Bill > HB1081

This bill, titled the "Colorado Grid Optimization Act," aims to improve Colorado's electric transmission system by incorporating advanced technologies and strategies. It defines "advanced conductor" as a conductor that significantly reduces electrical resistance or increases carrying capacity compared to standard ones, and "advanced transmission technologies" as hardware or software that boost the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or resilience of transmission facilities, including "grid-enhancing technologies." Grid-enhancing technologies are further defined as tools that reduce congestion or increase flexibility by rerouting electricity or increasing line capacity, such as dynamic line ratings, advanced power flow controllers, topology optimization, and energy storage when used for transmission or distribution. The bill mandates that utilities subject to rate regulation must include in their ten-year transmission plans strategies to reduce construction and financing costs, potentially by considering bonds from the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority, and must evaluate the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of advanced transmission technologies. This evaluation should assess their ability to increase capacity, reduce congestion, speed up new resource connections, lower wildfire risk, enhance renewable energy integration, and improve inter-state electricity transfer, while also considering potential benefits like meeting short-term needs during new construction and minimizing impacts on wildlife habitats.