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H_ENE_2023A 04/20/2023 12:42:19 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Date 04/20/2023
Attendance
DeGraaf *
Dickson *
Evans *
Froelich X
Valdez X
Velasco *
Vigil *
Weissman *
Winter T. X
Willford X
Kipp X
Time 12:42:19 PM to 11:11:51 PM
Place Old State Library
This Meeting was called to order by Kipp
This Report was prepared by Samantha Falco
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB23-1282 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB23-186 Amended, referred to House Appropriations
SB23-016 Amended, referred to House Finance
HB23-1294 Amended, referred to House Appropriations
HB23-1281 Amended, referred to House Finance

HB23-1282 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole
12:43:59 PM  
Co-sponsors of the
bill, Representatives Kipp and Valdez, gave an overview of House Bill 23-1282
Protect Consumers from Public Utilities. The bill grants protections under
the Colorado Consumer Protection Act against any public utility that violates
the act.
12:47:27 PM  
Mr. Daniel Hodges,
representing The Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities, testified
in opposition to the bill. David Dazlich, representing Colorado Springs
Chamber & Economic Development COmmission (EDC), testified in opposition
to the bill. Mr. Kent Singer, representing Colorado Rural Electric Association,
testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Jack Johnson, representing Delta
Montrose Electric Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr.
Tom Walsh, representing Grand Valley Power, testified in opposition to
the bill. Joseph Del Guidice, representing themself, testified in opposition
to the bill.
01:00:59 PM  
The committee asked the panel of witnesses a number of questions.
01:19:21 PM  
Troy Whitmore, representing United Power, Inc., testified in opposition to the bill. Dianna Orf, representing Colorado Water Congress, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Lori Saine, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
01:24:42 PM  
The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.
01:28:03 PM  
Mr. Bruce Stotts, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
01:30:54 PM  
Derek Turner, representing
the City of Loveland, testified in support of the bill.
01:32:20 PM  
The co-sponsors gave closing comments on the bill.
01:36:56 PM  
The committee gave closing comments on the bill.


01:47:30 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 23-1282 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Kipp
Seconded Valdez
DeGraaf No
Dickson Yes
Evans No
Froelich Yes
Valdez Yes
Velasco Excused
Vigil No
Weissman Yes
Winter T. No
Willford Yes
Kipp Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 4   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB23-186 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations

01:49:04 PM  
Co-sponsors, Representatives
Winter and Willford, gave an overview of Senate Bill 23-186 Oil & Gas
Commission Study Methane Seepage Raton Basin. The bill commissions a study
on methane seepage in the Raton Basin.
01:52:27 PM  
The committee asked the sponsors questions on the bill.
01:54:42 PM  
Patricia Garcia-Nelson, representing GreenLatinos, testified in a neutral position on the bill.
01:56:14 PM  
Mr. Felix Lopez,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Chris Sanchez,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Kevin Davis,
representing Evergreen Natural Resources LLC, testified in support of the
bill. Mr. Davis brought two presentations (Attachments A.1 and A.2). Jim
Montoya, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Mark
Sexton, representing Evergreen Natural Resources, testified in support
of the bill.
02:07:25 PM  
The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.
02:11:51 PM  
Ms. Mimi Larsen,
representing Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation commission, was available
to answer committee questions.
02:13:03 PM  
Co-sponsors introduced and gave an overview of amendment L.008 (Attachment B).


02:14:39 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.008
Moved Willford
Seconded Winter T.
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco Excused
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
02:14:40 PM  
The sponsors gave closing comments on the bill.
02:15:57 PM  
The committee gave closing comments on the bill.


02:19:20 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 23-186, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Willford
Seconded Winter T.
DeGraaf Yes
Dickson Yes
Evans Yes
Froelich Yes
Valdez Yes
Velasco Excused
Vigil Yes
Weissman Yes
Winter T. Yes
Willford Yes
Kipp Yes
Final YES: 10   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB23-016 - Amended, referred to House Finance

02:19:43 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
02:20:00 PM  
The committee came back to order.
02:21:24 PM  
Co-sponsors, Representatives
McCormick and Sirota, gave an overview of Senate Bill 23-016 Greenhouse
Gas Emission Reduction Measures. The bill creates a state income tax credit
for new, electric-powered lawn equipment; requires the Public Employees'
Retirement Association and insurance companies to study climate risks to
their investment portfolios; authorizes the Department of Natural Resources
to regulate Class VI injection wells; updates the state's greenhouse gas
emissions reduction goals; and commissions a study on electric transmission
capacity.
02:25:21 PM  
The committee asked the sponsors questions on the bill.
02:27:11 PM  
Anneliese Steel, representing Colorado Concern, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Antoinette Starner, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
02:30:35 PM  
The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.
02:30:48 PM  
Mr. Ramesh Bhatt, representing Sierra Club, testified to amend the bill. Charlie Palladino, representing Earthworks, testified to amend the bill. Ms. Leslie Glustrom, representing Clean Energy Action, testified to amend the bill. Patricia Garcia-Nelson, representing GreenLatinos, testified to amend the bill.
02:46:55 PM  
The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.
02:49:08 PM  
Angelique Espinoza, representing Good Business Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Katie Schneer, representing Environmental Defense Fund, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Kirsten Schatz, representing Colorado Public Interest Research Group, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Matt Sura, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Erin Bertoli, representing Metro Water Recovery, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Bertoli responded to questions from the committee.
03:04:02 PM  
Director Julie Murphy,
representing Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Department of
Natural Resources , responded to committee questions.



Additional written
testimony is included as Attachment C.
03:10:15 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
03:11:26 PM  
The committee came back to order.
03:11:43 PM  
The sponsors introduced
and gave an overview of amendment L.041 (Attachment D).


03:13:58 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.041
Moved Weissman
Seconded Willford
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco Excused
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:13:59 PM  
The sponsors introduced
and gave an overview of amendment L.042 (Attachment E).
03:14:43 PM  
The sponsors answered questions on the amendment.


03:16:07 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.042
Moved Weissman
Seconded Willford
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco Excused
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:16:08 PM  
The sponsors introduced
and gave an overview of amendment L.043 (Attachment F).


03:17:02 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.043
Moved Weissman
Seconded Willford
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco Excused
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:17:03 PM  
The sponsors introduced
and gave an overview of amendment L.048 (Attachment G).


03:17:58 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.048
Moved Weissman
Seconded Willford
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco Excused
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:17:59 PM  
The sponsors introduced
and gave an overview of amendment L.049 (Attachment H).


03:18:50 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.049
Moved Weissman
Seconded Willford
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco Excused
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:18:51 PM  
The sponsors introduced
and gave an overview of amendment L.046 (Attachment I).


03:19:43 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.046
Moved Weissman
Seconded Willford
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco Excused
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:19:44 PM  
The sponsors gave closing comments on the bill.
03:21:22 PM  
The committee gave closing comments on the bill.


03:24:08 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 23-016, as amended, to the Committee on Finance.
Moved Willford
Seconded Vigil
DeGraaf No
Dickson Yes
Evans No
Froelich Yes
Valdez Yes
Velasco Yes
Vigil Yes
Weissman Yes
Winter T. No
Willford Yes
Kipp Yes
Final YES: 8   NO: 3   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB23-1294 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations

03:24:46 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
03:25:04 PM  
The committee came back to order.
03:25:38 PM  
Co-sponsors, Representatives
Bacon and Willford, gave an overview of House Bill 23-1294 Pollution Protection
Measures. The bill updates procedures and requirements for air quality
control regulations. The sponsors introduced and gave an overview of amendment
L.001 (Attachment J) which is a strike-below.
03:56:28 PM  
The committee asked the sponsors questions on the bill.
03:57:17 PM  
Dr. Brent Goodlet,
representing Climate Movement Co., testified in support of the bill. Patricia
Garcia-Nelson, representing GreenLatinos, testified in support of the bill.
Victor Galvan, representing Protegete with Conservation Colorado, testified
in support of the bill. Renee Chacon, representing themself, testified
in support of the bill.
04:15:44 PM  
The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.
04:16:02 PM  
Andrew Forkes-Gudmundson,
representing Earthworks, testified in support of the bill. President Portia
Prescott, representing Rocky Mountain National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP) CO-MT-WY State Conference, testified in support
of the bill. Mr. Nick Torres, representing American Lung Association, testified
in support of the bill. Rebecca Curry, representing Earthjustice, testified
in support of the bill. Cindy Copeland, representing Boulder County, testified
in support of the bill.
04:27:58 PM  
The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.
04:41:21 PM  
Dr. Kate Weber, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Von Bortz, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jody Shadduck-McNally,
representing Larimer County and Colorado Communities for Climate Action,
testified in support of the bill. Jean Lim, representing themself, testified
in support of the bill.
04:48:45 PM  
Mr. Raymond Lucas,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mark Kaat,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Amanda
Bidgood, representing Elevation Resources, LLC, testified in opposition
to the bill. Richard Orf, representing Associated Governments of Northwest
Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Mark Hinaman, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Shannon Erdmann, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Matthew Oster, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill.



The panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.
05:21:50 PM  
Mrs. Linda Erickson,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Portia
Berrey, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Sara
Blackhurst, representing Action 22, testified in opposition to the bill.
Shirley Crowfoot, representing themself, testified in opposition to the
bill. Charles Daldry, representing themself, testified in opposition to
the bill. Dianna Orf, representing Colorado Mining Association, testified
in opposition to the bill. Adam Burg, representing Denver Metro Chamber
of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Steven Yaussy, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
05:40:18 PM  
The panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.
05:40:34 PM  
Eric Hodek, representing
Weld County, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Lynn Granger, representing
American Petroleum Institute, testified in opposition to the bill. Trisha
Oeth, representing Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,
testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Jacquelyn Beavers, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Zach Asche, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Mike Edwards, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
06:08:32 PM  
The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.
06:30:12 PM  
The committee continued asking the panels questions.
06:30:26 PM  
Rev. Janel Apps Ramsey, representing Together Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Andrew Klooster, representing Earthworks, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Matt Sura, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Nini Gu, representing Environmental Defense Fund, testified in support of the bill.
06:47:50 PM  
Director Julie Murphy,
representing Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Department of
Natural Resources, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Charles  Perko,
representing United Steelworkers, testified in opposition to the bill.
Mr. Perko brought a handout for the committee (Attachment K). Mr.  David
 Ferryman, representing EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel, testified in opposition
to the bill. Mayor Nick Gradisar, representing City of Pueblo, testified
in opposition to the bill. Nadine Jung, representing themself, testified
in opposition to the bill. Mr. Ron Herkstroeter, representing themself,
testified in opposition to the bill. Bill Hawkins, representing themself,
testified in opposition to the bill.
07:04:06 PM  
The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.
07:04:21 PM  
Lorena Gonzalez,
representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms.
Alexis Schwartz, representing Sierra Club of Colorado, testified in support
of the bill. Jacob Smith, representing Colorado Communities for Climate
Action, testified in support of the bill. Mike Foote, representing Earthworks,
testified in support of the bill.



The panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.
07:28:16 PM  
Dan Haley, representing
Colorado Oil & Gas Association, testified in opposition to the bill.
Mrs. Christy Woodward, representing Colorado Oil and Gas Association, testified
in opposition to the bill. Rachel Beck, representing Colorado Competitive
Council, testified in opposition to the bill. John Jacus, representing
Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr.
Donald Kleppinger, representing themself, testified in opposition to the
bill. Mr. Richard Mulhern, representing themself, testified in opposition
to the bill. Chris Nelson, representing themself, testified in opposition
to the bill. Marco Guillen, representing themself, testified in opposition
to the bill. Commissioner Lori Saine, representing Weld County, testified
in opposition to the bill.
07:50:49 PM  
The panel answered questions from the committee.
07:51:07 PM  
Jared Bynum, representing
Colorado Rising, testified in support of the bill. Sara  Kuntzler,
representing Mountain Mamas, testified in support of the bill. Rev. Jeff
Neuman-Lee, representing Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate, testified
in support of the bill. Commissioner George Marlin, representing Counties
and Commissioners Acting Together, testified in support of the bill. Mr.
Rodger Steen, representing Western Colorado Alliance, testified in support
of the bill. Quinn Antus, representing Signal Tech Coalition, testified
in support of the bill. Chandra  Rosenthal, representing Public Employees
for Environmental Responsibility, testified in support of the bill. Karen
Artell, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
08:27:09 PM  
The panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.
08:27:25 PM  
Tom Peterson, representing
Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association, testified in opposition to the bill.
Mrs. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified in opposition to the
bill. Keith Segura, representing themself, testified in opposition to the
bill. Mrs. Antoinette Starner, representing themself, testified in opposition
to the bill. Mr. Brad Tidd, representing themself, testified in opposition
to the bill.
08:41:15 PM  
Ms. Kirsten Schatz, representing Colorado Public Interest Research Group, testified in support of the bill. Sharon Compton, representing themself, testified in a neutral position on the bill. Dr. Lois Vanderkooi, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Katherine Merlin, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
08:51:13 PM  
The committee asked the panel questions.
08:51:24 PM  
Ms. Michelle Fawver,
representing themself, testified to amend the bill. Commissioner Kevin
Ross, representing Weld County, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs.
Merrily Tohill, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
Tim Regan-Porter, representing Colorado Press Association, testified to
amend the bill. Mr. Michael Tucker, representing themself, testified in
opposition to the bill. Mrs. Janet Weipert, representing themself, testified
in opposition to the bill. Kenneth Stoy, representing themself, testified
in opposition to the bill.
09:14:59 PM  
Brian Juge, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Rich Werner, representing
Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance - Upstate Colorado Economic Development,
testified in opposition to the bill.

Additional written
testimny is included as Attachments L.1-L.5.
09:21:25 PM  
The committee asked
questions on amendment L.001 (Attachment J).


09:23:20 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Willford
Seconded Weissman
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
09:23:39 PM  
The sponsors gave closing comments on the bill.
09:38:09 PM  
The committee gave closing comments on the bill.


09:48:43 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 23-1294, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Willford
Seconded Froelich
DeGraaf No
Dickson Yes
Evans No
Froelich Yes
Valdez Yes
Velasco Yes
Vigil Yes
Weissman Yes
Winter T. No
Willford Yes
Kipp Yes
Final YES: 8   NO: 3   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB23-1281 - Amended, referred to House Finance

09:48:50 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
09:55:41 PM  
The committee came back to order.
09:56:18 PM  
Co-sponsors of the
bill, Representatives Titone and Vigil, gave an overview of House Bill
23-1281 Advance the Use of Clean Hydrogen. The bill creates a state approval
process for clean hydrogen projects and a refundable income tax credit
for using clean hydrogen.
10:12:49 PM  
John Magnino, representing
Conservation Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Patricia Garcia-Nelson,
representing GreenLatinos, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Justin
Brant, representing Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, testified in opposition
to the bill. Ms. Kari Burman, representing Sierra Club Legislative Committee,
testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Alex DeGolia, representing Environmental
Defense Fund, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Gwen Farnsworth,
representing Western Resource Advocates, testified in opposition to the
bill. Rebecca Curry, representing Earthjustice, testified in opposition
to the bill.
10:29:31 PM  
Jacob Smith, representing
Colorado Communities for Climate Action, testified to amend the bill. Ms.
Leslie Glustrom, representing Clean Energy Action, testified to amend the
bill. Mr. Rick Clark, representing NextEra Energy Resources, testified
to amend the bill.
10:35:36 PM  
Ms. Jan Rose, representing
Colorado Coaltion for a Livable Climate, testified to amend the bill. Alana
Miller, representing Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), testified
to amend the bill.
10:40:56 PM  
Director Will Toor,
representing Colorado Energy Office, testified in support of the bill.
Keith Hay, representing Colorado Energy Office, was available to answer
committee questions. Bill Green, representing American Council of Engineering
Companies of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written
testimony is included as Attachment M.
10:46:24 PM  
The panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.
10:50:22 PM  
The sponsors introduced
and gave an overview of amendment L.001 (Attachment N).


10:56:01 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Vigil
Seconded Willford
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
10:56:52 PM  
The sponsors introduced
and gave an overview of amendment L.003 (Attachment O).
10:56:58 PM  
The committee asked
questions on amendment L.003.


10:58:43 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.003
Moved Vigil
Seconded Willford
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
10:58:59 PM  
The sponsors introduced
and gave an overview of amendment L.004 (Attachment P).


11:00:12 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.004
Moved Vigil
Seconded Willford
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
11:00:13 PM  
The sponsors introduced
and gave an overview of amendment L.006 (Attachment Q).


11:01:35 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.006
Moved Vigil
Seconded Dickson
DeGraaf
Dickson
Evans
Froelich
Valdez
Velasco
Vigil
Weissman
Winter T.
Willford
Kipp
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
11:01:36 PM  
11:03:27 PM  
The sponsors gave closing comments on the bill.
11:06:03 PM  
The committee gave closing comments on the bill.


11:11:07 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 23-1281, as amended, to the Committee on Finance.
Moved Vigil
Seconded Willford
DeGraaf No
Dickson Yes
Evans No
Froelich Yes
Valdez Yes
Velasco Yes
Vigil Yes
Weissman Yes
Winter T. Yes
Willford Yes
Kipp Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


11:11:51 PM   The committee adjourned.