The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E), a subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp (NYSE: OGE), to receive $50 million to strengthen the electric grid for Oklahoma communities.

“Improving reliability and strengthening the grid for our customers is one of our top priorities,” said Sean Trauschke, chairman, president and CEO of OGE Energy Corp. “Our customers know the impact of living in a part of the United States most impacted by severe storms and extreme weather, and grid automation technology reduces the number of power outages and their duration. This grant by the Department of Energy allows us to double our impact and reduce the cost to our customers.”

The $50 million federal grant will be used by OG&E, along with investments made by the electric company, for an adaptable grid project that will provide grid automation to 92 circuits and 26 substations, improving reliability for approximately 90,000 OG&E customers. Additionally, the adaptable grid project includes the purchase of two mobile battery systems that can be deployed across OG&E’s service area during major restoration events to provide enhanced reliability and resiliency for customers and local infrastructure.

The funds are part of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, which seeks to enhance grid flexibility and improve the resilience of the power system against growing threats of extreme weather and climate change. Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, the GRIP program leverages federal and private investments to ensure that communities across the nation have a reliable grid that's prepared for extreme weather while also delivering affordable, clean energy and creating robust local opportunities for economic investment and jobs.

To learn more, visit oge.com and the Grid Deployment Office’s website.

OG&E, a subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp., provides our customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas with the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes with some of the nation's lowest electric rates. We are committed to generating and delivering electricity, protecting the environment, and providing excellent service to approximately 900,000 customers. Our employees live, work, and volunteer in the communities we serve. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.