HB 23-1080

House Bill 23-1080, titled "Reliable Alternative Energy Sources," requires the Colorado energy office to study whether small modular nuclear reactors can be used as a clean energy source in the state. The director must submit their findings by July 1, 2025. Additionally, the bill updates the definition of recycled energy and sets specific capacity limits for certain types of renewable energy generation units. This bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions are now active and being implemented.

Official Summary

Section 1 of the bill requires the director of the Colorado energy office or the director's designee (director) to conduct or cause to be conducted a study on the feasibility of using small modular nuclear reactors as a carbon-free energy source in the state (feasibility study). On or before July 1, 2025, the director is required to submit the director's findings and conclusions of the feasibility study to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy matters. Current law defines recycled energy for purposes of the renewable energy standard as energy produced by a generation unit with a nameplate capacity of not more than 15 megawatts. For pumped hydroelectricity generation only, section 2 specifies that the energy be produced by a generation unit with a nameplate capacity of not more than 400 megawatts.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)