I_EnergyRev_2019A 09/13/2019 08:09:45 AM Committee Summary

Representative Hansen, chair, called the meeting to order.

Representative Hansen welcomed representatives from rural and cooperative electric associations to the table as a panel.  Geoff Hier, Colorado Rural Electric Association, provided an organizational overview.  Jessica Matlock, La Plata Electric Association, provided an overview and highlighted the organization's carbon footprint reduction goals (Attachment A).  Jasen Bronec, Delta Montrose Electric Association, provided an overview, discussed his organization's work related to broadband, and made recommendations.  Tom Walch, Grand Valley Power, provided an overview, highlighted his organization's low-income community solar program, and discussed renewable portfolio standards (Attachment B).  The panel responded to questions from the committee related to Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Representative Hansen invited the remaining panelists to the table.  Alan Michalewicz, White River Electric Association, provided an overview and discussed his organization's generation requirements.  Bryan Hannegan, Holy Cross Energy, provided an overview and highlighted his organization's strategic goals (Attachment C).  The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

John Benton, Caerus Piceance, LLC, provided an overview of company information and challenges (Attachments D and E).

Representative Hansen welcomed a panel of county commissioners to the table.  Rose Pugliese, Mesa County Commissioner, discussed Mesa County's energy economy.  Don Suppes, Delta County Commissioner, discussed the importance of local control.   Mark Roeber, Delta County Commissioner, provided an overview of Delta County's energy production history and related impact on local tax revenues.

The first panel of County Commissioners responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Hansen welcomed the remaining county commissioners to the table.  Doug Monger, Routt County Commissioner, discussed Routt County's economy and the transition of the Hayden Generating Station.  Ray Beck, Moffat County Commissioner, discussed the impact of recent state legislation and his concerns about replacing tax revenue from the Craig Generating Station.  Jonathan Houck, Gunnison County Commissioner, provided an overview of energy production in Gunnison County.  The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Bonnie Petersen, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, provided an organizational overview to the committee and highlighted northwest Colorado's energy concerns.

Christian Reece, Club20, discussed her organization's energy-related concerns.

Suzanne Tegen, Center for the New Energy Economy, discussed her research in Western Slope communities related to energy economy transitions.

Mark Haggerty, Headwaters Economics, discussed his work around western U.S. energy issues and made recommendations (Attachment F).

Chris Caskey, Delta Brick and Climate Company, provided an overview of his organization and discussed how climate action and economic development can be a coordinated effort (Attachment G).

Raymond Pilcher, Raven Ridge Resources, discussed his company's work related to energy infrastructure transformations (Attachment H).

Michael Coté, Ruby Canyon Engineering, discussed his company's work in the field of greenhouse gas consulting (Attachment I).

The committee recessed.

Representative Hansen opened the public testimony phase.  Public testimony was heard from the Capitol and at the meeting site.

Marie Venner, representing Together Colorado, provided testimony remotely.

Briana Greer, representing Solid Solution Geosciences, provided testimony.

Christopher Campbell, representing Atlasta Solar Center, provided testimony.

Leslie Robinson, representing the Grand Valley Citizens Alliance, provided testimony.

Steve Pudlewski, representing Enterprise Products, provided testimony.

Natasha Léger, Citizens for a Healthy Community, provided testimony.

Jennifer Berman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, discussed the bill draft request process and deadlines.  Erin Reynolds, Legislative Council Staff, briefly discussed deadlines related to the committee's fiscal notes.  Representative Hansen opened the floor to committee members to propose and discuss bill drafts requests.