Date: 04/23/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB14-011

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.007 (Attachment A). The motion p
Refer Senate Bill 14-011, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS



02:03 PM -- SB14-011

Representative Tyler, chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was present. Representative Hullinghorst, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 14-011. The bill changes the name of the Colorado Renewable Research Authority to the Colorado Energy Research Authority (CERA). The bill creates a new cash fund to support CERA, the continuously appropriated Energy Research Cash Fund (ERCF). Starting July 1, 2014, and on July 1 for the four subsequent fiscal years, the bill requires an annual transfer of $2 million to the ERCF. This amount in its entirety is available as matching funds for the energy-related research of the collaboratory, subject to reduction for Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) administration and other CERA activities. Based on a $2 million annual transfer, up to $100,000 each year is available for other CERA initiatives, and up to $100,000 each year is available for OEDIT administrative costs. The bill defines the Colorado Energy Research Collaboratory as a consortium of three state institutions of higher education—the University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado State University, and the Colorado School of Mines—and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). CERA is required to allocate certain state matching funds for grants that support the collaboratory's energy research activities. The board of CERA is three members appointed by the governor. The OEDIT will provide administrative support for CERA, including receiving CERA's annual report and making a report on CERA's activities to the General Assembly. Representative Hullinghorst discussed the intent of the bill and commented on collaboratory activities. She responded to questions from the committee.

The following person testified on the bill:

02:08 PM -- David Hiller, representing CERA, testified in support of the bill. He commented on the primary goals of the CERA and the importance of the bill. Representative Mitsch Bush asked for information about marketable service products. Representative Ginal asked what industries sponsor the research. Mr. Hiller commented on research sponsored through the collaboratory and said that the largest funding partner to date was Conoco Philips. Representative Kraft-Tharp asked about outcomes in terms of what research has been produced. Mr. Hiller commented on 2012 publications that came out of the collaboratory and related findings and research. Representative Coram asked how much research has been done on vanadium batteries. Representative Lawrence commented on her tour of NREL in 2013 and asked why state funding is necessary if private companies will pay to rent space. Discussion ensued concerning the need for state funding.

02:29 PM

Representative Kraft-Tharp commented on current law related to reporting by CERA and asked if there is an annual report that CERA could share with the committee. Mr. Hiller said that CERA files annual reports each year and that he can provide the committee with last year's report. Representative Scott asked about companies that have come to Colorado because of the work that CERA does. Mr. Hiller commented on Cool Planet Energy Systems, a company that moved here for and because of the collaboratory. Discussion ensued concerning reporting requirements of the CERA to the General Assembly.

140423AttachA.pdf140423AttachA.pdf
BILL:SB14-011
TIME: 02:40:26 PM
MOVED:Mitsch Bush
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.007 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Peniston
VOTE
Buck
Coram
Everett
Fischer
Ginal
Kraft-Tharp
Lawrence
Lee
Mitsch Bush
Peniston
Scott
Moreno
Tyler
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:SB14-011
TIME: 02:45:53 PM
MOVED:Mitsch Bush
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 14-011, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 9-4.
SECONDED:Peniston
VOTE
Buck
No
Coram
Yes
Everett
No
Fischer
Yes
Ginal
Yes
Kraft-Tharp
Yes
Lawrence
No
Lee
Yes
Mitsch Bush
Yes
Peniston
Yes
Scott
No
Moreno
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS