summary
Introduced
02/13/2025
02/13/2025
In Committee
04/15/2025
04/15/2025
Crossed Over
04/15/2025
04/15/2025
Passed
Dead
04/23/2025
04/23/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill requires the public utilities commission (commission) to evaluate electrical generation and grid resilience against geomagnetic storms (evaluation) and report the findings of the evaluation to the general assembly. The bill sets standards for the evaluation. Based on the evaluation, the commission shall adopt rules requiring an electrical utility to meet resiliency standards for geomagnetic storms. The rules include: ! Requiring the monitoring of the space weather prediction center of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration in order to isolate large power transformers and power generation from the grid; ! Mechanically isolating critical components if or when a coronal mass ejection is likely to cause geomagnetically induced currents; ! Restricting or closing fuel pipeline valves to mitigate damage in a sectional failure; ! Installing automatic neutral ground blocking devices in large power transformers; ! Ensuring that computer equipment can be mechanically isolated from the grid and sheltered from geomagnetically induced surges; ! Requiring all networked systems that operate electrical generation and distribution to be electronically and physically separable from the outside networks; and ! Requiring the cyber-certification of hardware and software that operate electrical generation and distribution.
AI Summary
This bill requires electrical utilities subject to North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) jurisdiction to annually submit and brief the Colorado General Assembly on their contingency action plans for addressing geomagnetic storms. The bill establishes specific recovery timelines for different severity levels of geomagnetic storms (classified G1 through G5), ranging from brief interruptions for minor storms to detailed restoration targets for extreme storms. These targets include resuming power generation, recovering critical infrastructure, restoring transmission lines and nodes, and re-establishing community electricity distribution within specified timeframes. Utilities must also evaluate and report on the certification of hardware and software systems used for energy generation and distribution. The bill recognizes the critical nature of energy infrastructure and the potential disruptions caused by solar events like coronal mass ejections, which can induce electrical currents in power systems and potentially cause voltage collapses or transformer damage. By January 2027, the Department of Regulatory Agencies must present the findings of this evaluation during its annual "SMART Act" hearing, with the reporting requirement set to expire on July 1, 2027. The bill aims to enhance the resilience of Colorado's electrical grid against potential geomagnetic disturbances by mandating comprehensive planning and assessment.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (18)
Ken Degraaf (R)*,
Rod Pelton (R)*,
Chris Richardson (R)*,
Larry Suckla (R)*,
Elizabeth Velasco (D)*,
Carlos Barron (R),
Shannon Bird (D),
Jarvis Caldwell (R),
Chad Clifford (D),
Monica Duran (D),
Ryan Gonzalez (R),
Eliza Hamrick (D),
Dusty Johnson (R),
Rebecca Keltie (R),
Javier Mabrey (D),
Rose Pugliese (R),
Matt Soper (R),
Ty Winter (R),
Last Action
Senate Senate Transportation & Energy Committee Hearing (13:30:00 4/23/2025 SCR 352) (on 04/23/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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