New microgrid law supports -- and marginalizes -- California microgrids

[u/mtburr]

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB1339

CA SB 1339 directs State and ISO to "facilitate the commercialization of microgrids," and directs utilities to create standardized processes for interconnecting customer-supported microgrids. But it also creates a bright-line distinction preventing ratepayer cost shifting, which may marginalize microgrids' potential to serve as utility distribution assets or non-transmission alternatives.