Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a streamlined process for microgrid implementation.

Highlights:

• Authorize transmission and distribution utility, and persons who construct, maintain or operate a new microgrid to construct and maintain its lines in any municipality where it is allowed to supply electricity (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits persons other than transmission and distribution utility, and persons who construct, maintain and operate a new microgrid to construct and maintain electric lines, poles, and other related structures unless (Sec. 1): 

• The person satisfies the requirements of Sec. 2503; 

• The person hired provides a licensing authority  performance bond in the amount of the value of the line, poles or related structures, and that is enforceable for one year from the date the line is energized; and

• The person must notify the transmission and service utility in whose service territory the line will be built.

• Specifies that persons who construct, maintain, or operate a new microgrid do not become a public utility and are not subject to regulation as a public utility (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the commission to approve a petition to construct and operate a new microgrid if it is found to be in the public interest and meets the following requirements (Sec. 2):

• The proposed new microgrid will serve a total load of a maximum of 10 megawatts;

• The distributed energy resources for the new microgrid meet portfolio requirements mentioned in Sec. 3210, subsections 3 and 3-A;

• The person proposing the new microgrid must have the financial capacity to operate the new microgrid, and means to prove it, as well as the technical capacity;

• There is a relationship between the proposed new microgrid operator and consumers in the area to be served by the proposed new microgrid;

• The person proposing the new microgrid must not be an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility, an affiliate, or an affiliated interest of an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility; and

• The proposed new microgrid must only positively affect the reliability and security of the electrical system.

• Establishes a commission oversight for a new microgrid to ensure reliability and security of the electrical system and consumer protections for new microgrid consumers (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text