S_TRA_2019A 04/16/2019 02:02:39 PM Committee Summary

David Ulane, director of the Colorado Aeronautical Board, introduced the two appointees to the board. Charles Myers and Kenneth Maenpa spoke about their professional backgrounds and explained why they want to serve on the board.  The committee was provided with a packet of information about the appointees (Attachment A).

Senators Foote and Story, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1003. The bill increases the maximum size for a community solar garden from two to five megawatts; modifies requirements related to subscriber location; and requires electrical supervision and inspection for community solar gardens producing over two megawatts. They provided amendments L.018 (Attachment B) and L.025 (Attachment C).

Jan Douglas, representing the Colorado Sierra Club, testified in support of the bill.

Joe Schneider, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Susan Nedell, representing Environmental Entrepreneurs, testified in support of the bill.

Brit Gibson, representing Pivot Energy, testified in support of the bill.

Matt Jones, representing Boulder County Commissioners and Colorado Communities for Climate Actions, testified in support of the bill.

Jeff Cramer, representing the Coalition for Community Solar Access, testified in support of the bill.

Sabrina Zunker, representing the Colorado Realtors Association, testified in support of the bill.

David Amster-Olszewski, representing Sun Share Community Solar, testified in support of the bill.

Jack Ihle, representing Xcel Energy, testified in support of the bill.

Mike Kruger, representing the Colorado Solar and Storage Association, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Jan Rose, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

John Hereford, representing Oak Leaf Energy Partners, testified in support of the bill.

Eric A(the spelling for this witness's name was not available), representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Phil Hayes, representing several contractor unions, testified in support of the bill with the adoption of amendment L.018.

The sponsors wrapped up their presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee returned to order.

Senate Majority Leader Fenberg and President Garcia, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-236. The bill continues the Public Utilities Commission in the Department of Regulatory Agencies, which is scheduled to sunset on September 1, 2019. Thecommittee was provided with amendments L.001 (Attachment D), L.003 (Attachment E), L.004 (Attachment F), L.007 (Attachment G), L.008 (Attachment H), L.006 (Attachment I), and L.002 (Attachment J). They responded to questions from the committee.

Patty Salazar, executive director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies, testified in support of the bill.

Jan Rose, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, testified in support of the bill.

Gina Hardin, representing 350 Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Matt Larson, representing Xcel Energy, testified about the role of carbon costs in portfolio analysis.

Jack Ihle, representing Xcel Energy, testified about distribution system planning.

Jonathan Koehn, representing the city of Boulder, testified about the bill.

Dianna Orf, representing the Colorado Mining Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Tom Easley, representing Colorado Communities for Climate Action, testified in support of the bill.

Amelia Myers, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Tom Figel, representing Grid Alternatives, testified in support of the bill.

Karey Christ-Janer, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Matthew Gerhart, representing the Sierra Club, testified in support of the bill.

KK DuVivier, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Bill Levis, representing AARP, testified in support of the bill with amendments.

Susan Nedell, representing Environmental Entrepreneurs, testified in support of the bill.

Joseph Benkert, representing Boulder Regional Emergency Telephone Service Authority, testified in support of the bill with amendments.

Laurent Meillon, representing Capitol Solar Energy, testified in support of the bill.

Rebecca Cantwell, representing the Colorado Renewable Energy Society, testified in support of the bill.

Howard Geller, representing the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, testified in support of the bill.

Mike Kruger, representing the Colorado Solar and Storage Association, testified in support of the bill.

Ean Tafoya, representing the Colorado Latino Forum, testified in support of the bill.

Shayne Madsen, representing the Independence Institute, testified in opposition to the bill. She provided a handout (Attachment K).

Sandra Murray, representing herself, testified about the bill.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee returned to order.

The sponsors wrapped up their presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.

Members of the committee commented about their positions on the bill.