Indiana gets $39 million for energy grid upgrades

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana is getting about $39 million in federal grants to help modernize the state's utility operations and local electrical grids.

The funding is part of about $3.4 billion the Obama administration is making available for 100 projects nationwide to upgrade the nation's power grid.

Indianapolis Power and Light Co. will get Indiana's largest share — $20 million — to install more than 28,000 smart meters that allow two-way communications and grid control.

The Carmel-based Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, which manages electrical transmission systems in 15 states and one Canadian province, will get $17.2 million to improve energy dispatching and grid reliability.

The city of Auburn in northeast Indiana will get $2 million to modernize its power system.