BERLIN, Conn — Eversource has plans to suspend processing new applications for its electric vehicle charging rebate programs for residents, businesses, and DC Fast chargers.
The utility company announced Thursday that it will soon be pausing processing applications as it asks the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) for a "modification and clarification on cost recovery" to support its program.
Eversource cited an "unpredictable state regulatory environment" with a concern for how deferred program costs continue to build up.
Eversource's motion to PURA, filed Tuesday, asks for a rate treatment modification from PURA "in order to establish a secure, timely and predictable framework for the reimbursement of costs for both the LD-EV and MHD-EV programs through the alignment of program spending with a rate treatment that provides timely and adequate recovery."
Eversource paid nearly $40 million of program incentives to customers so far and has committed an additional $22 million to customers looking to take part in the LD-EV program, the company said in its motion.
"These amounts are accounted for as deferred assets, and represent dollars spent today by Eversource on the promise of a future review by PURA and ultimately, reimbursement by its customers. This promise of future recovery – for increasing amounts – is called into question by PURA’s regulatory decisions and arguments before the courts," the motion states.
PURA spokesperson Joe Cooper provided a statement to FOX61 Thursday, saying Eversource is required to file a distribution rate amendment application, and that the utility company has not received cost recovery because they did not request it through the amendment application. Cooper said Eversource is using the motion it filed "to modify this long-standing EV cost recovery mechanism to secure cost recovery through an alternative method."
"Since the motion is now pending before the Authority, we cannot comment on the substance of the issues; however, it is notable that Eversource’s stated decision to suspend compliance under the EV Charing Program as of May 22 unless the Authority meets its demands constitutes a potential violation of the company’s obligations," Cooper added.
The EV Charging Program's cost recovery component has been in effect since 2021, according to PURA.
Connecticut's House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora and Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding both said the state's energy policies are "out of step" and charged the governor to make two "overdue" appointments to PURA.
"Failure to act will only add to the uncertainty over the cost, scope and timeline of much-needed improvements to our state's fragile grid and, ultimately, cause more frustration among ratepayers who are fed up with escalating costs," Candelora and Harding said in a joint statement.
Eversource said it plans to pause processing new applications for residential and commercial programs at 11:59 p.m. on May 22, 2024, and that DC Fast applications will not be awarded for the rest of the year if a clear plan from PURA is not provided.
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