I_EnergyRev_2019A 08/12/2019 09:30:30 AM Committee Summary

Daniel Hodges, Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities (CAMU), provided an overview of CAMU to the committee.  CAMU is headquartered in Colorado Springs and currently represents municipal electric distribution systems in 28 cities and towns.

Jeffrey Wells, Fort Morgan City Manager, provided an overview of the city's electric department to the committee. He noted that Fort Morgan has 25 percent more manufacturing than the average U.S. town and that resource affordability is critical for their customer base.  He said that 47 percent of Fort Morgan's energy comes from renewable sources.



Mr. Wells discussed Fort Morgan's and other Colorado municipal utilities' membership in the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN), which is a nonprofit wholesale electricity supply organization covering Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming.  Mr. Wells also discussed upcoming energy projects for the city, specifically a small hydropower project, and the community's interest in solar gardens.

Mr. Wells responded to questions from the committee regarding energy generation, the integration of the energy grid, and tariffs.

Elizabeth Burns-Thompson and Kent Hartwig of the Renewable Energy Group (REG) distributed their presentation (Attachment A) and provided an overview of their organization's work in the field of biodiesel.

Ms. Burns-Thompson discussed the potential impact of biodiesel on the state's emissions goals and the marine industries' use of biodiesel.  Mr. Hartwig discussed a variety of policy options involving biodiesel.

Ms. Burns-Thompson and Mr. Hartwig responded to questions from the committee regarding biodiesel fuel standards, the requirement for heated fuel storage, and the engine modifications required to run B100 (100 percent biodiesel).  The presenters responded to questions about biodiesel usage and policies in other states, and the comparative economics of biodiesel and petroleum in incentivized markets.

Lisa Hickey, Senior Regulatory Counsel for the Interwest Energy Alliance, distributed a copy of her presentation to the committee (Attachment B).  She discussed the work of her organization, which is a coalition of renewable energy companies and environmental advocacy organizations in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Ms. Hickey discussed recent Colorado energy legislation, opportunities for wind and solar energy, regional coordination in the energy sector, and real-time grid management.

Ms. Hickey responded to questions from the committee regarding solar energy, energy grid management, grid regionalization, and reserve requirements in Colorado and other states.

Jon Becker and Jim Zwetzig, Morgan County Commissioners, discussed energy generation in Morgan County, worker retraining, and the financial impact of energy policy on local and state revenue.  Committee discussion ensued.

Byron Pelton and Jane Bauder, Logan County Commissioners, discussed the economic impact of renewable and coal power in Logan County and worker retraining.  The commissioners responded to questions from the committee regarding worker retraining and different forms of energy production.

Ed Schifferns, Lincoln County Commissioner, discussed use taxes, energy productions facilities, and the incidence of renewable generation in Lincoln County.

Trent Bushner, Yuma County Commissioner, discussed the intersections between the agricultural and energy industries in Yuma County. Commissioner Bushner responded to questions from the committee regarding small businesses, renewable energy generation, and energy policy.

Tony Wells, Washington County Commissioner, discussed the culture of the county, changes in energy production, and subsequent consequences on the county.

Following presentations from the county commissioners, the committee departed for tours of Xcel Energy's Pawnee Generating Station in Brush (Attachment C) and a NextEra Energy Resources wind project in Limon (Attachment D).