Optimizing Colorado Electric Transmission System

Current law requires the Colorado electric transmission authority (authority) to conduct a study on the need for expanded transmission capacity in the state and prepare a final report of the study on or before January 31, 2025. Section 2 of the bill authorizes the authority to conduct the study on a recurring basis and requires the authority to present a statewide transmission plan, based on the results of the study, to the Colorado public utilities commission (commission) and the legislature every 3 years, beginning on or before September 1, 2027. Section 2 requires the authority to consider advanced transmission technologies in the study and identify certain projects that use advanced transmission technologies. "Advanced transmission technologies" is defined in section 1 as hardware or software technologies that increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or resiliency of an existing or new transmission facility. Section 3 designates the authority as a statewide transmission coordinator. Among other duties, the authority is required to facilitate coordinated statewide planning; engage with regional and interregional planning processes; and establish an expert advisory panel to review and provide feedback on model inputs, assumptions, and approaches.

Under current law, an electric utility must submit an electric resource plan to the commission for approval. Sections 4 and 5 require an electric utility to:

• Include in the electric resource plan a transmission plan that identifies certain transmission resources and projects;
• Incorporate in the electric resource plan an evaluation of advanced transmission technologies or submit to the commission an explanation of why advanced transmission technologies are not included in the electric resource plan; and
• Provide model inputs and assumptions and other system information or methodology consultation necessary to support the authority in acting as a statewide transmission coordinator.

Section 4 allows the commission to design incentives for a retail electric utility that utilizes advanced transmission technologies. Section 6 requires an electric utility to consider advanced transmission technologies in the electric utility's 10-year transmission plan.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)