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The California Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) voted recently to approve $768 million in expenditures for electric vehicle infrastructure programs proposed by the state’s three investor-owned utilities (“IOUs”). The programs are part of a directive of SB 350 that requires utilities to undertake transportation electrification activities.

Here is a brief overview of the approved programs:

  • Approved at $137 million, SDG&E’s program provides rebates to up to 60,000 residential customers that install Level 2 (“L2”) charging stations, which refer to electric vehicle supply equipment (“EVSE”) connected to a 240-volt outlet.
  • PG&E was approved for $22 million to install make-ready infrastructure to support 234 fast charging stations, as well as $236 million to support 6,500 medium- or heavy-duty EVs (like electric buses and trucks).
  • SCE similarly received approval for $343 million to install make-ready infrastructure to support 8,490 medium- or heavy-duty EVs.
  • In addition, the Commission approved $29.5 million for program evaluation.

Here is our analysis of what the Commission’s order means for the future of EVs and what the industry should be paying attention to:

In terms of charging technology, 150 kW fast charging and residential L2 are the minimum.

The Commission’s order emphasizes the need to use up-to-date technology to ensure some longevity for the investments. For example, in response to PG&E’s proposal for three levels of fast charging stations, the Commission directed the utility to forgo the lowest level and only install customer-side electric infrastructure necessary to support EVSE of 150kW or larger, approving a 25% contingency due to the increased cost of the faster chargers. Additionally, the Commission also noted that participants in rebate programs will be responsible for the full cost of proprietary made-to-order EVSE and make-ready infrastructure, since these are not scalable and may result in stranded assets should the manufacturer go out of business or change technology. In the case of SDG&E’s program, the Commission sided with the utility over concerns raised by stakeholders that Level 1 charging (which uses a standard household 120-volt outlet) is sufficient for residential purposes. SDG&E argued that the more advanced L2 will provide grid benefits by allowing for managed charging when paired with time-variable rates that reflect grid conditions. The Commission also noted the ability of these chargers to provide valuable data on patterns of charging.
Continue Reading California Approves $768 Million for EV Infrastructure

There has been a string of actions in the past few weeks addressing the federal government’s policy goal of streamlining the NEPA review process.  Although a number of actions have been taken, it presently boils down to this:  the federal government seems to genuinely be pursuing ways to make the NEPA process for infrastructure projects (including energy projects) faster, more predictable, and more efficient.  Whether and how this will be implemented in practice remains to be seen.  The Dept. of Interior and CEQ have been the first to take (aspirational) actions to implement this policy.  The following summarizes the recent actions.

President Trump issued Executive Order 13807, titled “Establishing Discipline and Accountability in Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects. Among other things, EO 13807 directs the following:

  • Development of a “performance accountability system” to track milestones and deadlines “major infrastructure projects,” score agencies’ ability to meet those deadlines, establish best practices for the permitting/review of infrastructure projects.  Projects would also be tracked through a “dashboard” that is updated monthly.
  •  Implement “One Federal Decision” for major infrastructure projects.  Under “One Federal Decision,” a project would have a single lead agency that will coordinate all necessary federal approvals and issue a single record of decision to address all those approvals.
  • The completion of all permit decisions should occur within 90 days of the ROD, and “not more than an average of approximately 2 years” after issuance of the notice of intent to prepare an EIS.
  • CEQ’s development of a list of initial actions that it will take to modernize the federal environmental review process, which can include issuing new regulations, guidance, and other directives.

For purposes of the EO, “major infrastructure project” essentially includes energy, water, and transportation projects for which multiple federal authorizations are required and for which an EIS is required.  The EO is fairly general and ambiguous and leaves room for exceptions to just about all of its directives.  The EO can be viewed here:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/08/15/presidential-executive-order-establishing-discipline-and-accountability.

CEQ responded by issuing a notice listing the actions it plans to take to implement EO 13807, as follows:…
Continue Reading Recent Federal Actions to Streamline the NEPA Process

On June 8, 2010, Utah Governor Gary Herbert launched a formal planning process for the Utah Energy Initiative.  Over the past several months the members of the Utah Energy Initiative Task Force and various subcommittees have conducted public hearings and a series of meetings to gather input for purposes of drafting a 10-year strategic energy plan.  The Energy Initiative Task Force issued a draft report on November 3, 2010.  Written comments on the draft report are due by November 10, 2010 and should be submitted to abuchholz@utah.gov.  A public hearing at which public comment will be accepted will be held on November 10, 2010 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Senate Building (State Capitol complex east building), Room 215, Salt Lake City, Utah.

The energy plan outlined in the report contains the following themes:

  1. Economic Development and Energy Jobs
  2. Energy Development and Environment
  3. Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Demand-Response
  4. Transportation and Air Quality
  5. Transmission, Infrastructure and Transportation
  6. Developing and Applying Technology and Science

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Continue Reading Utah Energy Initiative Task Force Issues Draft Plan