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Senate hearing covers microgrid bill that would authorize local microgrids and define small modular reactor use
Summary
Sen. David Waters introduced SB 230 to authorize state approval of localized microgrids for critical infrastructure and to add a statutory definition for small modular reactors (SMRs); Department of Energy and Eversource raised concerns about safety, redundancy, rulemaking and recommended waiting for an ongoing DOE microgrid study.
Sen. David Waters (District 4) told the committee Senate Bill 230 would provide a statutory framework for microgrids, define what qualifies as a microgrid, and add a statutory definition for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) so they can be considered as a clean energy resource in authorized microgrids.
Waters said microgrids could serve critical infrastructure — hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, public safety facilities, municipal buildings or data centers — and that a clear statute would help signal to investors that New Hampshire has a predictable permitting and review pathway. He said the bill separates smaller renewable‑plus‑storage microgrids (proposed 10‑megawatt cap in the draft) from larger SMR‑powered projects (he referenced a per‑unit SMR definition up to 300 megawatts used by certain vendors).
Eversource witness Michael Licata said the company supports incentives for microgrids but raised safety and operational concerns about unregulated third parties constructing and operating electric infrastructure in public rights‑of‑way without utility obligations for emergency response, safety inspections and system isolation. Licata also asked that the bill avoid creating duplicative poles/wires and clarified how cost recovery and the allocation of system upgrade costs would work under existing ratemaking rules.
The Department of Energy (attorney Matt Young) said DOE is neutral but noted the department has an active, legislatively directed investigation into microgrids (HB 558) and has opened a proceeding with recommendations due to the legislature later this year. The department urged the committee to allow that study to conclude and to use the report before enacting a statutory framework; DOE said SB 230 overlaps many issues under study, including safety, redundancy, planning and cost allocation.
Committee members asked about zoning, consumer protections and safeguards that would prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers. The bill draft directs the Public Utilities Commission to approve petitions that meet several public‑interest criteria and requires any increased costs to the broader transmission or distribution system be borne by the microgrid sponsor rather than general ratepayers.
The committee voted to move SB 230 to executive session for further consideration. No final authorizations were issued at the hearing.
