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Commission approves $177,194.24 grid-resiliency grant contract for switchgear building
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to approve a grid-resiliency grant contract—up to $177,194.24—from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to help fund a new electrical switchgear building that will replace century-old equipment.
The Virginia Public Utilities commission on May 28 approved a grid-resiliency grant contract with funding of up to $177,194.24 from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to support construction of a new electrical switchgear building.
Greg, a utility staff member, described the project and the grant: “Way back when we came to you and said that there was a potential grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce for this electrical switchgear building that we're gonna build here that's gonna take all the old hundred year old switchgear out of the power plant and put it in a a new building. . . . We were awarded a grant up to $177,194.24.” He recommended the commission approve the contract as presented.
One commissioner asked whether the action should separately state acceptance of the award versus approval of a contract; staff replied the contract was included in the packet and formal action via the commission was appropriate. The commission then voted to approve the contract; the vote carried unanimously.
Why it matters: the grant will offset the cost of replacing century-old switchgear and is structured as a formal contract the commission must approve to document the utility’s participation and secure the funds.
Details: staff said the building is intended to house new switchgear removed from the existing power plant. The grant amount was given as “up to $177,194.24.” The commission did not specify a construction timeline in the discussion beyond prior work to begin the building and the grant award having been secured.
