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GITA’s Industry Trends and Analysis Group (ITAG) [click for larger image at right] put a focus on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) aka the stimulus package. During the meeting, I presented some of the resources about where stimulus money will be headed. The PowerPoint presentation used by the group can now be download. A brief summary is below.
I moderated GITA’s Industry Trends and Analysis Group (ITAG) today in which the group of approximately 75 attendees discussed not only their industry’s key technologies and applications but also the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and how each will attempt to secure funds from the stimulus bill.
But common to each group was a discussion of smart grid technology. Does it apply to just the electric utility industry or do all other sectors have their own "smart grid." As importantly is that each industry must rely on another if they want to conserve funds.
Cyndi Salas (pictured at easel at right) of CenterPoint Energy, the ITAG leader for electric utilities commented that Smart Grid technology is a collection of many technology improvements. Smart Grid is not just one thing; it is really the integration of multiple technologies. Salas also said that it encompasses a broader industry movement that should be treated as a transformative opportunity.
But there were two other concerns: The first is that the ultimate smart technology solution may be a few years down the road. Second, the consumer just wants to lower their energy bill without understanding that a change to their energy consumption behavior would have to be altered even if it is as simple as buying a programmable thermostat.
Today, Tampa Mayor, Pam Iorio, addressed GITA’s Industry Trends and Analysis Group (ITAG) during this first day of the conference. Iorio injected her personal experience with both benefiting from the use of geospatial technology as well as her expectations about receiving funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), aka the "stimulus bill."
"I think the jury is still out,” said Iorio. She mentioned that Tampa was the 54th largest city in the U.S. and that perhaps the 53 other cities were first in line for getting any stimulus money. She doesn’t see where the stimulus will make a difference in the local Tampa economy but does believe President Obama was correct in focusing on infrastructure."
Iorio credited some of the 46% drop in the crime rate over the last six years to the use of crime mapping by her police department. Tampa is also investing $60 million in storm water management and upgrading the city’s subsurface infrastructure is high on the list of the mayor’s priorities. However, she also realizes that it’s not always one of the most "visible" signs of the improvements she has fostered as mayor. She lamented that "you can’t cut a ribbon over a sewer pipe."
Doug Leibbrandt from M. J. Harden and Associates (A GeoEye company) and the current president of the Geospatial Infrastructure and Technology Association (GITA) opened the conference by welcoming the attendees and recognizing this year’s Excellence Award Winners, SECO Engery and Xcel Energy.
One of the big questions coming from the GITA Industry Trends and Analysis Group (ITAG) meeting is ‘what kind of project has the most potential of attracting stimulus money?’
The issue has profound impact for public as well as private utilities. If a project has been funded already, i.e. pre-American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) enactment, then that project may not be eligible for stimulus money. Then what? Propose a project that is within the guidelines of the stimulus bill to get money? It may be a case of the tail wagging the dog…go find or create a project to get money under the ARRA.
