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Fuel retailers back SB106 to let utilities recover EV fast-charger costs from ratepayers
Summary
Robert Barrotta of Americans for Affordable Clean Energy testified in support of SB106, saying it would level the playing field by allowing utilities to recover costs for EV fast chargers rather than leaving private investors at a disadvantage; senators pressed him on affiliate separation and charger charge times.
Robert Barrotta, speaking for Americans for Affordable Clean Energy (ACE), told the Senate Public Utilities Committee that Senate Bill 106 would help develop Ohio’s EV fast-charging market by addressing a key market barrier: utilities' ability to pass the cost of installing and operating EV fast chargers to all ratepayers and avoid typical business risk. "It basically creates a level playing field and says that if you're going to compete in this market, everyone does it under the same rules," Barrotta said.
Barrotta described ACE as a coalition of fuel retailers and convenience stores and named familiar brands to illustrate the membership: "They are, the truck stops, like, travel centers American loves and convenience stores like Sheetz, Wawa, Circle k, Racetrack, and Kwik Trip, among others." He said fuel retailers want to continue providing refueling services as customer preferences evolve toward electricity.
Barrotta argued that Ohio needs a reliable, convenient fast-charging market to support commerce on the state's transportation corridors and that regulatory treatment that shields utilities from market risk discourages private investment. He said SB106, sponsored by Senator Reineke, addresses that dynamic by setting terms for utility participation and cost recovery that will encourage private investment and competition.
In questioning, Senator Romichuk asked whether utilities could participate through affiliates and whether the bill ensures sufficient separation to prevent subsidies flowing between a regulated utility and an affiliated charging business. Barrotta said ACE is not fully satisfied yet but that participation through a separate subsidiary with separate books and no use of ratepayer funds would be acceptable: "As long as it has to be a separate subsidiary with separate books... they're gonna be under the same terms and conditions that we have to compete."
Chair Wilkin asked about typical charge times for EV fast chargers; Barrotta said it varies by charger level, ranging from about 10 minutes on faster stations to roughly a half hour on many fast chargers. Senator Chavez asked whether utilities might "slow walk" private companies seeking connections; Barrotta said that is unlikely because utilities have a commercial incentive to enable charging, and regulators such as PUCO would be the recourse if a utility treated a subsidiary differently.
Chair Wilkin noted that written testimony supporting SB106 was available on committee iPads and adjourned the hearing.
