summary
Introduced
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
In Committee
03/26/2025
03/26/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/07/2025
05/07/2025
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Current law requires the Colorado electric transmission authority (authority) to conduct a study on the need for expanded transmission capacity in the state and prepare a final report of the study on or before January 31, 2025. Section 2 of the bill authorizes the authority to conduct the study on a recurring basis and requires the authority to present a statewide transmission plan, based on the results of the study, to the Colorado public utilities commission (commission) and the legislature every 3 years, beginning on or before September 1, 2027. Section 2 requires the authority to consider advanced transmission technologies in the study and identify certain projects that use advanced transmission technologies. "Advanced transmission technologies" is defined in section 1 as hardware or software technologies that increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or resiliency of an existing or new transmission facility. Section 3 designates the authority as a statewide transmission coordinator. Among other duties, the authority is required to facilitate coordinated statewide planning; engage with regional and interregional planning processes; and establish an expert advisory panel to review and provide feedback on model inputs, assumptions, and approaches. Under current law, an electric utility must submit an electric resource plan to the commission for approval. Sections 4 and 5 require an electric utility to: ! Include in the electric resource plan a transmission plan that identifies certain transmission resources and projects; ! Incorporate in the electric resource plan an evaluation of advanced transmission technologies or submit to the commission an explanation of why advanced transmission technologies are not included in the electric resource plan; and ! Provide model inputs and assumptions and other system information or methodology consultation necessary to support the authority in acting as a statewide transmission coordinator. Section 4 allows the commission to design incentives for a retail electric utility that utilizes advanced transmission technologies. Section 6 requires an electric utility to consider advanced transmission technologies in the electric utility's 10-year transmission plan.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Colorado Grid Optimization Act, aims to improve Colorado's electric transmission system by establishing new requirements for transmission planning and technology. The bill defines "advanced transmission technologies" as hardware or software that can increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or resiliency of transmission facilities, including advanced conductors and grid-enhancing technologies like dynamic line ratings and power flow controllers. The Colorado electric transmission authority will now be required to conduct a comprehensive study every three years, starting in 2027, to analyze how these advanced technologies can support the electric transmission system, identify potential projects, and develop modeling methodologies to evaluate their benefits. Electric utilities will be required to include transmission plans in their resource plans that identify transmission resources, evaluate advanced transmission technologies, and develop strategies to optimize the existing transmission system. The bill also designates the transmission authority as a statewide transmission coordinator, tasking it with coordinating transmission plans, maintaining a statewide transmission model, engaging with regional planning processes, and establishing an expert advisory panel to review modeling inputs and approaches. Additionally, the bill allows the Colorado public utilities commission to design incentives for utilities that utilize advanced transmission technologies, with the overall goal of improving grid reliability, reducing transmission congestion, and supporting the integration of renewable and zero-carbon energy resources.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Senate Second Reading Calendar (13:30:00 4/28/2025 Senate Floor) (on 04/28/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-127 |
| Fiscal Note FN3 | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/fn/2025a_sb127_f1.pdf |
| Fiscal Note FN2 | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/fn/2025a_sb127_r1.pdf |
| Senate Transportation & Energy Amendment L.002 | https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/leg.colorado.gov/2025A/amendments/44B1E93018CA2D9487258C590050DC93/SB127_L.002.pdf |
| Senate Transportation & Energy Amendment L.001 | https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/leg.colorado.gov/2025A/amendments/4638D959CB5D33E287258C540058DF50/SB127_L.001.pdf |
| Fiscal Note FN1 | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/fn/2025a_sb127_00.pdf |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/2025a_127_01.pdf |
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