The green and mountainous state of Vermont is getting a bit of a technological makeover.

Vermont’s governor Peter Shumlin announced that Vermont has plans to enter into a smart-grid broadband deal, allowing for better energy consumption, job creation and access to broadband.

Smart grid is a type of electrical grid that attempts to predict and intelligently respond to the behavior and actions of all electric power users connected to it - suppliers, consumers and those that do both – in order to efficiently deliver reliable, economic, and sustainable electricity services. Smart grids better facilitate the connection and operation of generators of all sizes and technologies and provide consumers with greater information and options for choice of supply.

It also significantly reduces the environmental impact of the whole electricity supply system.

In an agreement between Mountain Power, Central Vermont Public Service Corp., and Vermont Telephone Company, smart grid technology will be deployed, allowing for an expanded broadband network for the state as well as Internet access to a larger territory.

"What we are celebrating today is the operating agreement that supports the marriage of smart grid and our telecommunications infrastructure. Smart grid is a national and Vermont priority," Shumlin said as reported by The Associated Press.

A smart grid, is, in essence, an attempt to require consumers to change their behavior around variable electric rates or to pay vastly increased rates for the privilege of reliable electrical service during high-demand conditions. As far as technology is concerned, integrated communications will allow for real-time control, and information and data exchange to optimize system reliability, asset utilization, and security.

The three key benefits for Vermont include cheaper deployment of the technology, broadband deployment and having a larger broadband footprint, something that has always been a challenge for the state.

"From the department's point of view, it's Vermont frugality at work and it's a win-win for the customers and the companies," Public Service Commissioner Elizabeth Miller said. "Vermont will be a leader in getting this done.”