Tuesday, April 14, 2009
NIST Announces Three-Phase Plan for Smart Grid Standards, Paving Way for More Efficient, Reliable Electricity
GAITHERSBURG, Md. - As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to moving the nation toward energy independence, the U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today a three-phase plan to expedite development of key standards for a Smart Grid, a nationwide network that uses information technology to deliver electricity efficiently, reliably, and securely. The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) contains investments critical to spurring the Smart Grid development process.
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 Friday, April 3, 2009
Department of Commerce Inspector General Issues Recovery Act Flash Report on the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
The Recovery Act authorized the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to implement the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program—a $4.7 billion one-time competitive matching grants program to expand broadband services to unserved and underserved areas, improve broadband access for public safety agencies, stimulate the economy and create jobs. NTIA is taking on this program midway through its administration of the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) program—a $1 billion grants initiative established by the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005. The Commerce Office of Inspector General has statutory oversight responsibilities for each of these similarly structured programs. OIG audit work on PSIC to date provides important lessons learned for NTIA to consider as it implements the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program to ensure funds are used effectively and grants meet program objectives. The report describes these lessons learned and is the first in a series of timely advisory reports the Commerce OIG intends to issue on NTIA’s administration of the Broadband Technology Opportunities program.
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 Thursday, April 2, 2009
DOC creates Web site for NTIA Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program and DTV Converter Box Program
The Recovery Act provides critical funding for two programs at NTIA: the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program was established with $4.7 billion for awards to eligible entities to develop and expand broadband services to rural and underserved areas, and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies. The TV Converter Box Coupon Program was established with $650 million to allow NTIA to issue coupons to all households currently on the waiting list, to start mailing coupons via first class mail and to ensure vulnerable populations are prepared for the transition from analog-to-digital television transmission.
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 Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Commerce's TV Converter Box Coupon Program Now Accepting Requests to Replace Expired Coupons to Assist More Americans with Transition to Digital TV
Program's Waiting List for Coupons Cleared as a Result of Funding Authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
WASHINGTON - As the June 12 deadline for the nationwide conversion to digital TV approaches, the TV Converter Box Coupon Program has begun to accept replacement requests from eligible households whose coupons expired without being redeemed. Meanwhile, money allocated to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has allowed NTIA to clear the digital converter box coupon waiting list.
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 Monday, March 16, 2009
NIST Recovery Act Measurement Science and Engineering Research Grants Program: Providing the Technology Infrastructure to Address National Priorities
The U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Institute of Standards and Technology announce the availability of up to $35 million to award approximately 20-60 grants and cooperative agreements in support of measurement science and engineering research as part of NIST's activities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Proposals will be considered that address measurement science and engineering research needs in areas of national importance. These areas of national importance are energy, environment and climate change, information technology/cybersecurity, biosciences/healthcare, manufacturing, and physical infrastructure. These grants will support NIST's mission to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.
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