Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, & ENERGY

Date:04/08/2015
ATTENDANCE
Time:10:08 AM to 11:32 AM
Baumgardner
X
Cooke
X
Place:SCR 356
Donovan
X
Garcia
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Hodge
X
Senator Sonnenberg
Jones
X
Scott
*
This Report was prepared by
Roberts
X
David Beaujon
Sonnenberg
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
SJR15-021Senate final action, as amended

10:08 AM -- SJR 15-021

Senator Sonnenberg and Senator Baumgardner, co-sponsors, described the provisions of Senate Joint Resolution 15-021 concerning Colorado coal and discussed the economic benefits of coal production and electric generation in Colorado.

The following person testified in person on the resolution:

10:13 AM -- Stuart Sanderson, Colorado Mining Association, spoke in support of the resolution and discussed the economic benefits of coal production and electric generation in Colorado. He also discussed challenges affecting the coal industry in Colorado and responded to questions from the committee about coal reserves in Colorado, national and international markets for Colorado coal, active coal mines in Colorado, and other issues.

The following persons testified by remote testimony from Colorado Mesa University on the resolution:

10:27 AM -- Bonnie Peterson, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, spoke in support of the resolution and identified coal mines and coal fired power plants in northwest Colorado. She also discussed the findings of a report on the economic benefits of the Coal Industry and Electric Power Generation Industry in the Yampa-White River Region of Northwest Colorado. This report was commissioned by Rio Blaco County, the Craig/Moffat Economic Development Partnership and the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association. It was distributed by Diana Orf, Colorado Mining Association (Attachment A).

150408 AttachA.pdf150408 AttachA.pdf

10:37 AM -- Mark Roeber, Delta County, explained that he is a Delta County Commissioner and spoke in support of the resolution. He also identified coal mines in or near Delta County and the economic benefits of coal production and electric generation to Delta County.



10:42 AM -- Erik Groves, TK Mining Services, spoke in support of the resolution and discussed the duties, background, and wages of Colorado miners. He also discussed the impacts on Colorado mining communities affected by mine shutdowns or reduced coal production.

The following person testified on the resolution in person:

10:47 AM -- Jeremy Kinder, representing himself, spoke in support of the resolution and discussed his job in the coal mining industry and the benefits of being employed in the Coal mining industry. He also responded to questions from the committee about the impacts of mine shutdowns and reduced coal production on Colorado mining communities.

10:52 AM -- Ron Zumwalt, representing himself, spoke in support of the resolution and discussed his job in the coal mining industry and the benefits of being employed in the Coal mining industry. He also discussed the economic benefits from Colorado's coal industry to neighboring states and states that manufacture coal mining equipment.

10:56 AM -- Michael Medina, representing himself, spoke in support of the resolution and discussed his job in the coal mining industry and the benefits of being employed in the industry.

11:00 AM -- Diana Orf, Colorado Mining Association, spoke in support of the resolution and discussed the finding of a report on the economic benefits of the Coal Industry and Electric Power Generation Industry in the Yampa-White River Region of Northwest Colorado (Attachment A). She also distributed a letter of support for the resolution from the Moffat County Board of County Commissioners (Attachment B).

150408 AttachB.pdf150408 AttachB.pdf

11:03 AM -- Daniel Owens, representing himself, spoke in support of the resolution and discussed his job in the Trapper Coal Mine and the benefits of being employed in the industry.

11:05 AM -- Timio Archuleta, Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 111, spoke in support of the resolution and discussed his job in the Trapper Coal Mine and the benefits of being employed in the coal mining industry. He also expressed concern about potential impact of proposed environmental regulations on the coal mining industry and persons that rely on cheap electricity. He also responded to questions from the committee about coal fired power plants in Colorado.


11:14 AM

Testimony was closed and Senator Baumgardner closed his remarks on the resolution.
BILL:SJR15-021
TIME: 11:17:20 AM
MOVED:Jones
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment C). The motion failed on a vote of 3-5.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Baumgardner
No
Cooke
No
Donovan
No
Garcia
Yes
Hodge
Excused
Jones
Yes
Scott
Yes
Roberts
No
Sonnenberg
No
YES: 3 NO: 5 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

150408 AttachC.pdf150408 AttachC.pdf
BILL:SJR15-021
TIME: 11:20:20 AM
MOVED:Jones
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment D). The motion failed on a vote of 2-5.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Baumgardner
No
Cooke
No
Donovan
No
Garcia
Yes
Hodge
Excused
Jones
Yes
Scott
Excused
Roberts
No
Sonnenberg
No
YES: 2 NO: 5 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

150408 AttachD.pdf150408 AttachD.pdf

BILL:SJR15-021
TIME: 11:24:11 AM
MOVED:Donovan
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment E). The motion passed on a vote of 7-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Baumgardner
Yes
Cooke
Yes
Donovan
Yes
Garcia
Yes
Hodge
Excused
Jones
Yes
Scott
Excused
Roberts
Yes
Sonnenberg
Yes
YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

150408 AttachE.pdf150408 AttachE.pdf


11:27 AM

Committee discussion on the resolution followed.
BILL:SJR15-021
TIME: 11:28:45 AM
MOVED:Baumgardner
MOTION:Refer SJR15-021 to the full Senate, as amended. The motion passed on a vote of 7-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Baumgardner
Yes
Cooke
Yes
Donovan
Yes
Garcia
Yes
Hodge
Yes
Jones
No
Scott
Excused
Roberts
Yes
Sonnenberg
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:32 AM

The committee adjourned.