Written by Forrest Wall, CAE, Incoming CEO
EV Parking Requirements Proposed
As efforts by automakers to ramp up EV production and promotion intensify, so does the conversation amongst Lansing lawmakers on EV incentives and mandates. One such mandate proposal is embodied in House Bill 5391, which was introduced by Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D-53rd District). The legislation calls for all new nonresidential buildings or buildings with combined residential and nonresidential use, with 25 or more parking spaces, to include EV charging stations. The requirement uses a formula of 1 charging station per 25 spaces, and once you go over 100 spaces it is 3% of the total number of spaces. The legislation also calls for existing nonresidential and residential/nonresidential combined buildings to add charging stations using the same formula when there is a parking lot resurfacing or alteration. Property owners would be allowed to charge for the use of the stations, and exemptions from the requirement may be applied for based on specific criteria. The legislation, which AAM opposes, is before the Committee on Energy for consideration.
Legislation Protecting Natural Gas Introduced
Sen. Dale Zorn (R-17th District) has introduced legislation in the Michigan Senate to support the continued availability of natural gas for new construction and existing buildings. Senate Bill 820 would prohibit local governments from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, resolution, or policy which prohibits the use of natural gas or the installation of natural gas infrastructure. This is the second legislative initiative to address potential bans on natural gas. House Bill 4575, introduced last year by Rep. Michelle Hoitenga (R-102nd District), would prevent any local unit of government from adopting, maintaining, or enforcing an ordinance prohibiting the use of gas appliances in new or existing residential buildings. These bills have come in response to local discussions, like those in Ann Arbor’s A2Zero Plan, which seek a mandate for new buildings to be constructed without gas lines as a part of programs seeking carbon neutrality.