NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 5/29/2015.
      
      
      HOUSE BILL 15-1364
      
      
      BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Coram and Mitsch Bush, Becker K., Hamner;
      also SENATOR(S) Sonnenberg and Donovan, Roberts.
      
      
      Concerning a limitation on the scope of an inspection of a small
           hydroelectric energy facility conducted by the state
           electrical board.
       
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-23-104, amend (2)
      (f); and add (2) (f.3) as follows:
      
           12-23-104.  Board powers and duties - rules. (2)  In addition to all
      other powers and duties conferred or imposed upon the board by this
      article, the board is authorized to:
      
           (f)  Inspect and approve or disapprove the installation of electrical
      wiring, renewable energy systems, apparatus, or equipment for electric
      light, heat, and power according to the minimum standards in the national
      electrical code or as prescribed in this article. With respect to: a
      
           (I)  An inverter-based hydroelectric energy facility generating
      one hundred kilowatts or less, regardless of whether the
      facility is connected to utility or other distribution lines, an
      inspector shall inspect the installation of a hydroelectric energy
      turbine-generator to power-inverter equipment train, supporting electrical
      wiring and cabling, or other auxiliary apparatuses or equipment needed to
      produce electrical heat, light, or power installation in accordance with
      
           (I)  the minimum standards set forth in the 2011 edition of the
      National Electrical Code in effect on the effective date of this
      paragraph (f), as amended; for small wind electrical production until the
      adoption of the 2017 national electrical code; or however, if a
      microhydro assembly manufactured for the purpose of
      generating electricity in a microhydro system uses an inverter
      that is listed and identified for interconnection service, the
      inspector shall deem the system's equipment compliant with
      section 705.4 of the edition of the National Electrical Code in
      effect on the effective date of this paragraph (f), as amended. For
      purposes of this paragraph (f), a "microhydro system" means a
      hydroelectric generation system that generates one hundred
      kilowatts or less.
      
           (II)  If the National Electrical Code is updated to address
      hydroelectric energy specifically, the hydroelectric energy provisions of the
      updated national electrical code An induction-based hydroelectric
      energy facility generating one hundred kilowatts or less,
      regardless of whether the facility is connected to utility or
      other distribution lines, the installation of a hydroelectric
      energy turbine, induction generator, and control panel shall be
      certified:
      
           (A)  To a listing standard by a field evaluation body or
      nationally recognized testing laboratory; or
      
           (B)  By a professional engineer, by means of signing and
      stamping documentation of the project, as required in a form and
      manner determined by the board, indicating that the installation
      meets design criteria set forth in the Institute of Electrical and
      Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) standard for interconnecting
      distributed resources with electric power systems.
      
           (f.3)  Apply any hydroelectric energy provisions of an
      updated National Electrical Code, notwithstanding any
      provision in paragraph (f) to the contrary, if the National
      Electrical Code is updated to address hydroelectric energy
      specifically.
      
           SECTION 2.  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.
      
      
      
      
      ________________________________________________________
      Dickey Lee Hullinghorst                Bill L. Cadman
      SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                     PRESIDENT OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Marilyn Eddins                      Cindi L. Markwell
      CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                 SECRETARY OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    John W. Hickenlooper
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO