Transportation electrification.
The bill adds Section 740.16 to the Public Utilities Code, requiring a systematic approach to the installation of charging infrastructure. It stipulates that applications for the installation of charging stations must prioritize disadvantaged communities, ensuring equitable access to electric vehicle support. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is tasked with reviewing applications, which fuels a collaborative regulatory approach between utilities and local agencies in planning and developing needed infrastructure. This proactive measure is expected to minimize costs while maximizing benefits related to the deployment of electric vehicle charging systems.
Assembly Bill No. 983, introduced by Assembly Member Boerner Horvath, addresses the expansion of transportation electrification by mandating electrical corporations to collaborate with local regional planning agencies. The objective is to identify suitable locations for new electric vehicle charging stations along transit corridors. This initiative forms part of an extensive effort to reduce reliance on petroleum and decrease greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the goals laid out under California's Charge Ahead Initiative and other emissions reduction targets set for 2030 and 2050.
Notably, the provisions of AB 983 could generate debate around state versus local control in infrastructure planning. While supporters advocate for centralized utility planning to streamline efforts and bolster emissions reduction goals, some critics may argue that local agencies should retain more regulatory power to address specific community needs regarding transportation electrification. Additionally, concerns about the practicality of imposing a state-mandated local program and the implications of creating new infractions in this context could present points of contention among legislators.