Technical assistance for utilities, utility regulators, and other stakeholders

(a) In general Title VI of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 is amended by inserting after section 609 (7 U.S.C. 918c) the following: 610. Technical, educational, and other assistance on microgrids (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) an electric utility, including the board of an electric cooperative; (B) an electric utility regulator, including a State regulatory authority, such as a public utility commission; (C) a State or a State energy office; (D) an agency, authority, corporation, or instrumentality of a State or Indian Tribe; (E) a unit of local government or a political subdivision of a State or Indian Tribe; (F) a policymaker having authority with respect to— (i) an electric utility; (ii) the regulation of electric utilities or the sale of electric energy; or (iii) any other matter relating to the adoption or use of microgrids; and (G) any other relevant entity, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Microgrid The term microgrid has the meaning given the term in section 111(d)(22)(A). (3) National Laboratory The term National Laboratory has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801). (4) State energy office The term State energy office means the State agency responsible for developing a State energy conservation plan under section 362 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6322). (b) Technical assistance on microgrid adoption The Secretary, on request, shall provide to eligible entities technical assistance to facilitate the adoption and deployment of microgrids, including technical assistance with respect to— (1) interconnection processes; (2) valuation and verification of microgrid benefits; (3) integrated distribution system and resource planning, including behind-the-meter resources; (4) co-locating microgrid infrastructure and large industrial and commercial loads; and (5) other relevant considerations, as determined by the Secretary. (c) Technical assistance on implementation of the STRONG GRID Act of 2026 (1) In general The Secretary, on request, shall provide technical assistance to State agencies and other eligible entities, including State regulatory authorities, State regulated electric utilities, and nonregulated electric utilities, with respect to— (A) regulatory proceedings relating to paragraphs (22) and (23) of section 111(d); (B) the adoption or use of microgrids as part of the State Energy Program established under part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.); or (C) the grant program established under section 367(b) of that Act. (2) National Laboratories The Secretary may provide technical assistance under paragraph (1) through the National Laboratories, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (d) Best practices The Secretary, in coordination with the National Laboratories and in consultation with State energy offices and other stakeholders, as determined by the Secretary, shall develop best practices for the following matters with respect to microgrids and microgrid components: (1) Interconnection processes. (2) Cybersecurity. (3) Personal data protection. (4) Ownership. (e) Workshops, roundtables, and other activities The Secretary shall host workshops, roundtables, information sessions, and other activities to provide to eligible entities education and information about microgrids, including with respect to— (1) the benefits of microgrids and the role of microgrids in strengthening electric grid resilience, reducing emissions, managing demand, and meeting load growth and other energy industry challenges; (2) best practices, standards, and protocols for the regulation, development, implementation, operation, and management of microgrids; and (3) resources and technical assistance opportunities available to eligible entities from the Secretary and other Federal agencies.. (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–617; 92 Stat. 3118) is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title VI the following: Sec. 609. Rural and remote communities electrification grants. Sec. 610. Technical, educational, and other assistance on microgrids..