Events

Electric Vehicle Grid Integration and Grid Impacts for State Regulators

NARUC Professional Development
Track: Electricity

May 19, 20, 21, 2026, 2:00 PM-4:00 PM ET each day (Live online)

As electric vehicle (EV) adoption accelerates across the United States, electric utilities face increasing pressure to prepare the grid to support this transition. Utility regulatory staff and state legislative teams play a critical role in making sure that the impacts of transportation electrification are both equitable and beneficial for utilities and ratepayers. This course provides foundational and advanced education on the important role utilities and regulatory commissions play in enabling transportation electrification and managing its grid impacts. Topics include managed charging program models, including a focus on distribution-optimization, rate design, customer engagement strategies, and the emerging potential of bidirectional charging. Guest speakers from commissions, utilities, and independent evaluators will share real-world insights and lessons from case studies

Fees:
NARUC State, Associate, and Federal Members: $250
Other State, Federal Government, and International Agencies / NASUCA Members / Academia: $450
All Others: $650

Register

Course Outline:
  • Day 1: EV Adoption, Grid Impacts, and Utility Planning Foundations
  • Day 2: Managed Charging Strategies and Technologies for Grid Optimization
  • Day 3: Regulatory Frameworks, Valuation, and the Future of VGI

Lead Instructor: 

Garrett Fitzgerald, PhD, Smart Electric Power Alliance. Since joining SEPA in 2021, Garrett has led efforts to drive beneficial electrification of transportation and buildings, working with utilities and stakeholders to enable a smooth transition to a highly electrified, low-carbon future. Now serving as Senior Director of Transportation, he oversees strategy execution, industry engagement, and the development of research and content to accelerate electrification. Garrett spent eight years at Rocky Mountain Institute, where he built and led the electricity program in India, accelerating electric vehicle adoption and clean energy integration.

Joined by:

  • Hon. Megan Gilman, Commissioner, Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Megan Gilman was first appointed in March 2020 for a four-year term and was reappointed to a second term in 2024. An Edwards resident, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and has extensive experience working on energy issues for ratepayers, as well as within the utility industry.
  • Hon. Staci Rubin, Commissioner Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Staci Rubin was appointed as a Commissioner to the Department of Public Utilities in April 2023. Prior to her appointment, Rubin was the Vice President, Environmental Justice at Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) where she partnered with residents of historically marginalized communities to address challenges regarding transportation, climate justice, zero waste, and lead poisoning prevention in the six New England states. 
  • Myles Collins, Researcher, Energy Markets and Planning Department, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Myles conducts research on resilience planning and valuation and benefit-cost analysis for innovative utility programs. He has 20 years of experience in energy policy, strategy, and analytics, including 15 years in the utility industry.