A few weeks ago, reports surfaced that those companies and cities that received some of the $3.4 billion in smart grid grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services could potential have to pay taxes on the funds. 

Now, some good news is on the horizon, as the Internal Revenue Service, or “IRS,” reportedly announced that companies that received smart grid imitative funds would not have to pay taxes on them. Phew. 

Helping businesses, utilities and local governments adopt renewable energy operations that will increase the capabilities of the smart grid infrastructure, as well as solar and wind, to evolve, the clearance of no taxes will allow companies to push forward with their projects, since many were halting production awaiting the tax decision. 

In addition, the decision by the IRS will allow the U.S. Department of Energy to finish handing out the rest of the money to other businesses for more operations. 

According to Matt Rogers, senior adviser to the U.S. secretary of energy, this is an important step toward reaching the administration’s goal of a more reliable and efficient electrical grid. 

“As these projects move forward, they will create thousands of new jobs and bring smart grid technologies to communities around the nation,” Rogers said.