HB 26-1268

HB 26-1268, titled "Renewable Energy Development on Disturbed Lands," allows local governments to designate specific areas within their jurisdiction as zones for renewable energy and storage projects. These designations must involve public hearings and community engagement, especially with disproportionately impacted communities, and ensure that projects can be approved based on objective standards without needing additional permits. The bill also requires utilities to provide interconnection information within 30 days of a request from project developers or local governments. Additionally, it mandates the Colorado Energy Office to publish and update resources for developing these renewable energy projects online. Since the status is "signed," this means that the governor has approved the bill, making its provisions official law in Colorado. This will affect local governments, utility companies, and communities interested in renewable energy development on disturbed lands.

Official Summary

Section 1 of The bill authorizes a local government with permitting authority over land uses (local government) to designate one or more areas within the jurisdiction of the local government as renewable energy reinvestment areas for the siting of renewable energy and energy storage system projects (eligible projects). In designating an area as a renewable energy reinvestment area, the local government must hold at least one public hearing, engage in ensure that any outreach to and engagement of disproportionately impacted communities is consistent with statutory requirements , and ensure that an eligible project may be permitted and constructed pursuant to an administrative approval process based solely on the eligible project's compliance with objective standards. A local government cannot designate an eligible site within tribal lands without first consulting with the tribe with jurisdiction over the lands.     If an eligible project is sited in a renewable energy reinvestment area, an urban renewal authority or county revitalization authority (tax increment financing (authority) may distribute tax increment revenue to finance any public infrastructure needed for or reimburse costs associated with the eligible project in a manner consistent with the tax increment financing if the renewable energy reinvestment area is included in the authority's governing statutes urban renewal plan or county revitalization plan .      Section 1 requires a utility to respond In response to a request made by a local government or an eligible project developer for interconnection information regarding the proposed site of an eligible project a designated renewable energy reinvestment area, a utility is required to acknowledge the request and provide the requestor readily available information within 30 days after the request is made.      Section 2 requires The Colorado energy office is required to consolidate, publish on its website, and periodically update information and technical and informational resources concerning the process for siting, permitting, and developing eligible projects in renewable energy reinvestment areas.      Sections 3 and 4 make conforming amendments.(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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