A key bill had language allowing public utilities to enter into the electric vehicle charging industry—overlooked by the oil industry and a game-changer for EVs as it tackles one of their most formidable challenges.
"When California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 350 on Oct. 7, it looked like a huge win for the oil industry," writes Mark Hertsgaard for Bloomberg BusinessWeek. "The original version of the bill included a mandate to cut the state’s petroleum consumption 50 percent by 2030.
The oil industry, having waged a vigorous campaign against the oil reduction mandate, celebrated in their victory of having the oil language removed. However, they overlooked another provision of the bill that was aimed at the same purpose.
The law requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to solicit proposals from electric companies for "multiyear programs and investments to accelerate widespread transportation electrification to reduce dependence on petroleum."
Credit: Clipper Creek: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
"The media was focused on the fight over cutting petroleum consumption by 50 percent, but this is going to do a lot of the same thing," says Laura Wisland of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Here's why the language was a game-changer. "Until 2014, utilities were blocked from owning or operating any charging stations, a step regulators took to foster competition in the emerging market," writes Hertsgaard.
California’s three large private utilities, which were also involved in crafting the bill’s language, were pleased, too. The electric companies see a chance to grab a piece of the $55 billion the state’s drivers spend each year filling up. “We really need to have a big push for charging,” Tony Earley, chief executive officer of PG&E, said in an Oct. 15 appearance at San Francisco’s Commonwealth Club. “The charging station ought to be part of our grid infrastructure.”
The head of the Air Resources Board, and one of electric vehicles biggest boosters, Mary Nichols, "chuckles when asked why the oil companies didn’t try to block the electrification language in SB 350," notes Hertsgaard.
"Perhaps they should be asking their lobbyists that question,” she says. "I really can’t take credit for this.”
The two main parts of SB 350 were requiring utilities to generate 50 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, known as the renewable portfolio standard, and doubling energy efficiency standards in buildings by the same year.
Assisting Mark Hertsgaard in writing the article were Mark Chediak, Lynn Doan, and James Nash.
FULL STORY: Big Electric Shocks Big Oil
California Adopts One of Nation's Highest Renewable Energy Mandates
Gov. Jerry Brown signed stripped-down legislation that sets a target for the state of generating 50 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and doubling energy efficiency standards in buildings by the same year.
Tenants in Rent Controlled Buildings in California to Gain EV Charging
An exemption to an existing law was removed Monday when Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that affords tenants in rent-controlled buildings the same right to request electric vehicle charging capability as renters in unregulated apartments.
Five Key Energy Bills the California Legislature May Decide this Week
Energy stakeholders in California are watching five important bills to see which go forward with three weeks remaining in the legislative season. One would require the state to generate all electricity from renewable sources by 2045.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
