Colorado's New Energy Economy is a national model for creating solutions to global warming. We can take another step ahead by using our abundant solar resources to build large, utility-scale solar plants. By using just 2 percent of the best resources in the San Luis Valley we could meet half of Colorado's current demand. This will help reach the Colorado Climate Action Plan goal of cutting pollution from electricity production by 20 percent from electricity generation by 2020. HB 1164 directs the Public Utilities Commission to consider the advantages of acquiring utility scale solar power plants to meet our state's energy needs.

Clean, Solar Power Plants

Utility scale solar power plants have been in use for almost twenty years in the U.S., producing over 300 MW of power. Today's systems are even more efficient and reliable. With the ability to store energy for six hours or more, these systems can dispatch power to meet Colorado's periods of high electricity use with competitively priced electricity (9 to 13 cents a kWh).

Utility scale solar plants also offer several advantages to utilities over other sources of renewable electricity. First, because they can currently store energy for up to six hours, they can dispatch electricity when needed, allowing utilities to better match electricity demand. In addition, these plants can be scaled to meet growing demand and can be built quickly (1 to 2 years). HB 1164 directs the PUC to consider the following additional benefits: electricity production free from global warming pollution, long-term price stability for fuel, and reduced water consumption for electric generation.

Good for Colorado

Meeting Colorado's Energy Needs with Clean, Abundant, and Reliable Power

Utility scale solar plants can meet Colorado's increasing energy needs. A recent report by the Colorado Energy Forum estimated that Colorado will need 4,900 MW of new electricity generation by 2025. While almost half of this should be met with energy efficiency, we would still need more than 2,000 MW of new power. According to the Governor's Energy Office, Colorado has the potential to produce over 5.5 GW of power from just 2 percent of the best resources in the San Luis Valley.

Building the New Energy Economy–Creating Solutions to Global Warming

Electricity generation creates almost half of the state's global warming pollution. Polling shows that three-quarters of Coloradans view global warming as a problem and support action to reduce pollution. Meeting new demand with clean, solar power plants will mean decreasing the state's global warming pollution. 

Growing Colorado's New Energy Economy in New Places

Because the best resources for utility scale solar in Colorado are in the San Luis Valley, developing this industry would bring growth and economic diversity to this part of rural Colorado. An economic analysis of a solar power plant the size of an average coal plant in Arizona estimated the project would bring in between $2 and $4 billion in private investment and create over 250 permanent, high-paying jobs. Experts predict that Colorado could expect similar results.

What House Bill 1164 Does

Directs the Public Utilities Commission to consider whether the acquisition of utility scale solar resources (2 MW or greater) is in the public interest

Requires the PUC to give full consideration to impacts of future carbon regulation on electricity pricing when evaluating utility resource plans

Defines benefits of utility scale solar resources and requires the PUC to consider these in resource planning

For More Information Contact:

 Pam Kiely w/ Environment Colorado (303.929.8702) & Carrie Curtiss w/ CEC (303.525.4992)