NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON ENERGY STANDARDS
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 established new Federal standards under Section 111(d) of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) which the Cooperative is required to consider. Our Cooperative must make a determination whether or not to implement the new standards based on evidence collected from the public after notice and hearing. If you would like to provide comments on the standards you may do so in writing by sending them to the following address:
PURPA HEARING COORDINATOR
CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE, INC.
20 COOPERATIVE DR, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29210
Attn: Sharon Kirkland
The new standards are described below. Although our Cooperative is required to consider whether to implement the standards, it is not required to do so. We would like to hear what you think. No later than November 15, 2023, a decision will be made by our Board on whether to implement some or all of each standard. If you would like a copy of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act you may find it online at www.govinfo.gov/app/details/PLAW-117publ58
A short description of each of the standards is as follows. For a complete description, you may refer to the link provided above.
1) DEMAND RESPONSE PRACTICES.
a) An electric utility shall promote the use of demand-response and demand flexibility practices by commercial, residential, and industrial customers to reduce electricity consumption during periods of unusually high demand.
b) Nonregulated electric utilities may establish rate mechanisms for the timely recovery of the costs of promoting demand-response and demand flexibility practices in accordance with subparagraph (a).
2) ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING PROGRAMS. Each state shall consider measures to promote greater electrification of the transportation sector, including the establishment of rates that:
a) Promote affordable and equitable electric vehicle charging stations for residential, commercial, and public electric vehicle charging infrastructure;
b) Improve the customer experience associated with electric vehicle charging, including by reducing charging times for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles;
c) Accelerate third-party investment in electric vehicle charging for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles; and
d) Appropriately recover the marginal costs of delivering electricity to electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The Cooperative will accept written comments from the public until July 31, 2023. A determination will be made by November 15, 2023, on standard adoption.
