HB 18-1345

HB 18-1345, also known as the Electric Transmission Lines Right Of First Refusal bill, gives existing electric utilities in Colorado a chance to build new transmission lines if those lines are approved by federal planning processes. If an existing utility wants to construct a new line that connects to its facilities, it must notify the Public Utilities Commission within 180 days of the approval. This allows the utility up to two years to apply for permission from the commission to actually build the line. The bill is now signed into law, meaning utilities can start using this process immediately if they want to claim rights over new transmission lines.

Official Summary

The federal energy regulatory commission requires each public utility transmission provider to participate in a regional transmission planning process to produce a regional transmission plan. If construction of an electric transmission line (line) in Colorado has been approved in a regional transmission plan or by another applicable federal regional transmission planning requirement, the bill affords an incumbent electric utility owning the existing transmission facilities to which the line will connect up to 180 days after the line has been approved to give written notice to the public utilities commission (commission) that the incumbent electric utility intends to construct, own, and maintain the line. If the incumbent electric utility does not provide notice to the commission, the incumbent electric utility surrenders its right of first refusal to construct, own, and maintain the line. If the incumbent electric utility provides the notice, the incumbent electric utility, if it is subject to the commission's regulation, shall, within 24 months after filing the notice, file an application with the commission for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct the line.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More