NOTE:  This bill has been prepared for the signature of the appropriate legislative
officers and the Governor.  To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
      history, or the Session Laws.
      
      
      HOUSE BILL 09-1345
      
      
      BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Solano, Casso, Fischer, Labuda, Primavera,
      Schafer S., Todd;
      also SENATOR(S) Schwartz, Carroll M., Hodge, Kester, Newell, Penry,
      Shaffer B., Williams.
      
      
      Concerning integrated planning for the construction of electric
           transmission facilities in Colorado, and, in connection
           therewith, directing the public utilities commission to
           collect information from owners and operators of
           transmission infrastructure and report its findings to the
           general assembly.
       
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  Legislative declaration.  The general assembly finds,
      determines, and declares that coordinated and integrated planning of the
      construction of electric transmission lines is critical to the development of
      Colorado's vast renewable energy resources and to the improvement of the
      Western regional power grid, benefiting all Coloradans.  Further, the state's
      long-term economic viability depends upon continuing improvements in the
      efficiency of state and regional energy markets.  The general assembly
      therefore finds that the public utilities commission should confer with all
      owners and operators of transmission facilities in Colorado and with
      affected stakeholders and report to the general assembly on the integrated
      intermediate-term and long-term plans for improving transmission
      infrastructure in Colorado and the region.
      
           SECTION 2.  Article 4 of title 40, Colorado Revised Statutes, is
      amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:
      
           40-4-117.  Integrated transmission facility planning - review by
      commission - report - repeal.  (1)  On or before July 1, 2010, the
      commission shall report to the general assembly on the
      integrated transmission plans of owners and operators of
      transmission facilities in Colorado.
      
           (2)  The commission's report shall address:
      
           (a)  The adequacy of the integrated transmission plan;
      
           (b)  Whether the integrated transmission plan is
      appropriately coordinated with transmission plans of other
      states and transmission operators in the region; and
      
           (c)  Whether future legislative action is required to ensure
      continued progress with respect to the transmission system in
      Colorado.
      
           (3)  In preparing its report, the commission shall:
      
           (a)  Rely upon any existing or pending transmission plans
      that are scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2009, rather
      than requiring the preparation of new plans as a substitute for
      such existing or pending plans;
      
           (b)  Conduct hearings and convene workshops as it deems
      necessary to compile and integrate such transmission planning
      information;
      
           (c)  Seek input from a broad group of stakeholders,
      including investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, cooperative
      electric associations, including generation and transmission
      associations, federal transmission providers, independent
      transmission owners, independent energy providers, renewable
      energy developers, large electric consumers, representatives of
      local government, environmental advocates, and consumer
      representatives; and
      
           (d)  Confer with appropriate federal agencies and with other
      state utility regulators in the region.
      
           (4)  On or before November 1, 2009, the commission shall
      report to the general assembly on its progress in preparing the
      report and shall identify any impediments to the completion of the
      report.
      
           (5)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or
      expand the commission's existing authority concerning the
      regulation of transmission facilities.
      
           (6)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2011.
      
           SECTION 3.  Safety clause.  The general assembly hereby finds,
      determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
      preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.
      
      
      
      
      ________________________________________________________
      Terrance D. Carroll                Brandon C. Shaffer
      SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                     PRESIDENT OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Marilyn Eddins                          Karen Goldman
      CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                 SECRETARY OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    Bill Ritter, Jr.
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO