SENATE
                         Amended Final Rdg.
                      April 29, 2015First Regular Session
               Seventieth General Assembly
                    STATE OF COLORADO
                                                  ENGROSSED
                                                           
                                                           
 LLS NO. R15-1062.01 Kurt Woock x4349             SJR15-021
                   SENATE SPONSORSHIP
 Baumgardner and Sonnenberg, Scott
 
                    HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
 Vigil and Coram, Brown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Senate Committees
 House Committees
 
 
 Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Energy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                  SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 15-021 
       Concerning the recognition of the importance of coal to the
            Colorado economy.
       
       
            WHEREAS, Maintaining affordable, reliable, and diverse sources
       of fuel for the production of electricity is vital to Colorado's economic
       growth, jobs, and the well-being of its citizens; and
       
            WHEREAS, Coal is an integral component of the state's electricity
       generation portfolio, currently providing sixty-four percent of Colorado's
       electricity; and
       
            WHEREAS, Colorado coal is of superior quality and is highly
       sought, qualifying as "super compliance" coal as defined in the "Energy
       Policy Act of 2005"; and
       
            WHEREAS, Colorado coal producers have won national and state
       awards for reclamation of mined lands for uses such as wildlife habitat
       and livestock grazing; and
       
            WHEREAS, Emissions from coal have fallen by ninety percent
       nationwide during the past forty years while its use in electricity
       generation has more than doubled; and
       
            WHEREAS, The use of coal in the production of electricity has
       been a major factor of Colorado's average electricity price being
       consistently below the national average; and
       
            WHEREAS, The citizens of Colorado have benefitted from
       coal-fired electrical generation in the form of affordable electricity prices
       and a reliable electricity grid; and
       
            WHEREAS, Affordable and reliable electricity is critical in
       attracting new businesses, such as high-tech companies, to Colorado; and
       
            WHEREAS, Colorado's economy benefits from a vibrant, in-state
       coal industry that creates over twenty-one thousand direct and indirect
       jobs in Colorado and contributes over $2.6 billion to Colorado's GDP;
       and
       
            WHEREAS, The total payroll and benefits paid by Colorado coal
       producers is over $238 million, and the average labor income in
       Colorado's coal industry is fifty percent higher than the average labor
       income for all industries in the state; and
       
            WHEREAS, Colorado's coal producers have paid royalties
       exceeding $500 million to the federal government since 2003 and have
       paid tens of millions more in taxes and royalties to the state, portions of
       which are used to support public education and other critical government
       functions; and
       
            WHEREAS, Colorado ranks fourth among states in federal coal
       royalty payments, based on 2014 data; and 
       
            WHEREAS, Regulatory uncertainty in state and federal policies
       can affect Colorado coal production, which can result in job losses in
       rural communities and lost revenues to all levels of government; and
       
            WHEREAS, Colorado citizens in every region of the state benefit
       directly and indirectly from the jobs and revenues associated with coal
       production, transportation, and electricity generation; now, therefore,
       
            Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventieth General Assembly
       of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:
       
            That we, the General Assembly:
       
            (1)  Recognize and appreciate the important contribution the coal
       mining industry makes to the economic health of Colorado;
       
            (2)  Recognize and appreciate the key role coal production plays
       in providing an affordable and reliable electricity supply to the people of
       Colorado;
       
            (3)  Commend those Colorado electric utility companies that
       diversify their power sources to include affordable and reliable coal;
       
            (4)  Urge state agencies and local governments to adopt policies
       that avoid unnecessary and unreasonable barriers to the utilization of coal
       as a reliable power source;
       
            (5)  Urge government agencies on all levels to address the specific
       concerns of economically distressed areas.
       
            (6)  Urge the executive branch of our state government to ensure
       the vitality of Colorado's coal industry in the future; and
       
            (7)  Urge and request the executive and legislative branches of the
       federal government to adopt policies that preserve and enhance the
       diversity of resources used in the production of electricity, including coal,
       to ensure our continued national and economic security.