewable energy, ending our addiction to foreign oil, addressing the global climate crisis and creating millions of new green jobs. I look forward to working with our partners in the private sector to create a model of putting the economic stimulus plan in action and breaking ground right away.”

The project's sponsors are proud to have the support of South Florida native Carol Browner, the former Environmental Protection Agency administrator who now serves as President Obama's point person on energy and climate change, and U.S. Representative Kendrick Meek of Miami, among others.

“With the Recovery Act, President Obama demonstrated his commitment to developing a bigger, smarter, stronger electric grid that will not only reduce our energy costs but also reduce our energy use,” Browner said. “There's no time to waste. It's time for action. I commend Mayor Diaz for creating a plan that will put these recovery dollars to work and make Miami a smart grid model for cities across our country. With projects like Energy Smart Miami, we can stimulate the economy today and build a brighter, cleaner tomorrow.”

“The benefits of the federal stimulus are twofold here in Florida. It will help revive our state's economy by assisting families who are facing unprecedented financial challenges. It will also lay the foundation for a more prosperous future,” Meek said. “By investing economic stimulus funds in smart grid technology, Energy Smart Miami is breaking new ground. Miami-Dade County consumers will be equipped with information that can ultimately help them save money while also giving them more control over their electricity usage.”

Joining Mayor Diaz for the announcement were FPL Group Chairman and CEO Lewis Hay III, GE Chairman and CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt, Cisco Systems Chairman and CEO John T. Chambers, and Silver Spring Networks Chairman, CEO and President Scott Lang.