Senate Bill 100 Colorado

The bill passed by the Colorado legislature and signed by the governor determines several items:
a) A robust electric transmission system is critical to ensuring the reliability of electric power for Colorado Citizens,
b) Colorado’s vibrant economy and high quality of life depend on the continued availability of clean, affordable, reliable electricity;
c) Therefore Colorado utilities should continually evaluate and adequacy of electric transmission facilities throughout the state and should be encouraged to promptly and efficiently improve such infrastructure as required to meet the state’s existing and future energy needs.

The requirements of the bill will be such that Xcel Energy /Public service company of Colorado will file a biennial plan each October 31st.  The plan shall consist of a) designation of energy resource zones, b) develop plans for the construction or expansion of transmission facilities necessary to delivery power consistent with the timing of energy resources located in or near such zones, c) Consider how transmission can be provided to encourage local ownership of renewable energy facilities and d) submit proposed plans and applications for CPCN’s to the Public Utility commission for review.

A public utility shall be entitled to recover, through a separate rate adjustment clause, the costs that it prudently incurs in planning, developing and completing the construction or expansion of transmission facilities for which the utility has been granted a CPCN or for which the commission has determined that no CPCN is required.  The transmission rate adjustment clause shall be subject to annual changes January 1st of each year.

For more information, please go to Senate Bill 100 Colorado.