DENVER - Utilities would have to generate more of their power from alternative energy sources such as the sun and wind under a bill that received preliminary approval Friday in the House of Representatives.
HB1281 would expand on the requirements of Amendment 37 and would affect Colorado Springs Utilities and the state's rural electric cooperatives, including Intermountain Rural Electric Association. Amendment 37, approved by voters in 2004, mandates that utilities increasingly use renewable energy to achieve 10 percent of sales by 2015. As a municipal utility, Utilities is exempt from the requirement but has chosen to follow the rules.
If the bill receives final approval in the House, it then goes to the Senate.
Some Republicans sought Friday to allow utilities to count hydroelectric power as a renewable source, permit rural electric cooperatives to vote themselves exempt from the new requirements and require the Public Utilities Commission to study wildlife impacts before approving facilities that generate renewable energy.
Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, told legislators that the bill "plays favorites" by excluding hydropower. He said electricity generated by flowing water is more reliable than solar or wind power.
But Rep. Rob Witwer, R-Golden and a co-sponsor of the bill, said that proponents want to encourage development of new energy sources. "Hydroelectricity is already commercially viable," Witwer said.
Several Republicans urged the House to grant rural electric cooperatives the same optout authority they have under Amendment 37. They pointed out that two of those cooperatives, IREA and Brighton's United Power, Inc., voted to do so. The amendment proposal failed 44-19.
Rep. Victor Mitchell, R-Castle Rock, said he was concerned that the House was overriding the public's will. "Considering the type of election it was, with over 40,000 votes, I believe we shouldn't disrespect the will of the voters," Mitchell said.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, argued that allowing IREA and other cooperatives to opt out of the new requirements would undermine the purpose of the bill. "It only works if everybody participates," Pommer said.
The wildlife impact amendment also died.
The bill is a cornerstone of Gov. Bill Ritter's plan to build a "new energy economy" in the state.
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