S_TRA_2018A 03/27/2018 02:00:38 PM Committee Summary

Senators Priola and Williams, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-216. Currently, resellers of electricity and natural gas may provide charging ports or fueling stations for motor vehicles as unregulated services. This bill authorizes public utilities to provide these services as regulated or unregulated services and allows for cost recovery. Under the bill, a utility may apply to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to build alternative fuel vehicle infrastructure. The bill sets standards for PUC approval. When a facility is built, the rate and charges for the services:

• may allow a return on any investment made by an electric or natural gas public utility at the utility's weighted average cost of capital at the public utility's most recent rate of return on equity approved by the PUC; and
• must be recovered from all customers of an electric or natural gas public utility in a manner that is similar to the recovery of distribution system investments.

Members of the committee were provided with a packet of photographs of individuals posing with their electric vehicles [Attachment A].  They were also provided with a Legislative Council Staff memo about the fiscal impact of amendment L.002 [Attachment B].

Senator Williams continued to explain the bill. Senator Priola spoke about the cost efficiency of electric vehicles.

Max Baumhefner, representing the Natural Resources Defense Council, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Baumhefner responded to questions from the committee.

Aaron Young, representing himself, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Aaron Hoffman, representing himself, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Dr. Lou Villaire, representing himself, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Erin Riccio, reading the testimony of David Miller, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Pauline Struckman, representing herself, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Sarah McCarthy, reading a statement from Mike McBride, testified in support of the bill.

Ryan Coleman, representing himself, testified remotely in support of the bill. He did not officially sign up.  Mr. Coleman responded to questions from the committee. 

Carl Behr, representing himself, testified remotely in support of the bill.  He did not officially sign up.

Chris Calwell, representing himself, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Deborah Paulson, representing herself, testified remotely in support of the bill.

John Lyons, representing himself, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Mr. Calwell returned to the table to respond to a committee questions about alternative fuel vehicles. Senator Priola weighed in about the use of fossil fuels.

Lisa Pool, reading a statement from Toni Ward, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Mike Kelly, representing himself, testified remotely in support of the bill.

Mike Krause, representing the Independence Institute, testified in opposition to the bill.

Brandon Work, representing Advancing Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Grier Bailey, representing the Colorado Petroleum Marketers Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee discussion with Mr. Bailey continued.

Committee discussion continued.

Jill Bishop, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

John Backlund, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Will Toor, representing the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Toor responded to questions from the committee.

Senators Williams and Priola wrapped up their presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.