MS HB1198

Establishes "The Microgrid and Grid Resiliency Act" authorizing county boards to petition the Secretary of State to designate up to three microgrid zones of at least 100 continuous acres of unincorporated state land per county, subject to public hearing requirements.

Requires the Public Service Commission to oversee all microgrids and establish approval thresholds based on improvements to electrical efficiency, resilience, reliability, security, demand response capability, and renewable energy integration.

Mandates microgrid operators in designated zones to provide up to 20% of generation for demand response programs and participate in secondary frequency response upon grid connection, with specified notice periods and compensation rates.

Exempts rates charged for electricity consumed entirely within microgrid zones for commercial or industrial use from Public Service Commission rate regulation, while prohibiting utilities from recovering microgrid-related costs from non-participating customers.

Allows microgrid developers to begin construction before grid interconnection approval is granted and permits developers to fund their own grid connections to avoid maintenance costs; requires Public Service Commission to establish community-level microgrid programs with same operational standards as designated zones.