California Electric Vehicle Charging Settlement

CPUC SETTLEMENT APPROVED BY FERC PAVES WAY
FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE
FOR CALIFORNIA’S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

 

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved a settlement agreement that will bring more than $100 million in electric vehicle charging infrastructure to California, including at least 200 public fast-charging stations and the infrastructure for 10,000 plug-in units at 1,000 diverse locations across the state.

The settlement, originally announced on March 23, 2012, by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., resolves 10-year-old claims against subsidiaries of Dynegy Inc., including its power marketer and three power plant subsidiaries, then co-owned with NRG Energy Inc. (now wholly owned by NRG), for costs of long-term power contracts signed in March 2001. Dynegy previously paid $280 million in settlement of claims arising out of Dynegy’s spot market sales during the energy crisis period itself.

NRG will pay to install a minimum of 200 fast charging “Freedom Stations” - 110 in the Los Angeles Basin; 55 in the San Francisco Bay Area; 15 in the San Joaquin Valley; and 20 in San Diego County - that will be available for use by anyone with an electric vehicle for a minimum five year period. NRG will install 20 percent of these stations in low income areas. The first Freedom Stations will be available in early 2013.

NRG will also install infrastructure for plug-in units, or “make-readies”, at multi-family housing, workplaces, and public interest sites, which will over time support the installation of Level 1 and Level 2 chargers from all charging companies. Further, to meet the CPUC’s goal of ensuring that the electric vehicle charging infrastructure is available to Californians of all income levels, NRG will ensure that mixed-income housing locations are identified, evaluated, and pursued for the make-readies.

Additionally, NRG will pay $20 million in a cash refund to electricity consumers. (CPUC)

FERC’s Order

 

For more information on the CPUC.