Date: 02/18/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1118

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Postpone House Bill 15-1118 indefinitely. The moti
Refer House Bill 15-1118 to the Committee of the W		PASS
FAIL



12:34 PM -- HB15-1118

The committee took a brief recess.


12:37 PM

The committee returned to order. Representative Brown, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1118. This bill amends the definition of renewable energy resources that can be used to meet the state's renewable energy standard (RES) to include hydroelectricity and pumped hydroelectricity. The bill repeals the allowance in current law for new hydroelectricity with a generation capacity of 10 megawatts (MW) or less, and hydroelectricity in existence on January 1, 2005, with a generation capacity of 30 MW or less.


12:46 PM

Representative Brown spoke about the benefits of hydropower and responded to questions from the committee.

12:52 PM -- Jen Boulton, representing Colorado Trout Unlimited and the Audubon Society in Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Boulton discussed hydroelectric power generation and its environmental ramifications. She responded to questions from the committee about the current RES rules.

01:03 PM -- Ted Orf, representing the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Orf stated that he supports the bill because he believes it will lower electricity costs on the Western Slope. He responded to questions from the committee.

01:09 PM -- Frank Swain, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Swain spoke about the success of the renewable energy economy in recent years. He discussed the current RES and what is included in the standard. He responded to questions about the committee.

01:14 PM -- Geoff Hier, representing the Colorado Rural Electric Association, testified from a neutral position on the bill. Mr. Hier responded to questions from the committee.


01:19 PM

Representative Brown wrapped up his presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB15-1118
TIME: 01:21:58 PM
MOVED:Thurlow
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1118 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 5-6.
SECONDED:Willett
VOTE
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
No
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
No
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
No
Willett
Yes
Salazar
No
Ryden
No
YES: 5 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HB15-1118
TIME: 01:22:50 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1118 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 6-5.
SECONDED:Tyler
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
No
Thurlow
No
Tyler
Yes
Willett
No
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



01:23 PM

The committee adjourned.