NEWS RELEASE
U.S. SENATOR JOHN HICKENLOOPER
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Washington, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper’s bill to lower costs for electric vehicle (EV) drivers passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Responsibly and Equitably Change How Auto-charging Rates Get Evaluated (RECHARGE) Act makes it more affordable to drive an electric vehicle by having states review utility rates for EV charging. The bill passed as part of the Energy Infrastructure Act, legislation that is a component of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure framework negotiated by 22 Democrats and Republicans, including Hickenlooper.
In addition to the Hickenlooper bill, the Energy Infrastructure Act includes $94 billion in funding for energy grid modernization, transmission, green technologies, water and other infrastructure investments.
“Electric vehicles are essential to beat climate change,” said Hickenlooper, a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “Our bill makes it easier—and cheaper!—to choose electric and drive clean.”
Last week Hickenlooper visited Loveland, Colorado to tour Lightning eMotors, a commercial electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer.
In many states, EV charging stations are currently treated like factories that put a constant strain on the power grid, which can lead to artificially high prices for EV owners. The RECHARGE Act would facilitate voluntary solutions at the state level by asking states to consider rate designs that:
- Promote affordable and equitable EV charging
- Improve customer experience including through faster EV charging for all vehicles
- Accelerate investment in EV charging stations
- Appropriately recover marginal costs
The Hickenlooper bill is supported by Electrify America, the Environmental Defense Fund, U.S. PIRG, Colorado PIRG, Environment America, League of Conservation Voters and Environment Colorado. Text is available HERE.
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