The California Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 28 approved Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s proposal to create a rate class for commercial electric vehicle charging with two new rate schedules for small and large customers. The new rates feature a monthly subscription charge and a time-of-use volumetric rate intended to encourage charging during times of…
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on Oct. 16 released a draft plan, identifying policies, programs, and strategies that the state should implement to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and expand charging infrastructure. The roadmap, which aims to develop a self-sustaining EV market, builds on the state’s prior work with vehicle rebates…
The Missouri Public Service Commission approved an agreement allowing Ameren Missouri to implement three sub-programs under its $11 million Charge Ahead initiative to encourage adoption of electric vehicles, according to an Oct. 17 press release. The programs namely, public charging, workplace charging, and multi-family charging, are scheduled to begin next year. Ameren Missouri expects to…
Dominion Energy is seeking state approval in Virginia to deploy the nation’s largest electric school bus program, starting with 50 buses in 2020, then adding 200 per year for the next 5 years, according to an October 10 press release from PJM Interconnection LLC, the grid operator. Dominion expects to spend $13.5 million replacing the first 50…
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued a final order on Oct. 7 approving National Grid’s electric rate request, with a $41.8 million or 32 percent cut to the company’s original application for a $132.2 million hike. Regulators also approved performance-based ratemaking proposals, storm cost recovery and a limited part of the company’s aggressive electric vehicle…
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 7 approved Xcel Energy Inc.’s subscription pilot for electric vehicle charging services for residential ratepayers. The program, which intends to make the energy-related costs of operating electric cars more predictable, allows customers to charge the vehicle for a flat monthly fee for a two-year period, instead of paying for…
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities took the first step towards developing an incentive program to support the purchase and use of electric vehicles and associated infrastructure in the state, according to a Sept. 27 news release. The state has a goal of achieving 330,000 EVs on the road by 2025, which will cut…
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Sept. 19 announced a final rule establishing nationwide uniform fuel economy and emission standards for automobiles and light duty trucks. As part of the rule, the agency said it is withdrawing a 2013 waiver that allowed California to pursue its own tailpipe pollution standard and zero-emission vehicle mandate. The…
Carbon reduction is becoming ingrained in the planning strategies of utilities across the Northwest in response to state-level decarbonization policies and market changes. As coal plants are no longer cost-competitive, utilities are taking advantage of new technologies and favorable economics of natural gas and renewables.
California’s energy landscape is evolving rapidly driven by its ambitious clean energy and carbon reduction goals. Recent actions range from enhancing renewable integration to reforming carbon market rules, strengthening auto-emission standards, and revising energy efficiency policies.
The California Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 15 approved a settlement allowing San Diego Gas & Electric Company to build charging infrastructure for a minimum of 3,000 medium and heavy electric vehicles. The agency authorized cost recovery of $107.4 million for the five-year program, as well as $1.7 million for a vehicle-to-grid pilot that will…
The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission voted to approve a zero-emission vehicle mandate, which requires more than 5 percent of vehicle sales in the state to be electric vehicles by 2023, according to an Aug. 16 press release. The requirement rises to more than 6 percent of sales by 2025. Automakers will get credits for each…
