Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine has announced on Thursday that the State of Ohio has received $14.2 million in grid resilience formula grant funds from the U.S. Department of Energy.

This announcement comes after the White House's announcement of $30 million in grid resilience funds as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with Ohio getting nearly half of these funds.

21 News caught up with President Biden's Senior Advisor, Mitch Landrieu, who tells us in order to get ready for a clean energy economy, a stronger grid is necessary.

"We need a stronger set and system of infrastructure that moves energy from one place to the next so you don't have blackouts, for example, during tough weather," Landrieu said.

Landrieu says these upgrades would allow for the grid to withstand stronger winds, as well as expand capacity.

"As you know, as people start to use more things that are electric, like vehicles, you need more capacity to do that. So this is a down payment the president's making on Ohio delivering in real time the things that are going to help these people's lives," Landrieu said.

According to a press release from Governor DeWine's office, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) will distribute these funds to projects throughout the state. Projects with priority will generate the most benefit by providing affordable, reliable and clean electricity.

"Successful projects will reduce the frequency and duration of outages in disadvantaged communities and improve the reliability of vital utility service," said PUCO Chair, Jennifer French.

21 News's full interview with Landrieu can be found here.