Transportation electrification: electric vehicle charging infrastructure: state parks and beaches.

Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Existing law requires the PUC, in consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) , the State Air Resources Board (state board) , electrical corporations, and the motor vehicle industry, to evaluate policies to develop infrastructure sufficient to overcome any barriers to the widespread deployment and use of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles and, by July 1, 2011, to adopt rules that address specified issues. Existing law requires the PUC, in cooperation with the Energy Commission, the state board, air quality management districts and air pollution control districts, electrical and gas corporations, and the motor vehicle industry, to evaluate and implement policies to promote the development of equipment and infrastructure needed to facilitate the use of electric power and natural gas to fuel low-emission vehicles. Existing law, enacted as part of the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015, requires the PUC, in consultation with the Energy Commission and state board, to direct electrical corporations to file applications for programs and investments to accelerate widespread transportation electrification to reduce dependence on petroleum, meet air quality standards, achieve the goals set forth in the Charge Ahead California Initiative, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Existing law vests with the Department of Parks and Recreation control over the state park system, and requires the department to take various actions to develop, operate, and maintain units of the state park system. This bill would authorize an electrical corporation, in consultation with the department, PUC, Energy Commission, and state board, to file with the PUC, by July 30, 2018, a pilot program proposal for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at state parks and beaches within its service territory. The bill would require the PUC to review, modify if appropriate, and decide whether to approve a pilot program proposal filed by an electrical corporation by December 31, 2018. The bill would require the department to determine which state parks or beaches are suitable for charging stations. The bill would require that the approved pilot program include a reasonable mechanism for cost recovery by the electrical corporation if the PUC makes specified findings. The bill would require an electrical corporation to prioritize in its proposal those state parks and beaches that serve residents of disadvantaged communities, as defined. The bill would require that state parks and beaches receiving charging stations pursuant to the approved pilot program participate in a time-variant rate approved by the PUC. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the PUC is a crime. Because the provisions of this bill are within the act and require action by the PUC to implement its requirements, a violation of which would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.