Resolved.  Notwithstanding any general law, special law or local ordinance to the contrary, the department of public utilities shall conduct an investigation into the electric system capacity and charging infrastructure needed to accommodate the deployment of vehicles that are propelled, in whole or in part, by battery-stored electric energy supplied from the electric grid.   The investigation shall solicit public input and shall include, but not be limited to, an investigation of (a) appropriate electric metering  technologies needed to accurately and effectively track the charging of  electric vehicles; (b) local and state system reliability planning for the deployment of  electric vehicles; (c) the potential for time-of-use rates, off-peak electric rates for electric  vehicle use, or other mechanisms to encourage off-peak vehicle charging, (d) the barriers and policies to remove barriers to electric vehicle usage and smart charging and; (e) the impact rate and other utility policies will have on greenhouse gas emissions in the commonwealth.  Upon completion of the investigation, the department shall issue an order, no later than January 1, 2012, that sets forth regulatory changes that it shall require from each electric utility and a reasonable timeframe and method for implementing those changes.

Notwithstanding any general law, special law or local ordinance to the contrary, the executive office of energy and environmental affairs, in cooperation with the department of public utilities, the department of energy resources and the department of transportation, shall conduct an investigation that offers opportunities for public engagement and input, evaluating electric vehicle charging standards and shall issue a report making recommendations for the commonwealth that are consistent with the rest of the country, and shall issue a report to the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy, no later than January 1, 2012.