Senate Bill 10-019 Summary

• Adds "small or low impact hydroelectric energy facility" to the definition of public utility for property tax purposes, effective for facilities first placed in production on or after January 1, 2010.

• Defines qualifying small or low impact hydroelectric facilities as those with 10 megawatts or less nameplate capacity, or larger facilities added to existing water infrastructure that do not increase peak power generation, include fish mortality prevention measures, and comply with state water quality standards.

• Requires valuation of small or low impact hydroelectric energy facilities using the income approach method based on power purchase agreements, rather than cost or market approaches, similar to wind and solar energy facilities.

• Exempts small or low impact hydroelectric facilities from standard renewable energy valuation requirements under section 39-5-104.7 and requires owners to provide power purchase agreements to the state administrator by April 1 of each assessment year.

• Applies retroactively to determine actual value of small or low impact hydroelectric energy facilities first placed in production on or after January 1, 2010.