Senate Passes Pair of Bills To Invest in Clean Energy

Legislation would provide increased opportunities to adopt carbon management technologies and thermal energy as a clean heat resource

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate passed a pair of bills to invest in clean energy technologies.

HB23-1210, sponsored by Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, would direct the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) to develop a carbon management roadmap and help Colorado companies successfully undertake carbon management projects such as carbon removal, storage, and utilization. It creates a new funding avenue for these projects by expanding the eligibility criteria of CEO’s Industrial and Manufacturing Operations Clean Air Grants Program.

“Achieving Colorado’s bold climate goals requires innovation,” Hansen said. “Carbon removal is emerging as an innovative, successful technology to be used in the pursuit of a net-zero economy. I’m proud to help Colorado become a leader in carbon management and I look forward to all we’re able to accomplish when this legislation is passed.”

The Senate also passed Senator Tony Exum Sr.’s, D-Colorado Springs, bill to continue Colorado’s work to reduce emissions from gas utilities by providing a pathway for wider adoption of thermal energy as a clean heat resource. HB23-1252 aims to assist in the transition away from expensive fuel commodities like natural gas and lower utility costs for Coloradans.

“Adopting new clean energy technologies like thermal energy will help create jobs while lowering overall emissions,” said Exum. “Natural gas is driving up utility costs and putting the squeeze on Coloradans' budgets. We have an opportunity this year to continue moving away from polluting energy sources and instead adopt cleaner technology to move Colorado’s economy and climate goals forward.”

Thermal energy systems heat and cool buildings by circulating non-combustible fluids through a pipe network. Defining thermal energy as a clean heat resource allows the state to expand its usage, which will create new job opportunities, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and save Coloradans money on their utility bills.

HB23-1210 will head back to the House for concurrence of amendments, while HB23-1252 heads to the Governor’s desk. Follow their progress HERE and HERE, respectively.