CD17BDD13605023887258727005C9F51 Hearing Summary CLICS/CLICS2021A/commsumm.nsf PUBLICBILL SUMMARY For PRESENTATION FROM COLORADO ENERGY OFFICE AND COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONINTERIM COMMITTEE TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEEDate Aug 4, 2021 Location Old State Library Presentation from Colorado Energy Office and Colorado Department of Transportation - Committee Discussion Only Attachment Tag File Name Attachment G http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2021A/commsumm.nsf/0/89A4BB4FB383...$File/21TLRC0804AttachG.pdf?OpenElement 21TLRC0804AttachG.pdf Attachment H http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2021A/commsumm.nsf/0/6B69C79A8D7E...$File/21TLRC0804AttachH.pdf?OpenElement 21TLRC0804AttachH.pdf 10:51:43 AM Shoshana Lew, Executive Director representing the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), provided a PowerPoint presesentation (Attachment G) and an update about Glenwood Canyon. Director Lew discussed that the threat to the canyon is ongoing with three areas of concern: moving debris to determine what needs permanent repairs; dealing with unstable boulders; and safe passage for CDOT employees and contractors working on the road. She touched on areas outside of the canyon experiencing the greatest damage, including the Shoshone Power Plant. She stated that the structure is secure, but CDOT continues to monitor the area. She mentioned that CDOT is working when the weather is safe, however the monsoon weather pattern is a problem. She also suggested that there may be additional water damage, but CDOT does not believe there is structural damage. 10:55:20 AM Director Lew talked about damage on the upper decks of the highway, as well as submersiion of the lower deck. She mentioned that the flow of the river channel was affected, too. Director Lew talked about ther partnership between CDOT and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to take care of emergency operations and monitor safety. She stated that DPS is helping with traffic and CDOT is working within communities and with peer agencies and the federal government. Director Lew indicated that the Governor's declaration under the Stafford Act will bring in resources. She stated that US50 is open until the situation is stabilized and that the efforts to work on the highway will be long term. 10:58:02 AM Director Lew talked about developments over the previous 48 hours, including work with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide emergency program funds, separate from the emergency declaration. Steve Harrelson, Chief Engineer for CDOT, provided additional information about the damage to the highway. He stated that stanchions on the upper deck that hold the concrete need to be repaired with new concrete and rebar near Blue Gulch. He talked about debris removal and indicated that the lower deck contains mud and water that has undercut the retaining wall, possibly damaging it. 11:01:33 AM Mr. Harrelson talked about the debris flow. He mentioned that the debris was like oatmeal and 15 feet deep, but is now rocks the size of cars, trash cans, and bowling balls, perhaps making the debris harder to move. He talked about recent storms and the constant clearing of debris that forces the river from side to side. Mr. Harrelson outlined the damage from Dotsero to Rifle, with severe damage at Hanging Lakes. He stated that the access to the Shoshone Intake Dam is obliterated, and that power is out at Shoshone, including no power for the dam gates. 11:07:54 AM There was a discussion about the timeframe for opening the road. Mr. Harrelson outlined the plan to have one lane open in each direction next week, one on the top deck and one on the bottom deck. He indicated that CDOT will get more help this week from contractors with dump trucks and front end loaders, although they are affected by the trucking shortage, too. He stated that the plan is to have the highway completely open before the onset of winter and the ski season. 11:16:07 AM There was a discussion about supporting communities. CDOT staff indicated that impediments to alternate routes, US 50 and a smaller project on US 285, were removed. Director Lew indicated that the State Patrol is providing enforcement, signage, flagging, and temporary staff on Independence Pass. She asked that communities communicate successes and needs. She talked about a standing group, including counties, to provide feedback on traffic and other issues; and mentioned long term conversatons with regards to response, recovery, and resiliency. 11:25:09 AM Discussion turned to the effects of wildfire and materials for mitigating fire on forest health. Mr. Harrelson discussed how materials and seed are applied with fire retardant, however run off is increased due to the state of the soil. He mentioned that the soil must be broken up, however this does happen over time. Mr. Harrelson and Director Lew talked about the State Forest Service and Department of Natural Resources work with CDOT. Director Lew mentioned that the berm at the top of Hanging Lake Tunnel was helpful in containing some of the debris. 11:29:07 AM There was a discussion about alternate routes and communication with local partners, including packaging projects together with additional discussions. 11:36:39 AM Mr. Harrelson discussed State Highway 14, including that there was no damage due to mud, however there were issues with culverts. The discussion included funding and response related to the 2013 floods, such as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and FHWA funds. 11:41:59 AM There was a discussion about problems with immediate repairs as well as previous repairs. 11:42:43 AM Director Will Toor, representing the Colorado Energy Office (CEO), provided an update on transportation emissions and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals (Attachment H). He talked about transportation as the largest source of GHG emissions in the state. He outlined other major sources, including: electric power generation, oil and gas, and buildings. Director Toor talked about the GHG Roadmap, released last year, that sets goals over the next decade through 2030. He mentioned that low and zero emission vehicle rules are already in place and that fleet turnover will continue, as well as investment in light duty infrastructure and electrifiction. Director Toor outlined additional strategies, including: focusing on GHG emission pollution standards for transportation plans; incentivizing land use near jobs to reduce vehicle miles traveled; developing a clean trucking strategy and vehicle standards post 2025; looking at air quality standard for indirect sources of GHG; and expanding public transit. 11:46:27 AM Director Toor talked about the passage of Senate Bill 21-260, including the investment of $724 million in charging infrastructure. He talked about three new enterprises that will create charging infrastructure; provide incentives to fleet electrification; and electrify public transit. He also mentioned that $1.2 billion will be required over the next decade by government, private entities, and public transit to meet goals for infrastructure. Director Toor talked about the removal of obstacles to transportation electrification and requiring utilities to file transportation electrification plans with the passage of Senate Bill19-077. 11:55:40 AM Director Toor indicated that the federal government will create new light duty vehicle GHG emission and Cafe standards and that California will soon adopt clean air standards. He talked about how states may choose to adopt the California standards or the federal Clean Air Act standards. Director Toor talked about zero emissions for all new vehicles by 2035. He touched on the clean trucking strategy and reduction of emissions from medium and heavy duty trucks. He presented the following strategies for clean trucking: truck fleet turnover must accelerate to incorporate clean technology and zero emissions; SmartWay; advanced clean truck standards; support for the workforce; and a green procurement policy. 12:01:34 PM Director Lew talked about GHG emissions and the ongoing rulemaking involving the Transportation Commission. She outlined that the rule will define the role of government in transportation planning and provide more options to the public. She stated that the draft rule will be released on August 13, 2021, followed by five public hearings. Director Lew provided information about a policy paper describes the major issues, including: how pollution reduction is considered; the magnitude of reductions; mitigation measuresl and enforcement. She stated that the current transportation plan will most likely be changed. 12:07:17 PM Director Lew discussed the CDOT rule as a mechanism to reduce GHG in the transportation sector through transportation planning organizations. She stated that Metropolitation Planning Organization funding will be linked to mitigating GHG. She also mentioned that various options will be available to assist local organizations in meeting emissions goals and providing options for consumers. She stated that the GHG Roadmap outlines how emissions will be reduced. 12:15:04 PM There was a discussion about enforcement measures related to GHG emissions in recent legislation, as well as emissions goals in other sectors and market transformation. The dicussion touched on transportation choices, including mode and type of vehicle. Director Lew indicated that multiple strategies, such as regulatory standards for new vehicles and emissions, could be deployed to realize goals. She mentioned that additional infrastructure funding from the federal government will assist in making changes at the scale required. 12:18:34 PM Director Lew talked about the federal government's focus on large auto companies. CDOT and committee members discussed comprehensive planning for transportation and overall GHG emissions calculations. She mentioned that several levels of government are working together to get a handle on the various pieces of the transportation sector. Director Lew stated that this is a new project for CDOT and the federal goverment is looking at Colorado as an example to follow. 12:25:13 PM Fuel standards were discussed, especially developments at the federal level, with a proposal possible by the end of the year. The payload of electric trucks was also discussed, including goals surrounding fleet vehicles. Perhaps other government agencies, such as higher education and local schools should be included in these goals. Air quality issues surrounding diesel school buses were discussed and a possible shift to electric school buses. There was a suggestion that the Transportation Legislation Review Committee assist with electrification goals. Mr. Toor shared that Higher Education is involved in discussions with CEO on collaborations for buildings and transportation. He suggested that there may be opportunities for TLRC to assist in endeavors. 12:34:13 PM There was a discussion about generating electricity for vehicle charging and batteries for vehicles. Director Toor talked about the future of electric generation, including electric resource plans adoptions by Colorado utility companies for an 80 percent reduction in pollution by 2030. He explained that the goal is to replace coal fired electric generation plants with wind and solar, and use gas turbines for back up. Director Toor stated that the gas turbines will not be used often, but are essential to reliability. He mentioned that the goal is to have carbon free electric generation after 2030, which will require technical and business innovations. He talked about innovations, including: improvements in long range battery storage; technologies that form energies; and firm zero carbon generation, such as modular nuclear, hydrogen, and using exess renewables energy to hydrolize water to create green hydrogen for combustion turbines. Director Toor suggested that these technoligies will provide both generation and storage. He stated that federal investment is expected through the infrastructure package and budget reconciliation. Director Toor mentioned a partnership with Eight Rivers Capital and the Southern Ute tribe to create a 320 megawatt Allen cycle gas plant with carbon capture that may provide zero carbon generation to feed into utility plants. 12:42:29 PM Director Toor discussed the load on the elctric grid for charging vehicles. He referenced two state studies which include light and heavy duty vehicles; one study will be available later this fall. He indicated that generally there is a net positive benefit to the grid, especially related to light duty vehicles since charging will take place at night. Director Toor indicated that there is often excess capacity at night for transmission and storage. He mentioned that fixed costs are spread over a larger number of killowatt hours which should have downward pressure on rates.