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SE_HSCCR_2018A 04/04/2018 10:44:41 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SELECT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE RESPONSIBILITY
Date 04/04/2018
Attendance
Arndt X
Willett E
Wist X
Winter E
Hansen X
Time 10:44:41 AM to 12:38:50 PM
Place HCR 0107
This Meeting was called to order by Hansen
This Report was prepared by Meghan MacKillop
Hearing Items Action Taken
Rural and Urban Opportunities Committee Discussion Only

10:44:43 AM
Representative Hansen called the meeting to order and gave a brief description of the topic of the meeting, which will focus on rural and economic opportunities. Members of the committee also made opening comments.



Rural and Urban Opportunities - Committee Discussion Only

10:46:30 AM  

Mark Dyson, Rocky Mountain Institute, introduced himself to the committee and provided the committee with a background of Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). RMI works with various agencies to encourage renewable energy development. Mr. Dyson discussed local solar energy resource prices as compared to wholesale energy costs. He discussed the value of local energy resources, including transmission costs, old generator costs, local job creation, and lower energy rates for businesses. Mr. Dyson outlined barriers to rural cooperatives taking advantage of local solar energy creation and discussed action that can be taken to lower those barriers.

10:55:08 AM  
Mike McBride, Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA), introduced himself to the committee and provided the committee background on GCEA. GCEA is the second smallest electric cooperative in the state and offers several programs for consumers, such as prepaid billing, income qualified weatherization, and online and mobile access to usage data. Mr. McBride discussed GCEA's renewable power supply and the voluntary green power program offered by GCEA. He also discussed local projects focused on renewable energy and GCEA's work with electric vehicles (EVs). He discussed the public EV charging provided by GCEA in Crested Butte and Gunnison County, as well as home EV charger rebates. Mr. Dyson discussed EV education and loaner programs offered by GCEA. He discussed EV charging and the risks that come with charging EVs during peak times. Mr. Dyson outlined renewable goals set by GCEA, which includes promoting EV adoption and the construction of additional public charging stations. He stated that GCEA is exploring other renewable energy sources, such as hydro and solar power.
11:03:13 AM  
Yosef Camire, Ahava Farm and National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC), introduced himself to the committee. Materials from NYFC regarding soil health as a climate resiliency tool [Attachment A] and water conservation [Attachment B]. Mr. Camire discussed the importance of soil health in agriculture and to the mitigation of climate change. Mr. Camire discussed methods some farmers use to improve soil health, including reduced tillage, cover cropping, and usage of microbes in fertilizer. Mr. Camire discussed the California Healthy Soils Program and the Oklahoma Carbon Program. He discussed the benefits of increased focus on soil health in agriculture for greenhouse gas mitigation.
11:10:27 AM  
Luis Benitez, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (CORIO), introduced himself to the committee and described CORIO's mission. Mr. Benitez discussed the importance of water for recreation activities in the state and how CORIO is studying the utilization of water in tourism activities. Mr. Benitez discussed how the same economic viability can come from the same resources during different seasons. He described programs in CORIO that encourage the utilization of the state's natural resources to encourage recreation. He discussed the importance of education opportunities regarding natural resources management and how to properly recreate in the state. He also discussed CORIO's partnership with Leave No Trace, an educational program for people who choose to recreate in the state.
11:17:49 AM  

Mr. McBride responded to questions from the committee regarding state water planning and he discussed proposed hydro projects, such as the Taylor Damn in Gunnison. Mr. Comire also responded to questions regarding water planning and discussed regenerative agriculture. Mr. Dyson also made comments regarding state water planning. Mr. Benitez responded to questions regarding recreation resource management in the state.

11:28:28 AM  
Mr. McBride responded to questions regarding utility savings for consumers of GCEA and GCEA's renewable energy goals and local green power projects.
11:31:26 AM  
Susan Nedell, Environmental Entrepreneurs
(E2), introduced herself to the committee and gave a background of E2.
 Ms. Nedell discussed E2's recent Clean Jobs Colorado report.  She
discussed opportunities for renewable energy jobs in the state and jobs
available in advanced transportation.  Ms. Nedell distribtued a copy
of the Clean Jobs Colorado Report [Attachment C].
11:38:40 AM  
Paul Zoby, American Energy Assets, introduced himself to the committee and provided the committee with an opening statement regarding climate change in the state. Mr. Zoby discussed healthcare energy conservation and discussed energy usage in hospitals. He discussed suggestions regarding energy conservation, including personal incentives for renewable energy, increasing the price of carbon, and the establishment of a renewable energy corridor.
11:48:21 AM  
Kate Bailey, Eco-Cycle Solutions, introduced herself to the committee and provided the committee with a background on Eco-Cycle Solutions. Ms. Bailey discussed recycling and composting impacts on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. She discussed programs in other states' recycling programs and programs in Colorado. She provided the committee with four strategies to improve recycling in Colorado: change the economics by increasing landfill fees; encourage the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to implement the 2016 Climate Action Plan; increase curbside recycling for every home in the state; and increase recycling market development.
11:57:05 AM  
Ms. Bailey responded to questions regarding the costs of recycling and the Resource Recycling Opportunities Grant. She also responded to questions regarding international trade practices and the recycling industry in the state. Ms. Nedell responded to questions from the committee regarding the Clean Jobs Colorado report. Mr. Zoby responded to questions from the committee regarding emission reductions in the hospital industry.
12:06:28 PM  
Shannon Bird, Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA) and the City of Westminster, introduced herself to the committee and described the goals of CC4CA. She discussed effects of climate change and the importance of communities investing in renewable energy. Ms. Bird distributed a mission statement from CC4CA [Attachment D].
12:15:44 PM  
Kevin Cross, Fort Collins Sustainability Group, introduced himself to the committee and introduced Prof. Scott Denning, Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science. Mr. Denning discussed the climate action plan adopted by the City of Fort Collins and actions the city has taken to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions. Prof. Denning demonstrated emission target simlations using the website: http://biocycle.atmos.colostate.edu/shiny/emissions/
12:29:18 PM  
Prof. Denning responded to questions from the committee. Ms. Bird also responded to questions from the committee regarding CAFE standards and the benefits of Colorado clean car standards. Mr. Cross responded to questions from the committee regarding the investment of renewable energy and climate change response in the city of Fort Collins.


12:38:50 PM   Committee Adjourned






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