Committee replaces microgrid language, adds small modular reactor definition to distributed energy statute

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved a committee amendment to remove detailed microgrid provisions from a pending bill and to add a statutory definition for small modular reactors (SMRs). The change also explicitly included SMRs among technologies classed as distributed energy resources.

Sponsors said the amendment is a "replace all" that drops the earlier microgrid planning text and retains only the definition language for SMRs (described in committee as up to 300 megawatts, the size used by some federal labs). Committee discussion emphasized that adding a statutory definition would allow SMRs to be treated consistently with other distributed resources — for example, energy storage and distributed generation — for purposes such as reducing line loss, supporting voltage regulation and peak‑load shaving.

A sponsor noted that several small modular reactor designs under development would fit the 300‑megawatt definition used in the amendment and that some SMR units are transportable. Committee members described the change as modest and appropriate and approved the committee amendment by voice vote. The bill was moved out “as amended” with consent.

Why it matters: Adding SMRs to the distributed resources statute creates a statutory place for those technologies in state energy planning and could affect permitting, grid‑integration strategies and future procurement considerations.

Next steps: The bill sponsor indicated plans to take the amended bill to the floor; members approved advancing the measure with the committee amendment.