The Jamestown Board Of Public Utilities has been awarded more than $17 million to improve its electric infrastructure through a program with the U.S. Department of Energy. P-J file photo

A program through the U.S. Department of Energy is providing the Jamestown Board Of Public Utilities more than $17 million to improve its electric infrastructure.

The funding, by way of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program, is meant to alleviate power outages and provide electricity for public services, schools and hospitals during emergency situations.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the funding Wednesday, which he said will be used to create a new microgrid system. He said the “major federal investment” comes out of the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law.

“Anyone in Western New York knows how snowstorms often pose a severe risk to our electric grids, knocking out power for days and putting lives at risk,” Schumer said. “This $17-plus million federal boost will help Jamestown build a new microgrid so electricity can continue to flow for public services, schools, the city’s hospital and more during emergency situations.

“When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, it was the win-win-win of life-saving investments in grid resilience — like those Jamestown has proposed — that simultaneously create good paying jobs locally, and promote affordable electricity that I had top of mind. I am proud to help deliver this major federal investment to power Jamestown’s electric future and supercharge the infrastructure Western NY needs to keep our communities safe in extreme weather.”

Project specifics have not yet been announced.

David Leathers, BPU general manager, said the city was “extremely grateful” to receive the award from the U.S. Department of Energy.

“Federal funding of our microgrid project allows us the opportunity to deliver reliable and resilient electricity in the case of a widespread outage, directly impacting our customers and our community,” he said in a statement provided by Schumer’s office. “We look forward to working with the Department of Energy to finalize this work.”

Jamestown’s microgrid project will provide the city with the “resources needed to deliver a reliable and resilient electricity grid to the downtown corridor and broader community during regional power outages,” Schumer’s office said.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said the BPU has “been at the forefront of providing resilient, reliable electricity to the residents of our city.” The project will be matched with a local share cost of about $5.8 million.

He added, “Not only will the microgrid support our city and enable life-saving energy to be accessed during the times it’s needed most, it will be developed entirely by our local workforce. Our people are our greatest asset and with the BPU’s commitment to hire 100% unionized labor, every dollar from this grant will remain within the city. We thank the Department of Energy, the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, and Senator Schumer for their continued belief and tireless advocacy for this investment in Jamestown.”