January 23, 2020: On January 23, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved a four-year EV charging infrastructure program for the Michigan utility Indiana Michigan Power (I&M). This is the third EV charging program that the Commission has approved for Michigan utilities in the past year, totaling $24M of investment in critical charging infrastructure for current and would-be EV drivers in the nation's auto capital.
I&M's "IM Plugged In" program will primarily support the deployment of charging stations in the two locations where charging is most needed: at the home and workplace. These are the locations where cars are most often parked, able to be plugged in, and can support a cleaner grid by charging (or not charging) at the right times, like when the wind is blowing. At the high levels of EV adoption needed to meet our climate goals, these grid benefits are enormous. For example, a 2017 study commissioned by Sierra Club and its allies found that a widespread market for EV adoption in Michigan could deliver $31B in EV driver, grid, and air quality benefits, including billions in benefits for electricity customers (whether they own an EV or not) in the form of lower rates and reduced electricity bills. In addition, I&M will support charging stations for fleet vehicles, like transit buses and company fleets, as well as fast charging stations to support distance travel. Although I&M's program has a budget of just slightly less than $1M due to the utility's small size (it serves just 120,000 electricity customers in the southwest corner of Michigan's lower peninsula), the fast charging stations are a critical piece of the state's network, supporting cross- and inter-state travel.
I&M's EV program was improved by a settlement agreement that was joined by all parties in the case and resolved all issues. Just like in traditional courts, if an agreement can be reached between interested parties at the Commission, those parties can propose a deal that, if approved by regulators, avoids the need for a contentious case process. The terms of the final I&M EV program were primarily negotiated by Sierra Club attorney Joe Halso. Fellow Sierra Club attorneys Tony Mendoza and Kristin Henry handled coal-related issues in the case and Sierra Club was assisted by Chris Bzdok from the local Michigan firm of Olson, Bzdok and Howard.
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