CPUC Settlement Will Bring Car Share & Electric Chargers To Underserved Bay Area Locations

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— The California Public Utilities Commission has announced a settlement where NRG Energy will pay $20 million in cash and spend $100 million on building new electric vehicle infrastructure.

The settlement is based on market manipulations and alleged overcharging by the power provider from over a decade ago.

The settlement will bring around 200 electric vehicle charging stations, which would fulfill a 20 percent requirement, and other infrastructure to low-income communities throughout the state.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

Vien Truong from the Greenlining Institute, an advocacy organization, said $4 million of the settlement will go towards establishing car-sharing programs that cost little to no money to use in under-served areas.

"This gives people another option which is needed. Sometimes bus routes don't go to all the places you need to go to," Truong said.

She also mentioned what a hassle it can be to get your groceries on public transit or to pick up necessary large items from the store.

NRG is consulting with Greenlining to implement the conditions of the settlement.

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