s_sa_2017a_2017-05-03t13:38:55z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 05/03/2017

Location: SCR 357

04:11 PM -- HB17-1339



Senator Jones and Senator Kerr, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 17-1339 to the committee. Under the bill, an investor-owned utility (e.g. Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy) may apply to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for a financing order authorizing it to issue securitized utility ratepayer-backed bonds when closing a power plant. These Colorado Energy Impact Assistance (CO-EIA) bond proceeds are to be used by the utility to purchase, build, or invest in least-cost electric generating resources and to provide transition assistance to workers and communities affected by the plant closure. Bonds are to be repaid through a distinct and nonbypassable CO-EIA charge on ratepayers that must be used solely to repay the bonds within 32 years after issue date.



04:19 PM -- Thomas Herrod, representing the City and County of Denver, testified in support of the bill.



04:21 PM -- Harriet Moyer Aptokar, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She provided additional written testimony to committee members (Attachment E).



17SenateState0503AttachE.pdf



04:25 PM -- Richard Orf, representing the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified against the bill.



04:28 PM -- Ron Larson, representing the Colorado Renewable Energy Society, testified in support of the bill and provided a handout to committee members (Attachment F).



17SenateState0503AttachF.pdf



04:31 PM -- Mark Ruzzin, representing Boulder County and Colorado Communities for Climate Action, testified in support of the bill.



04:34 PM -- Zach Pierce, representing the Sierra Club and the Interwest Energy Alliance, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Pierce responded to questions from the committee.



04:40 PM -- Dianna Orf, representing the Colorado Mining Association, testified against the bill.



04:43 PM -- Gerald Arnold, representing Pipefitters Local 208, testified in support of the bill.



04:45 PM -- Phil Hayes, representing the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), testified in support of the bill.



04:46 PM -- Nick Calvert, representing IBEW 111, testified in support of the bill.



04:48 PM -- Theresa Conley, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



04:50 PM -- Justin Wilson, representing the Colorado Solar Energy Industry Association, testified in support of the bill.





04:53 PM



Senators Jones and Kerr wrapped up their presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.