S_SA_2019A 05/01/2019 03:56:42 PM Committee Summary

Senator Priola and Senator Winter, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1313. The bill establishes targets for the state's largest investor-owned utility to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and allows other utilities to opt-in to clean energy plans. The utility is required to submit its clean energy plan to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) as part of its electric resource planning process. The Department of Public Health and Environment is required to review these plans and to verify compliance with emissions targets. The bill also allows a utility to apply to the PUC for a financing order authorizing it to issue securitized utility ratepayer-backed bonds when closing an electric generating facility.

Bill Levis, representing AARP, testified against the bill and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment A).

Amy Cooke, representing the Coalition of Ratepayers, testified against the bill.

Jaclyn Terwey, representing Intermountain Rural Electric Association, testified against the bill.

Chris McGowan, representing the Colorado Petroleum Council, testified against the bill.

Ms. Cooke responded to questions from the committee.

Katie Belgard, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Emily Gedeon, representing the Colorado Sierra Club and the National Resources Defense Council, testified in support of the bill.

Matt Larson, representing Xcel Energy, testified in support of the bill.

Gary Arnold, representing Rocky Mountain Pipe Trades District Council 5, testified in support of the bill.

Melanie Layton, representing Next Era Energy, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Arnold, Mr. Larson, and Ms. Gedeon responded to questions from the committee.

Andrew Bennett, representing Energy Outreach Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.