Requires electric corporations build make-ready infrastructure

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Leroy Comrie says this is needed

New York has set rigorous goals - such as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 (CLCPA), Advanced Clean Trucks and Advanced Clean Cars II rules, and the Zero Emissions Vehicles sales targets - to predominantly electrify its transportation sector by 2050, with significant target deadlines rapidly approaching. Significant expansions of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including both utility-side grid facilities and customer-side charging equipment, will be required to meet these targets. Burdensome utility make-ready policies impede this infrastructure deployment. "Make-ready" refers to (i) utility-side equipment that connects the customer to the grid, and (ii) customer-side equipment that connects the utility meter to the charging stations themselves. Make- ready can comprise 30% or more of a fleet's upfront charging costs. This poses a significant financial hurdle, particularly for public-serving fleets (such as transit agencies) and fleets serving disadvantaged communities. Moreover, New York's electric utilities each have different tariff rules and policies governing the allocation of make-ready costs, which adds complexity for fleets operating in multiple utility service territories. This legislation addresses this obstacle by establishing a uniform cost allocation for make-ready infrastructure. It requires electric utilities to cover 100% of prudent utility-side make-ready costs, as well as a portion of prudent customer-side make-ready costs, and at least 50% for other single- or multi-family, and fleet locations. Utilities would recover these costs through rates instead of directly from the charging customer. In addition to supporting charging customers and New York's electrifica- tion goals, this policy is also projected to benefit utility ratepayers by helping new electric loads come online more quickly, which expedites corresponding ratemaking benefits. A recent study examining two New York utilities showed that the increase in utility revenue from serving new EVs will tend to exceed costs of make-ready infrastructure, which puts downward pressure on utility rates for customers.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.