Expert Testimony on BGE’s Electric School Bus Pilot
The recent enactment of the Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA) in Maryland authorizes investor-owned electric utilities to propose electric school bus (EVSB) pilot programs to the Public Service Commission for approval. Synapse was retained by the Maryland Office of the People's Counsel to provide expert witness services related Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s (BGE) application for an EVSB pilot program in accordance with the CSNA. While Synapse supports the electrification of school buses, we raised concerns related to the size of BGE's propose pilot and budget and whether it adhered to the CSNA; the lack of a defined proposal to test vehicle-to-grid applications of the EVSBs; the cost recovery structure; and insufficient tracking metrics and evaluation criteria for the pilot.