Rep. Matsui Asks FCC to Allow Smart Grid Technology to Utilize TV White Spaces

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 21, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

Today, Congresswomen Doris Matsui (CA-05) and Anna Eshoo (CA-14), sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski asking that the FCC consider allowing smart grid applications to utilize TV white spaces. The FCC has authority to put unused wireless spectrum that sits between TV channels to use by reallocating the spectrum to other technologies. For example, in November 2008, the FCC voted to allow the use of white spaces for broadband. The FCC is scheduled to meet on Thursday to decide the future of the use of the additional spectrum.

Unused white spaces provides a tremendous potential economic benefit for advancing technologies, including clean energy and smart grid technologies, stated Congresswoman Matsui. I am hopeful that the FCC will allow smart grid technologies to utilize white spaces. Advances in smart grid technology offer consumers the ability to monitor their energy usage and will allow electric utilities greater capability to better manage outages, reduce peak demand, and gain more control over the decisions concerning resources. If the FCC decides to allow smart grid technologies to utilize white spaces, I am certain that we will see innovative applications that will further move our country towards a clean energy future.

In their letter, Congresswomen Matsui and Eshoo touted the benefits of allowing smart grid technology to access the white spaces, such as allowing consumers to track their energy usage in real-time. The Congresswomen wrote, There could also be substantial benefits for utility applications from the use of white spaces for smart grid technologies. Utilities will be able to better manage outages, reduce peak demand, and gain more control over the decisions concerning resources.

To view a copy of the letter Congresswomen Matsui and Eshoo sent to the FCC, click here .