Kerry Frustrated By Pace Of Smart Grid

Senate Commerce Communications, Technology, and the Internet Subcommittee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) expressed "frustration" Tuesday that the Obama administration has not moved fast enough to build out the country's electricity infrastructure.

"I don't often express frustrations publicly about things on the administration, but this is one ... I don't get it. I don't understand ... why this wasn't issue almost number one," Chairman Kerry said during a subcommittee hearing. "[If] you want to get the economy moving, you've got to build out America's grid."

Federal Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra responded by saying the administration is committed to working with Congress on policies for connecting the country's regional electricity grids but acknowledged that the White House has not unveiled its own proposal on the issue. According to Chairman Kerry, efforts to unite these systems might be essential before the country can begin saving energy through widespread use of smart grid technology.