South Carolina § 58-27-265 - Identification of regulatory challenges and opportunities associated with electrification of transportation sector.

§ 58-27-265. Identification of regulatory challenges and opportunities associated with electrification of transportation sector.

(A) No earlier than April 1, 2023, the Public Service Commission shall open a docket for the purpose of identifying the regulatory challenges and opportunities associated with the electrification of the transportation sector.

At a minimum, the commission shall study the following issues:

(1) grid integration and resource planning to facilitate electrified transportation;

(2) the interaction between transportation electrification and the electric power grid;

(3) regulatory policies to support efficient and cost-effective transition to electric transportation;

(4) the need for data management and coordination among a number of energy system participants;

(5) grid investments that support electric vehicle deployments as a part of planned modernization efforts to enable an efficient and cost-effective transition to electric transportation;

(6) increased electric vehicle adoption and the development of their charging infrastructure and how those advancements align with grid modernization efforts;

(7) whether rate designs and other load management strategies are appropriate to mitigate potential negative grid impacts and maximize potential grid benefits of transportation electrification;

(8) other critical issues related to transportation electrification, such as service reliability, privacy, affordability, and security; and

(9) and any other issues the commission determines relevant.

(B) The commission shall issue a report to the Joint Committee on the Electrification of Transportation. Upon submitting the report, the commission shall open a docket at least every three years thereafter to study the regulatory issues related to the electrification of the transportation sector and report back to the Joint Committee on the Electrification of Transportation and the General Assembly.

(C) To the extent necessary to carry out commission responsibilities, the commission is authorized to employ third-party consultants and experts, by contract or otherwise, as the commission may consider necessary to assist the commission in the proper discharge of its duties and responsibilities as provided by this section. The expenses for the employment of any third-party consultant or expert as authorized by this subsection must be paid from the assessments collected pursuant to Section 58-3-100. The commission shall provide an accounting of compensation and expenses incurred for third-party consultants and experts in a report provided annually to the review committee. The commission is exempt from the State Procurement Code in the selection and hiring of third-party consultants and experts as authorized by this subsection.

HISTORY: 2021 Act No. 46 (S.304), SECTION 2, eff May 17, 2021.