Bill > HB1177

This bill modifies Colorado's utility economic development rate tariff regulations, providing investor-owned electric utilities with more flexibility in offering special reduced electricity rates to qualifying commercial and industrial customers. The bill expands the threshold for utility-negotiated economic development rates from 20 to 40 megawatts without commission approval, and allows for potential rate agreements lasting up to 25 years (previously capped at 10 years). Key provisions include requiring that these economic development rates be in the public interest, not increase costs for other customers, and not diminish the utility's greenhouse gas emission reduction obligations. The bill introduces new requirements for commission approval, such as demonstrating marginal cost, transmission capabilities, and community benefits for larger load additions. It also defines new terms like "marginal cost" and "societal economic benefit test," which require utilities to consider broader economic impacts beyond simple electricity pricing. The legislation includes specific timelines for commission review of economic development rate applications based on the size of the proposed load expansion, and establishes a sunset date of January 1, 2035, for these provisions.