Colorado Governor signs hydro power bill

Mar 30 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Patrick Malone The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo

Gov. John Hickenlooper on Tuesday signed a bill into law that opens the door to more hydroelectric power generation operations in the state.

Under HB1083, the Public Utilities Commission can authorize hydro projects and allow rates to be adjusted to recover the costs of the projects, similar to other renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

For Southern Colorado, the bill was the first step toward a possible hydroelectric and pumped hydro project that could create 300 construction jobs and up to 30 permanent positions.

TransCanada Corp. is in the preliminary stages of eyeing an $800 million hydro plant near Penrose.

Concessions to environmental groups that worried about the impact on aquatic life and others who were concerned about its impact on downstream water users paved the way for the bill's popularity.

"When we started out, I was scratching my head wondering how we were going to get this passed. We were butting our heads against a wall," said sponsor Rep. Keith Swerdfeger, R-Pueblo West. "We backed up, just started communicating with the people that had concerns, and then it came on board."

The bill passed through two committees, the Senate and the House twice without a vote against it. Experts testified that hydro is an economical way -- except for the hefty up-front investment -- to store and generate energy in order to fill gaps in wind and solar generation, and that up to six sites throughout the state have been identified as suitable sites for hydroelectric plants.

"South Slope has gotten a lot of headlines as a project, but I think this bill is bigger than that," Swerdfeger said. "We should be looking at taking advantage of our natural resources. Colorado's a high-mountain state; water flows downhill, and that's energy on a constant basis. If we can take advantage of it, we should."

Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Kevin Grantham, R-Canon City, also sponsored the bill.

Lt. Gov. bill

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill that would enable Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia to add commissioner of higher education to his title.

Now, HB1155 is headed back to the House for final approval before moving on to the governor's desk.

Garcia, the former president of Colorado State University-Pueblo, accepted Gov. John Hickenlooper's invitation to join him on the Democratic ticket last year on the condition that he would be able to stay active in guiding higher education in the state.

Ag tax designation

A bill would exempt the land beneath homes on agriculturally zoned land from tax breaks passed by a 40-24 vote in the House on Tuesday.

Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, carried HB1146 to passage despite some resistance from his own party. Only Republicans opposed the bill, and some of them supported it.

The bill would exclude up to 2 acres of land under residences on agriculturally used land unless the residence is integral to an agricultural operation. The homes atop that land would continue to be taxed at the residential rate.

Next, the bill will be heard in a Senate committee.

Coal-bed water

The House unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that would grant the state engineer authority over water permitting disputes between landowners and gas companies.

Under HB1286, Water Court would be the last line of appeal for decisions by the state engineer. The bill arose in response to a 2009 Colorado Supreme Court ruling that found oil and gas wells are subject to the tributary water permitting process.

Supporters of the bill have said it would streamline the permitting and appeal processes. In a committee hearing, an opponent objected that it represents legislative side-stepping of the high court.

Next, the bill will be heard by a Senate committee.