California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
_________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov Docket #: R.09-08-009
CPUC TAKES ACTION TO PROMOTE ALTERNATIVE-FUELED VEHICLES
SAN FRANCISCO, July 14, 2011 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today furthered efforts to break down barriers for the widespread deployment and use of alternative-fueled vehicles in California.
In order to promote the use of electric vehicles, the CPUC today:
· Directed electric utilities to collaborate with automakers and other stakeholders to identify where electric vehicle charging will likely occur on their electric systems and plan accordingly. If a utility obtains timely notification that an electric vehicle will be charging in its service territory, the utility can address potential reliability problems, keep infrastructure costs down, and assist, as appropriate, with ensuring that electric vehicle owners have positive experiences with their vehicles.
· Affirmed that, with certain exceptions, the electric utilities' existing residential electric vehicle rates are sufficient for early electric vehicle market development, and, similarly, that existing commercial and industrial rates are sufficient in the early electric vehicle market for non-residential customers.
· Established a process to develop an electric vehicle metering protocol to accommodate increased electric vehicle metering options, such as submetering.
· Determined that until June 30, 2013, the costs of any distribution or service facility upgrades necessary to accommodate basic residential electric vehicle charging will be treated as shared cost.
· Required utilities to perform load research to inform future CPUC policy.
· Addressed utility ownership of electric vehicle service equipment.
"Our actions today will help build the electric vehicle market in California," said CPUC President Michael R. Peevey. "Alternative-fueled vehicles are an important part of achieving California's greenhouse gas emission reduction goals in the transportation sector."
Said Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon, "I am pleased to support this very thorough decision implementing electric vehicle policies and rate design, and believe that it will help to foster increased competition in the electric vehicle charging facility space. In addition, I look forward to the future policy consideration and promotion of natural gas vehicles and other alternative-fueled vehicles in our long term efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
Added Commissioner Mike Florio, "Along with their obvious environmental benefits, electric vehicles are also significantly cheaper to operate than gasoline-powered cars when charged overnight, and help to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which is good for the overall economy and our foreign policy as well."
Said Commissioner Catherine J. K. Sandoval, "Electric Vehicles can be a great alternative for consumers, help the environment, and take advantage of resources, including renewable resources, available via the electric grid. I am pleased that we are taking steps to overcome barriers to implementation of a vibrant electric vehicle market in cooperation with the Legislature, other government agencies, consumers, industries, utilities, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders."
"In building an alternative-fueled vehicle market, we must find the appropriate balance to ensure that we are protecting ratepayer interests while allowing for as many different options as possible for the market to explore," said Commissioner Mark J. Ferron. "Our decision today strikes that appropriate balance and lays the groundwork for us to look at all aspects of the existing operations, from meters to safety to rates, with a new lens to ensure that we have a sustainable and affordable market."
The proposal voted on is available at http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/word_pdf/AGENDA_DECISION/139101.pdf
For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
###
