SE_SCEE_2017A 01/19/2017 10:29:17 AM Committee Summary

10:29 AM -- Statement from the Chair regarding the committee



Senator Scott gave a statement regarding the Select Committee's charge and responsibilities. Senator Scott explained what the role of the committee will be and explained that the committee will be a forum of education on issues relating to energy and the environment.



10:35 AM -- Presentation of Resource Rich Colorado Report



Brian Payer, Co-Chair, Resource Rich Colorado Committee (RRCC) and Program Manager of Strategic Operations, Sphera, introduced himself to the committee and gave a brief background of his experience and the Resource Rich Colorado Report (Attachment A). Mr. Payer explained that the RRCC does not take any policy stances and seeks to present data collected from multiple sources.



https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/17ag_resource-rich-colorado-8th-edition.pdf (Attachment A)



Mr. Payer discussed the oil sector, as it relates to the Resource Rich Colorado Report. Mr. Payer explained that Colorado is number seven in oil production in the nation and discussed oil infrastructure and global oil production. He explained that oil production in the United States has grown significantly in the last four years.





10:43 AM



Mr. Payer discussed natural gas production in the United States and explained several charts and figures that can be found in the report. Overall natural gas production in the nation has increased, making the United States a top producer globally. Mr. Payer also discussed coal production and explained several charts and figures that can be found in the report. He explained that coal production is steadily declining and has a negative growth rate overall. Globally, China is the largest producer of coal, with the United States second. Mr. Payer continued his presentation with new technology in the energy sector, including wind and solar. He explained that Colorado is a large producer of wind and solar, ranking in the top ten nationally in wind and solar production. Mr. Payer explained that China has the largest renewable energy total and is still growing quickly.



10:50 AM



Mr. Payer discussed total energy storage, and explained that energy storage is becoming an increasingly important issue. He further discussed advances in clean technology as it relates to renewable energy, including metro mobility of the Denver Metro area. He explained that Denver is still heavily reliant on cars, as opposed to other large metropolises, such as New York City, where over half of the residents use another form of transportation. Mr. Payer continued his presentation with overall energy generation in the nation, noting that coal and oil are a declining source of energy. Mr. Payer discussed the cost of the various technologies in producing energy, and he explained that natural gas and wind energy are generally cost efficient sources of energy. He also discussed average residential summer retail electric prices, explaining that Colorado is average in terms of cost.



11:02 AM



Mr. Payer discussed global carbon dioxide emissions, noting that China overall has the most total emission per capita, with the United States is the second largest emitter overall of carbon dioxide. Mr. Payer explained that although the United States is overall the highest emitter per capita, that rate continues to decline.



11:04 AM



Mr. Payer discussed data surrounding policies and programs. He explained that Colorado is below the average in gasoline tax and discussed Colorado water utilization. He explained that agriculture is the main user of water in the state, with energy development and hydraulic fracturing using a small amount of water. He discussed the number of employees in the fossil fuel industry over the last four years, and he explained that employment in that sector has decreased. He also stated that Colorado ranks fourth overall in the nation in employing people in clean technology sectors and the economic impact of the fossil fuel and clean technology sectors.



11:10 AM



Mr. Payer responded to questions from the committee regarding the collection of data of emissions from other pollutants and explained that for the purpose of the Resource Rich Colorado Report, the data was focused on carbon emissions. Mr. Payer responded to further questions from the committee concerning the future of coal production.



11:21 AM -- Public Testimony



11:2 AM -- Peter Sawtell, Reverend of the United Church of Christ, introduced himself to the committee and discussed the issue of climate change. He described climate change has being a moral issue and discussed the church's view on the issue of climate change.













11:28 AM -- Prof. Scott Denning, Monfort Professor of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, introduced himself to the committee and discussed carbon dioxide emissions and how those emissions relate to global warming and the decrease of snowpack in the state. He also discussed his thoughts on the importance of developing clean energy. Professor Denning responded to questions from the committee.



11:38 AM -- Lindsay Burgoine, Manager, Advocacy and Campaigns for Protect our Winters, introduced herself to the committee and discussed the ski industry's view on climate change and how a warmer climate impacts the industry and mountain communities in the state. Ms. Burgoine responded to questions from the committee.



11:44 AM -- Tony Williams, former Military Environmental Engineer and Program Manager, Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy and Projects for Special Operations, introduced himself to the committee. Mr. Williams distributed a presentation entitled Clean Jobs Colorado (Attachment B). He discussed the Department of Defense's stance on climate change and actions the department is taking to increase its use of renewable energy. Mr. Williams responded to questions from the committee regarding the amount of jobs in the clean energy industry and the retraining of people who work in the coal industry.



170119 AttachB.pdf



11:55 AM -- Dawn Mullally, Director, Air Quality and Transportation at the American Lung Association, introduced herself to the committee and discussed the public health effects of air pollution.



12:00 PM -- Erin Overturf, Chief Energy Counsel, Western Resource Advocates, introduced herself to the committee and discussed renewable energy sources in Colorado and the cost effectiveness of those resources. She also discussed possible impacts of climate change. Ms. Overturf responded to questions from the committee regarding the cost of renewable energy and utility regulation.



12:06 PM



Committee discussion ensued.



12:14 PM



The committee adjourned.