Freedom Stations get the go-ahead

On Nov. 5, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a settlement that will result in more than $100 million invested in California’s electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.

The settlement resolves decade-old claims of market manipulation and overcharging against subsidiaries of Dynegy Inc., now owned by NRG Energy Inc., according to a California Public Utilities Commission press release.

In addition to paying $20 million in electricity-consumer refunds, NRG will be required to spend another $100-plus million to install 200 public fast-charging stations and 10,000 plug-in units statewide to expand the availability of electric vehicles.

Twenty percent of the fast-charging “Freedom Stations” will be installed in low-income areas.