HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.012-07
RESOLUTION NO. r)....,
(Series of 2007)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO
ENDORSING HB 1281, CONCERNING INCREASED RENEWABLE ENERGY
STANDARDS:
WHEREAS, climate change could be the most critical current threat to Aspen's way
oflife, health, and economy; and
WHEREAS, local actions can help to pave the way for national and international
leadership; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that addressing the potentially adverse
affects of global warming upon the health and economic well-being of its citizens and guests
is, and should be, of the highest priority for the City of Aspen; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted the Canary Initiative, a comprehensive program
to confront global warming at the local level in March of2005; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has supported and funded increasing the City of Aspen
Electric Department's renewable energy portfolio to 73% to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
stabilize electric rates and support clean energy; and
WHEREAS, the City Council supports increasing state standards for the percentage of
clean, renewable energy being provided to its citizens and visitors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO THAT:
I. The City of Aspen officially supports HB 1281, concerning increased renewable
energy standards.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Aspen on the
26th day of February, 2007.
Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing is a true
and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen,
Colorado, at a meeting held on the day hereinabove stated.
Request to City of Aspen for Legislative Action
Please email to:mitzir@cLaspen.co.us
Call Mitzi Rapkin, 920-5028 if you have questions
Date: February 9, 2007
Deadline for action, if any: February I6tn, 2007
Your Name and Dept: Dan Richardson, Public Works
State or Federal X state o federal
Lel!islation (check one)
Bill Number: HOUSE BILL 07-1281
Bill Sponsor(s), if known: HOUSE SPONSORSHIP: Pommer and Witwer,
Benefield, Borodkin, Buescher, Butcher, Casso, Cerbo, Fischer,
Frangas, Gagliardi, Garcia, Gibbs, Green, Hicks, Jahn, Kefalas,
Kerr A., Kerr J., Labuda, Levy, Looper, Madden, Marostica,
Marshall, Massey, McFadyen, McGihon, McKinley, Merrifield,
Peniston, Primavera, Rice, Riesberg, Roberts, Solano,
Summers, Todd, and Vaad
SENATE SPONSORSHIP: Schwartz, Bacon, Boyd,
Fitz-Gerald, Gordon, Groff, Johnson, Keller, Kester, Morse,
Romer, Shaffer, Tapia, Tochtrop, Tupa, Veiga, Williams, and
Windels
Bill Status, ifknown: In committee (Transportation & Energy)
Bill Title: A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING INCREASED RENEWABLE ENERGY
STANDARDS.
Brief Summary of Bill:
Expands the definition of "qualifying retail utility" to include providers of retail electric services,
other than municipally owned utilities, that serve 40,000 customers or less. Raises the renewable
energy standard for electrical generation by qualifying retail utilities other than cooperative electric
associations and municipally owned utilities that serve more than 40,000 customers to 5% by
2008,10% by 2011,15% by 2015, and 20% by 2020. Establishes a renewable energy standard
for cooperative electric associations and municipally owned utilities that serve more than 40,000
customers of 1% by 2008,3% by 2011,6% by 2015, and 10% by 2020. Defines "eligible energy
resources" to include recycled energy and renewable energy resources. For the purposes of
cooperative electric associations' compliance with the renewable energy standard, counts each
kilowatt-hour of renewable electricity generated from:
. A community-based project as 1.5 kilowatt-hours; and
. Solar electric generation technologies as 3 kilowatt-hours.
Allows each kilowatt-hour to take advantage of only one of the multipliers.
Adjusts the cost-recovery standards. Raises the maximum retail rate impact of complying with the
standard to 2% for qualifying retail utilities other than cooperative electric associations. Prevents
qualifying retail utilities from opting out of compliance with the renewable energy standard.
Requires cooperative electric associations to submit annual reports to the public utilities
commission concerning their compliance with the renewable energy standard.
Encourages electric utilities to establish community energy funds for the development of projects
for the further development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation, and
environmental improvement.
City of Aspen position desired:
(check one)
Specific action requested:
(Check appropriate box)
Please attach suggested language for
letter or emaiI.
TIoppose
X support Damend
TIphone call Demail,
X letter other
Attached is HB 1281 and a supporting resolution.
I am requesting that the City of Aspen endorse
the bill as soon as possible, by adopting this
resolution.
Reasons why the City of Aspen should take the requested position:
This bill will greatly improve our chances of achieving a goal listed in the Canary Action Plan - for
the community wide renewable energy portfolio be 45% by 2015. This bill would require all REA's
(including Holy Cross Energy) to increase its renewable energy portfolio to 20% by 2020.
City of Aspen action: