The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has led the nation in pioneering programs to support investment in electric vehicle (EV) charging.The next step, according to a new Administrative Law Judge ruling issued this week in the CPUC’s Transportation Electrification (TE) rulemaking proceeding, will be to develop a Transportation Electrification Framework (TEF) to guide ratepayer funded TE investments going forward.
The TEF Staff Proposal anticipates an initial 2-3 year process that will produce an approved TE Framework by the end of 2020, submission of investor-owned utility (IOU) TE Plans (TEPs) in 2021, and approval of the TEPs in 2022. After that, the TEF will be updated every 5 years and the TEPs every 4 years, to reflect evolving policy priorities, TE infrastructure needs, and lessons learned. During the “Pre-TEP” period (2020-22), the IOUs will be allowed to propose EV infrastructure programs focused on four near-term TE barriers and/or regulatory priorities:
The 2020 TEF development process will provide interested parties an opportunity to participate by filing comments and participate in workshops on identified issues. The first stage will focus on TEP development, IOU roles, and near-term investment priorities. Opening comments on these topics are due February 25 and a workshop is scheduled March 12.
In subsequent stages the TEF development process will focus on:
A proposed decision is expected in October 2020, and a final decision by the end of the year.
Contact: Lynn Haug
