8D674E87E2099CF2872583C3006B8A12 Hearing Summary

Representative Hansen introduced Senate Bill 19-077 concerning measures that affect the development of infrastructure used by electric motor vehicles, and, in connection therewith, establishing a process at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission whereby a public utility may undertake implementation of an electric motor vehicle infrastructure program within the area covered by the utility's certificate of public convenience and necessity. He showed a PowerPoint presentation about the bill.

The bill authorizes public utilities to provide fueling stations for motor vehicles as regulated or unregulated services and allows cost recovery. A public utility may apply to the Public Utilities Commission to build facilities to support electric vehicles. The rates and charges for the services may allow for a return on investment made by the public utility at the utility's weighted average cost of capital at the utility's most recent rate of return on equity approved by the commission. The cost must be recovered from all customers in a manner that is similar to recovery of distribution system investments.

The committee questioned the sponsor about rate recovery, current rate of return for the Public Utilities Commission, capacity to accommodate electric vehicle charging, infrastructure, alternative fuel vehicles definition, the sale of electric charging equipment, and rates charged to customers.

The committee continued to question the bill sponsor about cost recoveries, rates of return, labor requirements when installing electric vehicle infrastructure, and the rate for fast charging stations.

Thomas Phillips, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Thomas Acker, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Carl Baer, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Paula Strackman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Christopher Campbell, representing himself and Atlasta Solar Center, testified in support of the bill. The committee questioned the witness about changes in installation of charging stations.

Ian Roche, representing David Miller of Alpine Bank, testified in support of the bill.

Sarah Kelly, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Grier Bailey, representing the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Bill Levis, representing the AARP, testified in opposition to the bill.  He provided a handout (Attachment A).

The committee questioned the witnesses about rate caps and costs to customers.

The committee continued to question the witnesses about effects of the bill in rural areas, placement of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, current options in building and financing EV charging stations, costs to consumers, costs for building an EV charging station, and expansion of infrastructure.

Lily Weissgold, representing E2 and herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mike Salisbry, representing the city and county of Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill.

Noah Garcia, representing the Natural Resources Defense Counsel, testified in support of the bill.

Alva Parga, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The committee questioned the witnesses about the number of existing charging stations, ownership of existing charging stations, location of charging stations, competition between private businesses and utilities, partnerships to construct charging stations, and passing costs on to customers.

The committee continued to question the witnesses about rates of return on costs, limiting costs to customers, and involvement of the Public Utilities Commission.

Chris Votoupal, representing Charging Point, testified in support of the bill.

Adam Fung, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Susan Jacobson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jacob Smith, representing Colorado Communities for Climate Action, testified in support of the bill.

Dennis Dougherty, representing the Colorado AFL-CIO, testified in support of the bill.

Rene Latena, representing Tyler Svitak, testified in support of the bill.

Janet Baltz, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Danny Katz, reprsenting CoPIRG, testified in support of the bill.

Christian Williss, representing the Colorado Energy Office, testified in support of the bill.

Susan Nedell, representing E2 and Ken Scissors, testified in support of the bill.

Sophia Mayott-Guerrero, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

The committee questioned the witnesses about downward pressure of utility rates, fixed assets, caps on utility rates, and the time of day when infrastructure will be used for charging.

The committee questioned the witnesses about uncapped costs to fund charging stations and customer rates.

Becky English, representing the Sierra Club, testified in support of the bill.