Pennsylvania PUC approves EV charging station filing

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) took a step toward facilitating the installation of more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the state.

The commission voted to unanimously approve a supplement tariff for Duquesne Light, a provider of charging stations. This was done in response to an EV policy statement adopted the PUC adopted last year. The 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 statement says third-party electric vehicle charging is a service, not a 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.

The commission said it is important for utilities to adapt their infrastructure and tariff structure to address the growing number of electric vehicles. The Duquesne Light approval comes just weeks after similar filings were submitted by FirstEnergy.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is charged with balancing the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates. It is also committed to protecting the public interest, educating consumers to make independent and informed utility choices, furthering economic development, and fostering new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound way.