Connecticut Governor Seeks to Ensure State Ready for Plug-in Vehicles
30 July 2008
Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell asked the Chairman of the Department of Public Utility Control to work closely with automakers and the state’s electric utilities to make sure Connecticut encourages and can accommodate grid-charged electric vehicles.
EVs have enormous promise for helping us reduce our dependence on gasoline and cut the emissions of harmful pollutants. However, there is more to encouraging the use of EVs than simply plugging them in—we need to make sure the state’s electric infrastructure is ready for the additional demand, and we want to avoid problems that could crop up if, say, a high number of EVs are charging on a 98-degree summer day when power is at a premium for air conditioners and other devices. That is why it is important for the DPUC and our utilities to get ahead of the curve now.
—Governor Rell
In her letter to DPUC Chairman Donald Downes, Governor Rell directed the agency to ensure Connecticut utilities are actively involved in the discussions.
When the Utility introduces "smart billing" that has increased price levels for peak usage times, then the customers will begin to avoid unnecessary power usage at peak hours.
Problem solved. The new battery electric cars will mostly be recharged at night, and other power intensive activities (like electric clothes dryers) will also be shifted to non-peak hours.
One thing, the new generation of "smart meter" needs to be capable of buying power back from the customers to encourage home co-generation and other home power generating systems (like solar panels). Home owner systems selling excess power at "peak times" will also be helping to reduce the needed utility owned peak generating requirements.
Posted by: John Taylor | 30 July 2008 at 08:28 AM
Connecticut is a neat state environmentally. Though the state generates 1100 lbs/person-year of solid waste, between recycling and energy generation (5% of the state's power needs), only 100 lbs of that goes into landfills. (Incineration is considered zero-carbon despite the CO2 because it reduces methane emissions.)
[q->t to email]
Posted by: Adam | 30 July 2008 at 08:38 AM
Once again, the states are out in front of the Feds.
Posted by: Reality Czech | 30 July 2008 at 09:18 AM
and that is the way it should be!.. each state is a laboratory.
Posted by: Herm | 30 July 2008 at 10:27 AM
"Once again, the states are out in front of the Feds" Reality Czech
Actually - that's the way I want it.
Posted by: | 30 July 2008 at 07:36 PM