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



CPUC TO CONSIDER POLICIES RELATED TO

ALTERNATIVE FUELED VEHICLES

SAN FRANCISCO, August 20, 2009 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in anticipation of the introduction of more alternative-fueled vehicles to the state's roadways during the next five years, today said it will examine the impacts electric and natural gas vehicles may have on our state's energy infrastructure, while at the same time recognizing the benefits of these vehicles to California's climate change goals.

"Many automakers will be introducing to California roadways electric charged vehicles in the next few years," said CPUC President Michael R. Peevey. "As a result of this market development, we will consider tariffs, infrastructure, and policies needed for investor-owned utilities to ready the electricity system in a consistent way for the projected statewide market growth of light-duty passenger plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles throughout California."

Commissioner Rachelle Chong added, "The transportation sector is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Electric and natural gas vehicles present a major opportunity to reduce these emissions."

The CPUC said its immediate goal is to facilitate the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and review existing electric vehicle tariffs. The CPUC will also explore issues related to natural gas vehicle infrastructure and tariffs.

The CPUC said it intends to develop consistent statewide policies and standards to guide and encourage development of electric vehicle metering, home electric vehicle charging infrastructure, commercial and public charging infrastructure, tariff schedules, and, if advisable, incentive programs.

These efforts will be undertaken consistent with CPUC and state policy goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Assembly Bill 32, reducing petroleum consumption, improving and optimizing electricity system asset utilization, expanding the use of renewable energy as a charging fuel for electric vehicles, and ensuring electric service reliability.

For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

###