The District Moves Forward with EV Adoption
D.C. Council gives DCPSC Jurisdiction to Review Pepco Electric Vehicle (EV) Application
The District is taking steps to prioritize adoption of electric vehicles as a key strategy to reduce fossil fuel dependence, energy costs, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. With nearly 700,000 residents, 400,000 daily commuters, and 20.8 million annual visitors, transportation is a critical factor in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
To move this initiative along, the DCPSC approved in part Pepco’s Application for a Transportation Electrification (TE) Program (Formal Case No. 1130, Order No. 19898). The DCPSC allowed Pepco to deploy infrastructure to support 55 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and additional infrastructure to support the charging of electric taxis, rideshare vehicles, and buses. This action fosters the expansion of a competitive EV charging market in the District, and helps to achieve the District’s clean energy plan and climate change commitments.
Additionally, the Order includes approval for the rollout of a Residential Time-of-Use rate for home EV charging, which will encourage the charging of EVs at off-peak hours — a critical element of any successful TE initiative.
The DCPSC will monitor these programs, as they are implemented, and study the effects of TE on the electric grid as the EV market expands.
Background:
The D.C. Council passed the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018 on December 18, giving the DCPSC authority to consider an application to promote transportation electrification through utility infrastructure ownership and other incentives. This legislation gives the DCPSC authority to approve an application for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure if the proposal is:
1. In the public interest;
2. Consistent with the Mayor’s commitment to climate change and;
3. Consistent with D.C. law requirements that public utility rates be just and reasonable.
In 2017, Pepco filed a proposal with the DCPSC seeking a limited, voluntary pilot program for EV charging in the District called the Transportation Electrification Program, or TE Program (Formal Case No. 1130). Pepco estimated at the time that there were 567 registered plug-in electric vehicles (PIV) in the District. Pepco’s proposal for a TE Program proposal provides a variety of program offerings designed to serve a range of customer types and target different market segments. To ensure that all District residents and businesses benefit from transportation electrification, the Pepco proposal would site 20% of the Fast Chargers in Wards 5, 7, and 8. The effort will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
Pepco estimates the total costs of its TE program to be $15.2 million dollars.
Under the direction and guidance of the DCPSC, the public and interested parties filed comments with the DCPSC regarding the merits of the application. Additionally, Pepco held a series of three workshops from April through June 2018 to receive further public input regarding its proposal and to discuss policy implications.