Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Yesterday, the Sierra Club signed onto a statement of support alongside the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Edison Electric Institute (electric utilities' trade group), and two consumer groups, NCLC and Illinois CUB, that establishes momentous common ground among environmental and consumer advocates and utilities.
Representatives from each organization presented and discussed the statement during a briefing on Tuesday, held by the Institute for Electric Innovation as part of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' winter policy summit.
The statement identifies transportation electrification as in the public interest and that utilities should pursue investments that will accelerate electric vehicle adoption and deliver benefits to all customers, including low income customers.
To date, utilities and others have invested or committed to approximately $2 billion in electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the U.S., including in red, blue, and purple states, but analysis shows that we need upwards of $6 billion in additional EV infrastructure investment by 2025 to be on track to meet climate goals. New consensus by utility, consumer, and environmental groups will signal a path forward toward meeting these goals.
In response to the joint statement, Sierra Club Attorney Joe Halso released the following statement:
“Utility investment in electrifying transportation delivers public health, economic, climate, and grid efficiency benefits for all electricity customers. This new agreement represents an exciting and pivotal moment for electric companies to lead in supporting electric vehicle infrastructure and proven policies that work to the benefit of all customers, including low income customers and communities.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.