Press Release

PUC Approves Filings by FirstEnergy Utilities to Remove Uncertainty & Potential Barriers for Third-Party Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Published on 2/28/2019

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved filings by the four FirstEnergy electric distribution companies serving Pennsylvania, which will help remove uncertainty and potential barriers to the deployment of third-party electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their service territories.

The Commission voted 5-0 today to approve supplements to tariffs which were filed by Metropolitan Edison Company (MetEd), Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec), Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power) and West Penn Power Company (West Penn Power), in response to an EV policy statement adopted last year by the PUC.

The Commission’s November 2018 policy statement was designed to help promote increased investment in EV charging infrastructure in the state by reducing regulatory uncertainty and providing greater consistency among electric distribution companies (EDCs).  The policy statement clarifies that third-party electric vehicle charging is providing a service, and not considered resale of electricity under the Public Utility Code. EDCs were directed to amend their tariffs to address third-party EV charging stations consistent with the new policy.

As the Commissioners noted in November, technological advancements, including a growing number of electric vehicles, are transforming the electric consumption of consumers and impacting the grid as a whole – and it is important for utilities to adapt their infrastructure and tariff structure to address these changes.

The FirstEnergy tariff supplements approved today by the Commission are the first to be considered under the PUC’s policy statement regarding EV charging infrastructure.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket Nos.:
R-2019-3007069
R-2019-3007070
R-2019-3007071
R-2019-3001072

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov