Arizona Utility Regulators Amend EV Charging Program to Protect Ratepayers
In a recent open meeting on December 5, Arizona utility regulators, Commissioner Kevin Thompson and Chairman Jim O’Connor, have taken significant steps to amend the APS Transportation Electrification Implementation Plan and Budget (TEIP). These amendments aim to safeguard ratepayers from the financial burden of developing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
Commissioner Thompson led the charge with an amendment that rejected APS’s request to allocate up to $5M of ratepayer funds for its “Take Charge AZ” program. This program initially proposed the installation and maintenance of Level 2 (L2) EV charging plugs at various public locations, with the costs borne by ratepayers. Thompson emphasized the importance of preventing the majority of ratepayers, particularly those not owning EVs or using charging stations, from shouldering this financial load. He advocates for market and private enterprise solutions for EV charging infrastructure, rather than utility-funded models at the expense of ratepayers.
Chairman O’Connor complemented this approach with an amendment ensuring that any EV rebates offered by the utility are funded by shareholders, not by ratepayers or through their subsidization. O’Connor’s amendment also demands data sharing to help the utility manage load demands from customers charging their EVs. He referenced the decision on Trico's EV program as a model for future EV charging initiatives, focusing on eliminating cost shifts to ratepayers.
Furthermore, Commissioner Myers introduced an amendment to discontinue the “Take Charge AZ” program, allowing only the completion of currently underway charging station installations.
The culmination of these amendments represents a robust effort to protect ratepayers from additional costs associated with the expansion of EV infrastructure. The amended TEIP proposal, favoring a no-cost shift to ratepayers, was unanimously passed with a 5-0 vote, marking a significant decision in Arizona’s journey towards sustainable transportation solutions.