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What is Senate Bill 100?

345kV Steel Pole

In 2007, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law Colorado Senate Bill 07-100, commonly referred to as Senate Bill 100. Senate Bill 100 established requirements for utilities to continually evaluate and, if necessary, improve electric transmission facilities to meet the state’s existing and future energy needs. It essentially seeks to expand Colorado’s electric transmission system and promote the use of renewable resources.

Senate Bill 100 calls for the creation of Energy Resource Zones (ERZs), defined as geographic areas in which transmission constraints hinder the delivery of electricity to Colorado consumers, the development of new electric generation facilities to serve Colorado consumers, or both. The company has identified five such zones where development interest has been shown in the past, and where there is significant renewable generation potential for wind and solar.

Senate Bill 100 requires that Colorado electric utilities that are subject to rate regulation by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission file a biennial transmission development plan by October 31. The plan must consist of the following:

  • Designation of energy resource zones
  • Development of plans for the construction or expansion of transmission facilities necessary to deliver power consistent with the timing of energy resources located in or near such zones
  • Consideration of how transmission can be provided to encourage local ownership of renewable energy facilities; and
  • Submission of proposed plans and applications for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to the CPUC for review.