Supporters Hail Passage of Rural Renewable Energy Legislation

Proponents say Senate Bill 252 will increase opportunities for rural economic development and reduce pollution across Colorado, but the initiative was criticized by the electrical co-op industry in the state, who claim it will raise rates. “Increasing Colorado’s renewable energy standards for rural electric co-ops offers rural Coloradans what they want: more solar, less pollution, more energy security and diversity, and more rural Colorado jobs,” said Lou Villaire, co-owner of Atlasta Solar which has provided service to Grand Valley Power Coop members for 35 years. The legislation will double the Renewable Energy Standard, from 10 percent to 20 percent for Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, the wholesale energy provider to most Colorado electric co-ops, and Intermountain Rural Electric Association, the largest distribution cooperative in Colorado. “The passage of SB 252 shows that the Colorado state legislature understands the importance of continuing to develop our clean, local and affordable energy resources like solar and wind across the state. As the Governor also supports clean energy development, we hope he responds promptly and signs the bill into law,” said Jeanne Bassett, Senior Associate with Environment Colorado. By 2020, these large energy providers will be asked to come closer to the 30 percent Renewable Energy Standard that Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy are well on their way to meeting. The legislation includes the same 2 percent cap on rate increases applied to Xcel – a rate impact that, if realized, the Colorado Energy Office estimates would cost the average family about $2 a month. Members of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association [1] who live in co-op territory are enthusiastic about the positive impacts they foresee. “As a resident and business owner within a co-op territory, I strongly feel that Senate Bill 252 would be a tremendous boost to the local economy,” said Josh Fabian, President of solar installer Dynamic Integration, LLC in Montrose, an area served by Delta Montrose Electric Association. “Not only would companies like mine be able to work closer to their home office, leading to less consumption of fuel, lower overheard and increased efficiency, but we would also have the opportunity to hire and train additional installers who would be The bill is expected to create new opportunities for renewable energy businesses by increasing the Renewable Energy Standard. Additionally, the legislation will create opportunities in rural Colorado through the Distributed Generation carve-out. Under this bill, distribution cooperatives with more than 10,000 meters will have a carve-out of 1 percent of total retail electric sales, and smaller co-ops will have a 0.75 percent DG carve-out. Senate Bill 252 was sponsored by Senate President John Morse and House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, along with Senator Gail Schwartz and Representative Crisanta Duran. It is headed to Gov. John Hickenlooper for his signature. “Rural Coloradans have already voted, and we have voted for more solar,” said Villaire. “Requiring Colorado rural Electric Co-ops to generate more electricity from solar at a minimal cost is not a hardship but rather an opportunity to increase jobs, reduce pollution, and lower electricity bills over the long-term for rural Colorado coop members.”