42 U.S.C. § 17391 — Voluntary state, regional, and local elec-

Page 9059 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 17391 networks to achieve the objectives described in paragraph (2); (C) ensures a reliable, resilient, affordable, safe, and secure electric grid; and (D) acknowledges and accounts for dif- ferent priorities, electric systems, and rate structures across States and regions. (2) Objectives The pathways established under paragraph (1) shall facilitate achievement of as many of the following objectives as practicable: (A) Near real-time situational awareness of the electric system. (B) Data visualization. (C) Advanced monitoring and control of the advanced electric grid. (D) Enhanced certainty of policies for in- vestment in the electric grid. (E) Increased innovation. (F) Greater consumer empowerment. (G) Enhanced grid resilience, reliability, and robustness. (H) Improved— (i) integration of distributed energy re- sources; (ii) interoperability of the electric sys- tem; and (iii) predictive modeling and capacity forecasting. (I) Reduced cost of service for consumers. (J) Diversification of generation sources. (3) Steering committee Not later than 90 days after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall establish a steering committee to help develop the pathways under paragraph (1), to be composed of members ap- pointed by the Secretary, consisting of per- sons with appropriate expertise representing a diverse range of interests in the public, pri- vate, and academic sectors, including rep- resentatives of— (A) the Federal Energy Regulatory Com- mission; (B) the National Laboratories; (C) States; (D) State regulatory authorities; (E) transmission organizations; (F) representatives of all sectors of the electric power industry; (G) institutions of higher education; (H) independent research institutes; and (I) other entities. (b) Technical assistance The Secretary may provide technical assist- ance to States, Indian Tribes, or units of local government to adopt or implement one or more elements of the pathways developed under sub- section (a)(1), including on a pilot basis. (Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8008, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2586.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was enacted as part of the Energy Act of 2020, and not as part of the Energy Independence and Secu- rity Act of 2007 which comprises this chapter. § 17391. Voluntary state, regional, and local elec- tricity distribution planning (a) In general On the request of a State, regional organiza- tion, or electric utility, the Secretary of Energy shall provide assistance to States, regional orga- nizations, and electric utilities to facilitate the development of State, regional, and local elec- tricity distribution plans by— (1) conducting a resource assessment and analysis of future demand and distribution re- quirements; and (2) developing open source tools for State, regional, and local planning and operations. (b) Risk and security analysis The assessment under subsection (a)(1) shall include— (1) the evaluation of the physical security, cybersecurity, and associated communications needs of an advanced distribution manage- ment system and the integration of distrib- uted energy resources; and (2) advanced use of grid architecture to ana- lyze risks in an all-hazards approach that in- cludes communications infrastructure, control systems architecture, and power systems ar- chitecture. (c) Designation The information collected for the assessment and analysis under subsection (a)(1)— (1) shall be considered to be critical electric infrastructure information under section 824o–1 of title 16; and (2) shall only be released in compliance with regulations implementing that section. (d) Technical assistance For the purpose of assisting in the develop- ment of State and regional electricity distribu- tion plans, the Secretary shall provide technical assistance to— (1) States; (2) regional reliability entities; and (3) other distribution asset owners and oper- ators. (e) Withdrawal A State or any entity that has requested tech- nical assistance under this section may with- draw the request for technical assistance at any time, and on such withdrawal, the Secretary shall terminate all assistance efforts. (f) Effect Nothing in this section authorizes the Sec- retary to require any State, regional organiza- tion, regional reliability entity, asset owner, or asset operator to adopt any model, tool, plan, analysis, or assessment. (Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8010, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2588.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was enacted as part of the Energy Act of 2020, and not as part of the Energy Independence and Secu- rity Act of 2007 which comprises this chapter. Page 9060 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 17392 § 17392. Micro-grid and integrated micro-grid systems program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Integrated micro-grid system The term ‘‘integrated micro-grid system’’ means a micro-grid system that— (A) comprises generation from both con- ventional and renewable energy resources; and (B) may use grid-scale energy storage. (2) Isolated community The term ‘‘isolated community’’ means a community that is powered by a stand-alone electric generation and distribution system without the economic and reliability benefits of connection to a regional electric grid. (3) Micro-grid system The term ‘‘micro-grid system’’ means a lo- calized grid that operates autonomously, re- gardless of whether the grid can operate in connection with another grid. (4) Rural electric cooperative The term ‘‘rural electric cooperative’’ means an electric cooperative (as defined in section 796 of title 16) that sells electric energy to per- sons in rural areas. (5) Strategy The term ‘‘strategy’’ means the strategy de- veloped pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(B). (b) Program (1) Establishment The Secretary of Energy (in this section re- ferred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall establish a program to promote the development of— (A) integrated micro-grid systems for iso- lated communities; and (B) micro-grid systems to increase the re- silience of critical infrastructure. (2) Requirements The program established under paragraph (1) shall— (A) develop a feasibility assessment for— (i) integrated micro-grid systems in iso- lated communities; and (ii) micro-grid systems to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure; (B) develop an implementation strategy, in accordance with paragraph (3), to promote the development of integrated micro-grid systems for isolated communities, particu- larly for those communities exposed to ex- treme weather conditions and high energy costs, including electricity, space heating and cooling, and transportation; (C) develop an implementation strategy to promote the development of micro-grid sys- tems that increase the resilience of critical infrastructure; and (D) carry out cost-shared demonstration projects, based upon the strategies developed under subparagraph (B) that include the de- velopment of physical and cybersecurity plans to take appropriate measures to pro- tect and secure the electric grid. (3) Requirements for strategy In developing the strategy under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary shall consider— (A) opportunities for improving the effi- ciency of existing integrated micro-grid sys- tems; (B) the capacity of the local workforce to operate, maintain, and repair a integrated micro-grid system as well as opportunities to improve that capacity; (C) leveraging existing capacity within local or regional research organizations, such as organizations based at institutions of higher education, to support development of integrated micro-grid systems, including by testing novel components and systems prior to field deployment; (D) the need for basic infrastructure to de- velop, deploy, and sustain a integrated micro-grid system; (E) input of traditional knowledge from local leaders of isolated communities in the development of a integrated micro-grid sys- tem; (F) the impact of integrated micro-grid systems on defense, homeland security, eco- nomic development, and environmental in- terests; (G) opportunities to leverage existing interagency coordination efforts and rec- ommendations for new interagency coordi- nation efforts to minimize unnecessary over- head, mobilization, and other project costs; and (H) any other criteria the Secretary deter- mines appropriate. (c) Collaboration The program established under subsection (b)(1) shall be carried out in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including, as appro- priate— (1) States; (2) Indian Tribes; (3) regional entities and regulators; (4) units of local government; (5) institutions of higher education; and (6) private sector entities. (d) Report Not later than 180 days after December 27, 2020, and annually thereafter until calendar year 2029, the Secretary shall submit to the Com- mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Com- merce of the House of Representatives a report on the efforts to implement the program estab- lished under subsection (b)(1) and the status of the strategy developed under subsection (b)(2)(B). (e) Barriers and benefits to micro-grid systems (1) Report Not later than 270 days after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to the Com- mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the benefits of, and barriers to, im- plementing resilient micro-grid systems that are—