You should've been waiting for this day to come. . .

Because today is the day the Department of Energy announced $3.4 billion worth of federal funding to "speed deployment of advanced technology designed to cut energy use and make the electric-power grid more robust."

In laymen's terms: the Federal government is paying for about 18 million new smart meters to be installed in homes and offices around the country.

The grants are part of the stimulus. . . and will be paid out to 100 utilities across the country in spurts ranging from $400,000 to $200 million.

Like Putting Cash in Your Pocket

For investors and consumers alike, this is the equivalent of receiving free money.

As a consumer. . . you could be the recipient of one of these free smart meters. That would enable you to save hundreds of dollars on your utility bills through better energy understanding and management.

I know I'll be getting one, since my local utility, Baltimore Gas & Electric, has been awarded $200 million.

But it gets even better for investors. . .

You see, the government — by giving money to utilities — is about to purchase billions of dollars' worth of new equipment for the electric grid.

And, thanks to new transparency requirements associated with the stimulus, I've been able to find out exactly which companies will be the beneficiaries.

Now, I shouldn't have to tell you what happens to the stock of companies that receive free government cheese. Be it for lucrative defense contracts or biotech research grants. . . when government funding is announced, stocks fly.

This time, it just happens to be energy's turn. And over the past few months, I've compiled a list of companies certain to receive stimulus payouts.

The investment potential here is massive. Just imagine having a list of companies guaranteed to get government funding. . . along with the exact date on which they'll receive it.

It's the kind of information that can lead to early retirement. So, it goes without saying that I've been keeping it closely guarded.

But now that the Department of Energy has made a formal announcement, I'm giving away the list to all who want to read it.

Simply click here.

Call it like you see it,

Nick