DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) has been awarded an $83 million stimulus grant by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Smart Grid Investment Program to accelerate installation of electronic power meters that allow the company to remotely monitor residential power use and respond more quickly to outages.

DTE Energy Chairman and CEO Anthony Earley said that the company’s SmartCurrents program will improve the economy by spurring new jobs in meter manufacturing.

“There are environmental benefits, too,” he said. “By reducing our vehicle use related to meter reading, we’ll also cut our carbon emissions and fuel consumption.”

The Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corp. (NYSE:WHR) was awarded $19.3 by the federal smart grid program.

Whirlpool, which according to Business Week, controls 40 percent of the U.S. appliance market, will use the money to develop appliances that can communicate with the electricity grid.

“The grants announced today are a great example of public and private partnerships that will create the next generation of energy saving solutions,” Whirlpool North America President Mike Todman said in a statement. “Smart appliances combined with time of use pricing offer consumers the greatest ability to save money on energy costs while benefiting the environment.”

Whirlpool is also expected to benefit from a federal cash-for-clunkers type program that would give consumers incentives for buying new energy efficient appliances.