First Regular Session Seventieth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO INTRODUCED LLS NO. 15-0385.01 Esther van Mourik x4215SENATE BILL 15-063 SENATE SPONSORSHIP Donovan, HOUSE SPONSORSHIP (None), Senate Committees House Committees Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Energy A BILL FOR AN ACT Concerning an expansion of the wind for schools grant program. Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://www.leg.state.co.us/billsummaries.) The bill takes the existing wind for schools grant program enacted in 2007 and broadens the program to include other types of electricity generated from eligible energy resources. The 2007 program allowed for grants not to exceed $5,000 to be provided to public schools and community colleges for wind generation projects, was funded by federal "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" money, required the schools to work with the national renewable energy laboratory to establish the projects, and was overseen by the Colorado energy office. This expanded program allows for grants not to exceed $15,000 and continues to be overseen by the Colorado energy office. Because the national renewable energy laboratory no longer accepts applications for these grants, the bill also removes the requirement for a school to partner with the national renewable energy laboratory. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 22-89-101 as follows: 22-89-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Wind Alternative Energy for Schools Grant Program". SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 22-89-102 as follows: 22-89-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that: (a) Colorado's schools face a perennial struggle with tight budgets, and their financial difficulties are worsened by volatile electricity prices that often lead to high electricity bills; (b) A small but growing number of schools have responded to these difficulties by beginning to produce their own electricity with wind turbines alternative energy; (c) By producing their own electricity with wind turbines alternative energy, some schools have reduced their electricity costs while promoting energy independence and environmental responsibility and have provided students with an opportunity to understand this burgeoning technology; (d) The general assembly would serve the best interests of Colorado schools by supporting the efforts of public schools and community colleges that are considering wind power alternative energy projects; and (e) The general assembly would best serve the interest of Colorado schools by revising the wind for schools program, as it existed prior to the effective date of this paragraph (e), to incorporate a broader range of alternative energy projects. SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 22-89-103 as follows: 22-89-103. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Colorado energy office" means the Colorado energy office created in section 24-38.5-101, C.R.S. "Alternative energy" means electricity generated from eligible energy resources as defined in section 40-2-124 (1), C.R.S. (2) "Qualified school" means a public school or community college in the state that is working with the national renewable energy laboratory to establish a wind for schools project. A qualified school shall have a project team involved that includes the school, community, and technical assistance membership. "Alternative energy for schools grant program" or "grant program" means the grant program created pursuant to section 22-89-104 to fund alternative energy projects at a qualified school. (3) "Wind for schools grant program" or "grant program" means the grant program created pursuant to section 22-89-104 to fund wind power projects at a qualified school. "Alternative energy for schools project" means a project supported by the Colorado energy office to help a qualified school install alternative energy generation that will help defray the school's energy costs and provide educational opportunities for students relating to such generation. (4) "Wind for schools project" means a project supported by the national renewable energy laboratory and wind powering America to help a qualified school install a wind turbine that will help defray the school's energy costs and provide educational opportunities for students relating to the generation of wind power. "Colorado energy office" means the Colorado energy office created in section 24-38.5-101, C.R.S. (5) "Qualified school" means a public school or community college in the state that is working with the Colorado energy office to establish an alternative energy for schools project. A qualified school must have a project team involved that includes the school, community, and technical assistance membership. SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 22-89-104 as follows: 22-89-104. Alternative energy for schools grant program - created - applications. (1) There is hereby created the wind alternative energy for schools grant program to fund wind alternative energy for schools projects at qualified schools. A qualified school may, with the written authorization of the local board of education, apply to the Colorado energy office, in accordance with procedures and deadlines adopted by the office, to receive moneys through the grant program. The office shall administer the grant program as provided in this article and pursuant to policies adopted by the office. (2) (a) The Colorado energy office shall adopt policies specifying when a qualified school may request a grant and the procedure for making the request. (b) A qualified school that receives a grant through the grant program shall must use the moneys received to pay for technical assistance, equipment, or installation costs associated with a wind an alternative energy for schools project. SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 22-89-105 as follows: 22-89-105. Alternative energy for schools grant program - policies - awarding grants. (1) The Colorado energy office shall adopt policies for the implementation of the wind alternative energy for schools grant program. At a minimum, the policies shall must specify the procedures for applying for a grant, the form of the grant application, the information to be provided by the applicant, and the criteria for awarding grants. (2) (a) The Colorado energy office shall review each grant application received from a qualified school pursuant to section 22-89-104 and shall make a determination as to whether the grant should be awarded and, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection (2), the amount of the grant. If the office determines an application is missing any information required by the office's policy to be included with the application, the office may contact the applicant to obtain the missing information. (b) In awarding grants pursuant to this article, the Colorado energy office shall consider, at a minimum, whether a qualified school: (I) Would reduce its electricity costs by the implementation of a wind an alternative energy for schools project; and (II) Has a plan in place to incorporate the implementation of a wind an alternative energy for schools project into its educational curriculum; and (III) Has demonstrated to the Colorado energy office that it is making an effort to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings. (c) A qualified school shall may not receive an aggregate amount of grants pursuant to this article that exceeds five fifteen thousand dollars. (3) The Colorado energy office shall use at least fifty thousand dollars for the implementation of this grant program from the existing resources of the office. The minimum funding requirement for the implementation of this grant program may be met in one or more fiscal years. The office shall not submit a request for an appropriation or a supplemental appropriation for this purpose. SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-38.5-102, amend (1) (f) as follows: 24-38.5-102. Colorado energy office - duties and powers. (1) The Colorado energy office shall: (f) Implement and administer a wind an alternative energy for schools project pursuant to article 89 of title 22, C.R.S.; SECTION 7. Applicability. This act applies to grant applications received by the Colorado energy office on or after the effective date of this act. SECTION 8. 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.