Bill Summary for Bill Number HB12-1160

Date: 02/13/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1160

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment F). The motion p Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment G). The motion f Moved to refer House Bill 12-1160, as amended, to	Pass Without Objection FAIL PASS

02:40 PM -- House Bill 12-1160

Representative Baumgardner, sponsor, presented House Bill 12-1160, which adds methane gas captured from active or inactive coal mines to the list of eligible energy resources for the purposes of compliance with the state's renewable energy standard.

The following individuals testified on the bill:

02:44 PM -- Vicky Mandell, Western Resource Advocates, spoke in opposition to the bill and discussed global warming and the purpose of the state's renewable energy standard.

02:56 PM -- Tom Vessels, Vessels Coal Gas, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a presentation (Attachment D). Mr. Vessels answered questions from the committee.

03:21 PM -- Geoffrey Hier, Colorado Rural Electric Association, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the job creation and energy security benefits of the bill. Mr. Hier answered questions from the committee.

03:30 PM -- Brad Robenson, Gunnison Energy Corporation, spoke in support of the bill and discussed projects that the corporation may develop if methane were to count as a eligible energy resource for the state's renewable energy standard.

03:37 PM -- Julian Huzyk, North Fork Energy, spoke in support of the bill and discussed projects in Pennsylvania where methane from coal mines is classified as renewable.

03:39 PM -- Randy Udall, Holy Cross Energy, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the economic benefits of the bill.

03:46 PM -- Michael Huisenga, North Fork Energy, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a presentation (Attachment E) and answered questions from the committee concerning the amount of methane emitted from abandoned mines in the state.

03:57 PM -- Chad Isaacs, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill and explained that the chemical structure of methane emitted from a coal mine has the same chemical structure as methane emitted from biomass.

03:59 PM -- Eric Drummend, representing Vessels Coal Gas, spoke in support of the bill and discussed where in statute the definition of methane should be located.

04:01 PM -- Nancy Hovde, Delta-Montrose Electric Association, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the current limitations for using methane under existing law.

04:06 PM -- Tony Prendergast, Delta-Montrose Electric Association, spoke in support of the bill explained that they have three coal mines in their service area and discussed how the bill would benefit the electric association. Mr. Prendergast answered questions from the committee.

04:10 PM -- Dianna Orf, Colorado Mining Association, spoke in support of the bill and explained that methane has been a qualifying renewable energy source for several years.


BILL:	HB12-1160
TIME:	04:12:55 PM
MOVED:	Baumgardner
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Coram
		VOTE
	Brown
	Coram
	Fischer
	Jones
	Looper
	McKinley
	Ryden
	Scott
	Vaad
	Vigil
	Wilson
	Baumgardner
	Sonnenberg

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB12-1160
TIME:	04:14:10 PM
MOVED:	Fischer
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment G). The motion failed on a vote of 5-7.
SECONDED:	Ryden
		VOTE
	Brown	No
	Coram	No
	Fischer	Yes
	Jones	Yes
	Looper	No
	McKinley	Excused
	Ryden	Yes
	Scott	No
	Vaad	No
	Vigil	Yes
	Wilson	Yes
	Baumgardner	No
	Sonnenberg	No

YES: 5 NO: 7 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	HB12-1160
TIME:	04:20:30 PM
MOVED:	Baumgardner
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 12-1160, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 10-2.
SECONDED:	Coram
		VOTE
	Brown	Yes
	Coram	Yes
	Fischer	Yes
	Jones	No
	Looper	Yes
	McKinley	Excused
	Ryden	No
	Scott	Yes
	Vaad	Yes
	Vigil	Yes
	Wilson	Yes
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Sonnenberg	Yes

Final YES: 10 NO: 2 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:26 PM

The committee adjourned.