Dive Summary:

• Last Thursday, U.S. Representative Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) introduced the “Smart Grid Advancement Act of 2013”, requiring states and utilities to set goals to slash peak demand using smart grid technologies.
• Utilities will have to post a minimum decrease in peak demand by 2015 while the law also pushes to expand the Energy Star Program, equipping customers with information to purchase energy efficient and cost-saving appliances.
• The congressman cited the recent Department of Energy report revealing that smart grid projects have generated $7 billion in total economic output and 47,000 jobs. For every million dollars of direct smart grid spending, the nation's gross domestic product increased by $2.5 million.

From the article:
 

"In order to better utilize our energy resources, we must become more efficient and transition to lower carbon energy systems. Making necessary investments in the nation's smart grid is one way to facilitate this transition," said Rep. McNerney, the only renewable energy expert in Congress.