Bill Overview
Title: BIDIRECTIONAL Act
Description: This bill establishes requirements to encourage the deployment of vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-everything technologies and applications that enable bidirectional charging, such as technologies that enable electric vehicles to use their batteries to power the energy grid or homes when they are not being driven. Specifically, the bill requires states to consider measures to promote vehicle-to-grid integration under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act. The bill also directs the Department of Energy to establish a grant program for projects that use at least one electric school bus with such technology. Grants may be awarded to electric energy suppliers, state public utility commissions, school bus manufacturers, school districts, suppliers of charging infrastructure, renewable energy developers, and other eligible entities.
Sponsors: Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]
Target Audience
Population: People using or reliant on vehicle-grid integration and related energy systems
Estimated Size: 350000000
- The bill encourages the deployment of vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-everything technologies.
- Electric vehicle owners will be directly impacted as they are the primary users of vehicle-to-grid technology.
- The entire energy grid system will be affected as these technologies alter how electricity is distributed and consumed.
- The bill involves electric school buses, impacting school districts, students, and manufacturers.
- The energy sector, including electric energy suppliers and developers of renewable energy, will see changes due to the bill.
- Public utility commissions and states will partake in changes to regulatory measures, affecting how electric utilities operate.
- The broad aim of reducing congestion and increasing resilience will indirectly affect the general population, but primarily those in urban areas.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects electric vehicle (EV) owners, the energy grid, and public utilities, so individuals within these categories should be represented.
- School districts and related educational stakeholders will see changes, as will manufacturers involved in supplying electric buses and needed infrastructure.
- The impact on the broader population will mostly be indirect, affecting those in urban areas that may see reduced congestion.
- Individuals dependent on or supportive of renewable energy initiatives are also key stakeholders.
- A portion of the population, like rural residents not using electric vehicles or not impacted by school bus transitions, will experience little to no impact.
Simulated Interviews
Electric Vehicle Owner (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am hopeful that the BIDIRECTIONAL Act will help stabilize the energy grid and give EV owners like myself additional ways to utilize our vehicles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Public School District Administrator (Columbus, OH)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As we transition to electric buses, this policy could lower operational costs and reduce emissions for our fleet.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems primarily focused on vehicle owners, so I don't see a direct benefit for me right away.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Construction Worker (Austin, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transitioning the grid is fine, but the costs of electric vehicles are still out of reach for many workers like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Electric Grid Operator (Chicago, IL)
Age: 51 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Integrating EVs into the grid is essential for future energy solutions. This policy might accelerate those capabilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Retired Farmer (Rural Alabama)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 19/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think the policy affects life here much. We don't rely on fancy energy tech out here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
City Planner (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could potentially reduce congestion by making electric vehicles more practical in urban settings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Renewable Energy Developer (Portland, OR)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Innovations in grid management facilitated by this policy can enhance renewable energy deployment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
School Bus Manufacturer Employee (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The market shift to electric buses is challenging but necessary, though it raises job security concerns for many.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Public Utility Administrator (Seattle, WA)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation supports our ongoing transition to a smarter and more resilient grid, which is crucial for future consistency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $400000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $500000000)
Year 2: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 3: $600000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $700000000)
Year 5: $700000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $800000000)
Year 10: $800000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $900000000)
Year 100: $1500000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1700000000)
Key Considerations
- The transition to these technologies requires extensive upgrades to current infrastructure.
- Coordination between multiple sectors is necessary for successful integration and operation.
- Long-term savings and efficiency gains need to be balanced with short-term implementation costs.
- States' willingness and ability to modify regulatory frameworks will impact the implementation speed and effectiveness.