Microgrid bill passes House Energy & Environment committee 11-1

A bill to create a grant program for microgrids, sponsored by Representative Rod Pelton, R-Cheyenne Wells, recently won a 11-1 vote from the House Energy & Environment Committee.

House Bill 1013 sets up the Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program in the Department of Local Affairs for rural communities that lose electricity during a wildfire or blizzard.

The microgrid would be run by a co-op, such as a rural electric association, to provide emergency service to selected community resources when the electricity goes out, Pelton explained to the committee.

Co-sponsor Rep. Marc Snyder,...