Jennifer Potter will replace outgoing state PUC Commissioner Lorraine Akiba, whose term expires in June.  

The move responses to demands from dozens of stakeholder groups to accelerate the state's efforts with electric vehicle adoption. 

Researchers at Resources for the Future and the R Street Institute offer an alternative approach to the recent National Energy Technology Laboratory study.

Based on its projections, the utility estimates that energy storage has the potential to become cost effective in 2029.

The bill would "establish mechanisms" for investor-owned electric utilities to procure energy storage systems, though certain criteria would need to be met.