HomeMy WebLinkAbout14624RESOLUTION NO. 14624
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL
21-200, AS AMENDED, AND URGING GOVERNOR POLIS TO
VETO SAID BILL SHOULD IT BE ADOPTED BY THE COLORADO
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Recitals
WHEREAS, two years ago, in a bold effort to address climate change, the Colorado
General Assembly passed SB 19-236 and HB 19-1261 as an historic climate package that put
Colorado on the map as a state with one of the most aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions reduction trajectories in the country; and
WHEREAS, these two bills required the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC)
to adopt rules that will result in the statewide reduction of GHG emissions of 26% by 2025; 50%
by 2030 and 90% by 2050, as compared to 2005 emissions; and
WHEREAS, these two bills balanced all of the key considerations in meaningful climate
action and created a framework to reduce emissions while simultaneously prioritizing energy
reliability. These bills also provided protections for the workforce and communities affected by
the clean energy transition; and
WHEREAS, SB 21-200 is designed to undo the 2019 plan; and
WHEREAS, SB 21-200 takes a much different approach than the balanced framework
previously passed by the General Assembly in 2019; and
WHEREAS, at its core, SB 21-200 is a single-purpose emissions reduction measure that
sets hard targets for sectors across the state economy, including new and more aggressive
targets for the power sector without the careful consideration given in 2019 to the workforce,
affected communities and energy equity; and
WHEREAS, Colorado should be ambitious in its efforts to address climate change, but the
State cannot devastate its economy while doing so; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 Colorado created a plan to reduce emissions the right way. SB 21-
200 is the wrong approach for Colorado. It unwinds all the work that has been accomplished and
superimposes a new framework that is blind to reliability and affordability considerations; and
WHEREAS, even Black Hills Energy is concerned about the investment costs which would
be passed on to consumers if SB 21-200 becomes law. On May 15, 2021, Julie Rodriquez, the
public information officer for Black Hills, was quoted in the Pueblo Chieftain as follows:
“The legislation proposed by SB200 is headed into unchartered territory without
\[an\] understanding of risk or impact to consumers. While the costs are speculative
at this time, the expectation is that there will be increased costs to businesses,
families, and industry at a time when Colorado is trying to pull itself out of the
economic recession caused by COVID-19.”
and;
WHEREAS, Black Hills’ rates for its residential customers are 42% higher than Xcel
Energy’s rates; and
WHEREAS, if Senate Bill 21-200 becomes law, coal-fired electric generating facilities will
be prematurely disallowed and electric generators powered by natural gas will be prematurely
phased-out; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is concerned that most residents of the City cannot afford to
replace their gas heat, stoves or water heaters with electric appliances; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that the adoption of SB 21-200 will make it much
more difficult for low-income households in the City to pay their utility bills;. NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
SECTION 1.
The Pueblo City Council opposes the passage of Senate Bill 21-200 and urges all
Colorado lawmakers, including Pueblo County’s delegation in the General Assembly, to vote
against Senate Bill 21-200.
SECTION 2.
If SB 21-200 is adopted by the Colorado General Assembly, the Pueblo City Council urges
Governor Polis to veto the bill.
SECTION 3.
The officers and staff of the City are authorized to perform any and all acts consistent with
this Resolution to impement the policies and procedures described herein.
SECTION 4.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon final passage.
INTRODUCED May 24, 2021
BY: Robert Schilling
MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL
APPROVED:
PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL
ATTESTED BY:
CITY CLERK
City Clerk’s Office Item # Q-1
Background Paper for Proposed
Resolution
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: May 24, 2021
TO: President Lawrence W. Atencio and Members of City Council
CC: Mayor Nicholas A. Gradisar
VIA: Marisa Stoller, City Clerk
FROM: Daniel C. Kogovsek, City Attorney
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 21-200, AS
AMENDED, AND URGING GOVERNOR POLIS TO VETO SAID BILL SHOULD
IT BE ADOPTED BY THE COLORADO GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SUMMARY:
Attached is a Resolution which expresses the City Council’s opposition to SB 21-200, as
amended, now pending before the Colorado General Assembly. If this legislation is passed by
the state legislature, the attached Resolution urges Governor Polis to veto the bill.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
Not applicable to this Resolution.
BACKGROUND:
Two years ago, in a bold effort to address climate change, the Colorado General Assembly
passed SB 19-236 and HB 19-1261 as an historic climate package that put Colorado on the map
as a state with one of the most aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction
trajectories in the country. These two bills required the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission
(AQCC) to adopt rules that will result in the statewide reduction of GHG emissions of 26% by
2025; 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2050, as compared to 2005 emissions. These two bills balanced
all of the key considerations in meaningful climate action and created a framework to reduce
emissions while simultaneously prioritizing energy reliability. These bills also provided protections
for the workforce and communities affected by the clean energy transition; and
SB 21-200 is designed to undo the 2019 plan. SB 21-200 takes a much different approach than
the balanced framework previously passed by the General Assembly in 2019. At its core, SB 21-
200 is a single-purpose emissions reduction measure that sets hard targets for sectors across
the state economy, including new and more aggressive targets for the power sector without the
careful consideration given in 2019 to the workforce, affected communities and energy equity.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Should SB 21-200 become law, the City’s utility costs will increase significantly.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
Not applicable to this Resolution.
STAKEHOLDER PROCESS:
Not applicable to this Resolution.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council has the option of remaining neutral and not opposing SB 21-200.
RECOMMENDATION:
Pass the Resolution.
Attachments:
Proposed Resolution