SB 10-177 Summary

• Expands the definition of "agriculture" effective July 1, 2013 to include silviculture (forest management and tree farming).

• Creates a new "biomass energy facility" definition for facilities first placed in production on or after January 1, 2010 that generate electricity by combusting biomass or biosolids from wastewater treatment.

• Requires biomass energy facilities to be valued using the income approach method based on power purchase agreements, similar to wind and solar energy facilities, rather than cost or market approaches.

• Directs the Public Utilities Commission to give full consideration to cost-effective biomass, biosolids, and municipal solid waste energy generation technologies when electric utilities request acquisition of new generation resources.

• Amends renewable energy standards to clarify that eligible energy resource definitions are fixed when a utility receives a permit or enters into a contract, preventing subsequent statutory or rule changes from affecting existing facilities or contracts.