[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 75 (Thursday, May 5, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED:
  S. 4148. A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to complete and 
publish a study and develop a plan relating to the ability of the 
electric system to meet the electricity demand of new electric vehicle 
charging infrastructure, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Electric Vehicle 
Grid, Improvement, and Development Act, which would take important 
steps to prepare our electric grid for the deployment of the electric 
vehicle charging infrastructure that is essential to meeting our 
climate goals.
  Our Nation's dependence on fossil fuels has created serious 
challenges for our security, economy, and environment. The 
electrification of our transportation system will play a crucial role 
in confronting those challenges. Indeed, electric vehicles will help 
reduce our dependence on oil, lower carbon emissions and save Americans 
money at the pump.
  The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act took great 
strides in advancing the deployment of electric vehicles. The bill 
provided $15 billion for electric vehicles, including $7.5 billion to 
create a national network of electric vehicle charging stations. Of 
these funds, Rhode Island should receive $23 million for the deployment 
of new charging stations across the State.
  Investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure must be 
paired with grid readiness measures to ensure we can decarbonize as 
quickly as possible. To that end, the EV GRID Act would direct the 
Department of Energy to complete a study on the anticipated demand of 
electric vehicle charging infrastructure on our electric grid. It would 
also direct the Department, once the study is completed, to submit a 
plan with recommendations for policymakers to help the electric system 
meet demand.
  This bill is critical to ensuring a smooth transition toward a 
cleaner, decarbonized transportation sector. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in supporting this commonsense legislation.
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