The State of Colorado ended May by enacting a flurry of clean energy bills aiming to decarbonize the state’s electric and transportation sectors. On May 30th, Governor Polis signed seven climate and energy bills, addressing carbon caps for the electric grid, energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy infrastructure, and new rules on the state’s Public Utility Commission (PUC). The final bill (SB 19-096) tasks the Air Quality Control Commission to “ensure the robust tracking of greenhouse gas emissions,” and to “propose rules to implement measures that would cost-effectively allow the state to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.”
The very next day, Governor Polis signed an additional four bills focused on electric vehicles. The bills cover the role of public utilities in electric charging station development, set rules at parking lots, make alterations to tax credits on electric vehicle purchases, and mandate a study of the effects of new technologies in the state’s transportation system. Governor Polis stated that these bills will aid the state’s transition to zero-emission vehicles, in order to “improve our air quality and protect our environment, strengthen and diversify our economy, and protect customers’ wallets.” The Colorado Energy Office’s summary of these bills can be found here, in their Legislative Snapshot for May.
Finally, Governor Polis has released a “Roadmap to 100% Renewable Energy by 2040 and Bold Climate Action.” The roadmap identifies several key areas for action: modernization of the PUC; growing green jobs and saving money; energy efficiency; zero-emission commuting options; ensuring an equitable economic transition; 100% renewable energy; and zero-emission buildings.