A House bill that would put the financial responsibility for required electric vehicle charging infrastructure on the governing body that mandated it likely wouldn't affect Cole County, officials said.
The bill follows a pair of ordinances approved by the city and county of St. Louis last year requiring commercial entities undergoing construction or extensive renovations within their jurisdictions to include parking spots ready for EV-charging equipment. The city's ordinance also extended to residential construction.
The sponsors of those ordinances said the change would allow the region to stay ahead of the growing prevalence of EVs. Rep. Jim Murphy, R-St. Louis County, argued the requirement could have a heavy financial impact on small businesses that would be forced to handle the costs of the required accommodations.
Murphy proposed HB 1584, which would require counties to foot the bill of those requirements rather than the businesses undergoing construction.
EV chargers are slowly becoming more available in smaller communities, including Jefferson City. The city has six charging locations, including Culver's, Nissan of Jefferson City and the North Jefferson Recreation Area.
Despite an increased emphasis on EVs, Cole County Western District Commissioner Harry Otto said requirements like St. Louis' were unlikely to take effect in his county -- nor would it be sustainable under the bill if it were to pass, he said.
"I don't see the county of Cole or its commissioners ever adopting an ordinance, code or policy that would require this installation," Otto said. "There would be a high cost to even have this equipment installed, but then there are questions regarding who would have to pay for any maintenance or make sure it's accessible on a snowy day or is whoever runs the site liable to maintain it?"
Otto said the county had not run the numbers to determine the exact cost of such a proposal.
He also said the EV-charging issue should lie with each individual business rather than the county, as should the cost associated with their decisions.
"This equipment could cost $20,000-$80,000 apiece, and St. Louis' version doesn't include any exemptions for small businesses where this isn't needed," Murphy said. "I think it makes more sense to put in this infrastructure if there will actually be an economic benefit to the community, and this bill would require subdivisions to really weigh whether or not it's worth the cost to taxpayers."
Murphy also said the language passed in St. Louis County was broad enough to cover smaller projects, like resurfacing a parking lot, and would have a major impact on local businesses.
The bill passed through the House Transportation Committee last week by a vote of 9-5.
Irl Scissors, executive director of Electrify Missouri, which advocates for EV-friendly policies, said the bill was an attempt to curb local governments' ability to keep pace with the future of business and transportation.
"The costs associated with this bill would be wholly on the municipality," Scissors said. "This could make the local governments think twice about preparing for the next decade or so as EVs expand their presence for business fleets and everyone else, and they could fall behind when this takes over the road."
Ameren Missouri collaborated with Courtyard by Marriott to install a charging station in the new hotel's parking garage in late 2020. The utility provider also offers incentives for businesses to provide EV-charging infrastructure at workplaces, public areas and apartment buildings. Incentives are capped at 50 percent of a project cost or $500,000.
Representatives for Ameren came out to testify on the bill last month, explaining its incentive program to lawmakers while refraining from taking one side or the other.
"We're supportive of efforts in the communities we serve to prepare for electric vehicles, including thoughtful EV ordinances at the local level," Ameren Missouri Vice President of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Warren Wood said in a statement to the News Tribune.
"At the state level, we will continue to monitor HB 1584 as it moves through the legislative process," he continued.
Utilities and municipalities across Missouri are focusing more and more on EV infrastructure. The federal government also has its eyes on the emerging industry, with around $99 million from the bipartisan infrastructure package enacted last year expected to go toward Missouri's network.