Electric vehicle charging drives forward in California

After a long legal battle, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved an agreement between the California Public Utilities district and NRG Energy's eVgo subsidiary to install a network of at least 200 EV charging stations throughout the state.

The charging network will include fast chargers that allow drivers to add 50 miles of range in 15 minutes.

Over the next four years, NRG will invest approximately $100 million in the charging network; $5 million on collaboration with researchers and stakeholders for demonstration projects that will test new charging and related technologies; and $4 million on consultation with the Greenlining Institute, the California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative and other key stakeholders to support low income car-sharing, workforce training, and related opportunity programs.

In addition to these investments, NRG will contribute $20 million to the California Public Utility Commission for ratepayer relief.

The agreement resolves an outstanding legal battle arising from a long-term electricity contract entered into more than 10 years ago by a Dynegy subsidiary then a co-owner with NRG of a portfolio of power generating plants in California. When NRG acquired a 50 percent interest in Dynegy's assets in 2006, it also acquired responsibility for resolving the company's legal woes.

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