S_AGR_2016A 02/11/2016 01:31:00 PM Committee Summary

01:32 PM -- SB 16-007



Senator Roberts. sponsor, described the provisions of Senate Bill 16-007 concerning biomass renewable energy and wildfire high risk areas. She also distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment A) concerning biochar and distributed a letter of support for the bill from Dan Casey, President, Colorado Timber Industry Association (Attachment B). Current law requires Colorado retail electric service providers to generate, or cause to be generated, a specified portion of its sales from eligible energy resources, including renewable energy resources. One of the eligible energy resources is biomass. For a period of up to 30 years, this bill specifies that each kilowatt-hour of electricity generated from a biomass source using forest materials taken from areas with a high risk of wildfire will count as 3 kilowatt-hours for purposes of complying with the renewable energy standard (RES).



160211 AttachA.pdf 160211 AttachB.pdf



The following persons testified on the bill:



01:37 PM -- Becky Long, Conservation Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the effect of renewable energy multipliers on renewable energy generation and compliance with the state RES. She also responded to questions for the committee about her organization's support for SB 13-252 that included a multiplier for certain types of renewable energy generation.



01:40 PM -- Lauren Meillon, Colorado Renewable Energy Society, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the benefits of biochar on soil health and carbon sequestration.













01:46 PM -- J.R. Ford, Pagosa Land Company, spoke in support of the bill and discussed a proposed biomass facility he is seeking to build in Archuletta County in Southwest Colorado (Attachment C). He also responded to questions from the committee about the type of trees that are used in biomass facilities and potential customers for his biomass facility's electric power.



160211 AttachC.pdf



01:55 PM -- Ron Larson, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a fact sheet on biochar (Attachment D). He also discussed the benefits of biochar on soil health, carbon sequestration, and energy reliability.



160211 AttachD.pdf



02:01 PM -- Paul Cooke, Director, Division of Fire Prevention and Control in the Department of Public Safety, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the growing threat of wildland fires in Colorado.



02:04 PM -- Chris Treese, Colorado River Water Conservation District, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the role of forest health on the quality of Colorado rivers and streams.



02:06 PM -- Dr. John Field, representing himself, explained that he is neutral on the bill and discussed research on bio-energy production and related benefits.



The following person testified remotely on the bill:



02:11 PM -- Bruce Whitehead, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill and discussed efforts to promote biomass as a means of managing forest health and protecting watersheds.





02:14 PM



The chair closed testimony and Senator Roberts closed her remarks on the bill. She also responded to questions from the committee about Amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

02:18 PM -- SJM 16-001



Senator Roberts, sponsor, discussed the provisions of Senate Joint Memorial 16-001 concerning Good Samaritan remediation of abandoned mines and distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The memorial, recommended by the interim Water Resources Review Committee, urges Congress to pass legislation establishing a Good Samaritan exemption from liability under the Clean Water Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.



160211 AttachE.pdf



The following persons testified remotely on the memorial:



02:22 PM -- Peter Butler, Animas River Stakeholders Group, spoke in support of the memorial and Amendment L.001. He also discussed the impact of mine drainage on streams and rivers in southwest Colorado.



02:23 PM -- Liane Jollon, Executive Director, San Juan Basin Health, discussed the role of her organization in protecting public health and spoke in support of the memorial.



02:27 PM -- Tom Schillaci, representing himself, spoke in support of the memorial and identified potential projects that may benefit from Good Samaritan liability protections.



02:30 PM -- Bruce Whitehead, Southwestern Water Conservation District, Colorado Water Congress, spoke in support of the memorial and Amendment L.001. He also discussed the impact of the Gold King Mine spill on the Animas River and communities that rely on this resource.



The following persons testified in person on the memorial:



02:36 PM -- Dianna Orf, Colorado Mining Association, spoke in support of the memorial and discussed how regulation of mining has changed from historic mining practices.



02:39 PM -- David Nickum, Colorado Trout Unlimited, spoke in support of the memorial and discussed abandoned mine cleanup projects his organization has helped conduct.



02:41 PM -- Becky Long, Conservation Colorado, spoke in support of the memorial and Amendment L.001.



02:43 PM -- Chris Treese, Colorado River Water Conservation District, spoke in support of the memorial and discussed draft federal legislation concerning Good Samaritan liability protections.



02:45 PM -- Ginny Brannon, Director, Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, spoke in support of the memorial. She also identified mine remediation projects that can occur without the need for Good Samaritan liability protections.





02:47 PM



The chair closed testimony on the bill.

02:50 PM



The committee adjourned.