Vermont PUC opens electric vehicle investigation

Vermont utility regulators have opened an investigation to identify and eliminate barriers to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in that state, following a legislative call in the state's general transportation bill for an examination of electric vehicle charging issues.

This spring, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed into law Act 158 (H.917) of the 2017-2018 Vermont legislative session. Section 25 of Act 158 requires the Vermont Public Utilities Commission to investigate and to prepare a written report concerning the charging of plug-in electric vehicles (EV).

On July 9, 2018, the Commission issued an order opening an investigation into promoting the ownership and use of electric vehicles in Vermont. In a press release accompanying the order, the Commission noted the harmful contributions of Vermont's transportation sector to greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change, and the prospect that electrifying transportation could help the state comply with its climate and greenhouse gas goals. The order notes that commonly cited barriers to widespread EV deployment may include vehicle range limits, limited availability of charging opportunities, cost, and vehicle performance -- and even barriers more unique to Vermont, such as cold winters and a rural, mountainous landscape.

The Commission says its investigation will include multiple cycles of written filings and workshops, addressing topics including barriers to EV adoption, as well as ways EV drivers can contribute financially to road and highway maintenance. The investigation will culminate in a report to be filed with the Vermont Legislature by July 1, 2019, presenting the Commission's analysis of barriers to electric vehicle adoption and recommendations on how to reduce or eliminate those barriers.

The Commission has docketed the case as No. 18-2660-INV, and has invited interested persons and entities to file a proposed scope, structure, and schedule for the case no later than July 30, 2018.

California grid prepares for solar eclipse

As a total solar eclipse approaches for North America, California electricity regulators have launched a voluntary demand response program designed to reduce power consumption during the eclipse while solar panel output is reduced.

The eclipse will occur on August 21, 2017, and is projected to reduce solar photovoltaic production in the California ISO region by 4,194 megawatts.  Taking gross load increases and estimated wind production into account, CAISO has been told to expect a net load increase of 6,008 MW during the eclipse.

According to the nation's electric reliability organization, NERC, the August 21 eclipse "is not expected to impact the reliability of the bulk power system."  But as NERC also noted, "As the number of photovoltaic generators on the power system increases, the risk created by solar eclipses to reliable system operations will increase as well."

Now, the California Public Utilities Commission has launched a "Do Your Thing for the Sun" or "Cal Eclipse" program.  On its website, the Commission asks, "While our utilities and grid operator have all the tools necessary to manage the grid during the eclipse, what if millions of Californians stepped in to allow our hard working sun to take a break, rather than relying on expensive and inefficient natural gas peaking power plants?"

The website asks consumers to "Take the Pledge", emphasizing the value of "joining a movement of Californians who are taking action during the eclipse to give the sun a break by saving energy and reducing GHG emissions." According to a two-page FAQ posted on the website, consumers can reduce electricity consumption by turning off electronics when leaving, and permanently decrease electricity consumption with energy efficiency measures.  Actions suggested on the pledge website include replacing light bulbs with LEDs, reducing lighting use and electronics charging, unplugging unused appliances, and increasing air conditioning temperature setpoints by 2-5 degrees.

According to the Commission's FAQ, "There is no reason to anticipate any eclipse-related electric service outages because of the reduced solar generation."

US designates alternative fuel corridors for transportation

U.S. federal highway administrators have announced the designation of 55 routes as "alternative fuel" corridors, capable of accommodating electric vehicles or those powered by hydrogen, propane, or natural gas.  The announcement sets the stage for further federal action supporting alternative transportation fuels.

An electric vehicle charging station, in an underground parking garage in Boston.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) oversees construction and maintenance of the nation's highways, bridges, and tunnels.  FHWA data suggests U.S. drivers travel over 3.15 trillion miles per year.  Overall, the U.S. transportation sector is a major consumer of energy, and among the largest contributors to domestic greenhouse gas emissions.  

Congress and the Obama administration are now pursuing strategies to reduce the transportation sector's greenhouse gas emissions.  Electric vehicles and alternative transportation fuels form one tool in these efforts.  Under a 2015 law -- Section 1413 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act -- the Secretary of Transportation is required to designate national electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors.  In July, the Department of Transportation asked states to nominate corridors along major highways, for EVs and other alternative fuels designated in the FAST Act.

In a November 3, 2016, announcement, the FHWA unveiled its designation of the nation's first alternative fuel corridors.  The network is nearly 85,000 miles long, and crosses 35 states.  Some corridors have been designed as "sign-ready," meaning alternative fueling stations are operational; these corridors are eligible to feature new signs showing where drivers can refuel.

The FHWA has posted maps of its alternative fuel corridors on its website.  The agency intends to add more miles in the future, as additional charging and fueling stations are built.

NH electric vehicle charging stations and utility status

As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, New Hampshire utility regulators have opened an investigation into the legal and regulatory issues implicated by the potential resale of electricity by electric vehicle charging stations.

On November 20, 2015, New Hampshire utility Liberty Utilities (Granite State Electric) Corp. d/b/a Liberty Utilities (Liberty) filed a tariff amendment to permit the resale of electricity for EVC stations, which the Public Utilities Commission docketed as Docket No. DE 15-489.  In a supporting technical statement, Liberty noted tariff language that currently prohibits the resale of electricity by most customers.  In Liberty's view, that prohibition forces owners and administrators of charging stations to charge in other manners, such as an hourly flat rate. 

On December 18, the Commission took two actions relating to the regulation of electric vehicle charging stations.  First, the Commission issued an Order of Notice announcing an investigation into the legal and regulatory issues implicated by the resale of electricity by electric vehicle charging stations.  The Commission made participation mandatory for the state's electric distribution utilities, and directed Commission staff to file a report by February 26, 2016, setting forth its conclusions and recommendations with respect to the sale of electricity to, and the resale of electricity by, EVC stations.  The Commission docketed this investigation as IR15-510.

Liberty pointed to "eighteen states that have adopted, through regulatory changes or legislation, exceptions for the resale of electricity for electric vehicle charging stations, including Maine and Massachusetts."  For example, a 2015 Maine law exempts an electric vehicle charging station provider from being considered a competitive electricity provider, and allows charging station providers to install an electrical submeter and to charge a submeter user only for kilowatt hours used,

Second, the Commission issued Order No. 25,852 in the Liberty docket on December 18, 2015, suspending the Liberty tariff amendment to permit Commission Staff (Staff) to complete the IR15-510 investigation.

Pursuant to the December 18 Order of Notice, legal memoranda are due from all electric distribution utilities and other interested persons on or before January 22, 2016.  Commission staff are scheduled to hold a stakeholder technical session on February 9, 2016.