Missouri regulators open docket to tackle EV infrastructure

Dive Brief:

Missouri regulators have opened a proceeding to consider how the state should facilitate development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, directing utilities and other participants to evaluate a trio of models.
The Public Service Commission's (PSC) move to open the working case follows an appeals court decision last summer that gave utilities in the state a path to include charging infrastructure in their rate bases.
The court's decision last year was particularly beneficial for Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), which installed 1,000 EV charging stations but had been unable to recover the investment.

Dive Insight:

Both KCP&L and Ameren have been trying to develop charging infrastructure in Missouri, but the PSC had previously prevented them, arguing that the stations provided a charging service rather than the sale of electricity — and were therefore outside the commission's jurisdiction.

But in August 2018 a Missouri appeals court sided with KCP&L, concluding that state regulators do have jurisdiction over the stations. Now, regulators say they do not want to any more time to go to waste.

"In light of the Appeals Court’s decision ... and the other recent EV proposals that have been presented, the commission intends that the workshop process be expedited so that all interested stakeholders can work toward finding the best solutions for developing Missouri’s EV charging network as quickly as practicable," the PSC said in its order.

Regulators said workshop participants can consider any range of infrastructure ownership models, but specified three must be examined: utility-owned and operated stations; a "make ready" tariff proposal; and an alternate incentive program that would be be evaluated and defined in future rate proceedings.

For the make-ready proposal, regulators specified it must include an option to "waive line extension charges from a customer seeking a line extension for separately metered EV charging that meets specific public policy considerations."

PSC staff scheduled an initial workshop for March 21, with an agenda to be finalized later. A report on the workshop's findings will be due to the commission 30 days later.