CO SB061

Creates the Ratepayer Protection Act establishing a program to shield electric utility ratepayers from increased costs due to compliance with EPA's carbon dioxide emission regulations for existing fossil-fuel power plants.

Establishes the Ratepayer Protection Fund financed by annual General Fund appropriations to reimburse utilities for compliance costs rather than passing those costs to customers through rate increases.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to develop implementation procedures including quarterly reimbursements to utilities, guidance on cost allocation, and annual reports to the Joint Budget Committee by November 1 each year.

Mandates utilities separately identify compliance costs on customer bills and report amounts to the Commission, which then remits quarterly payments from the fund; if fund balance is insufficient, the State Treasurer transfers additional money from the General Fund.

Appropriates $164,310 to the Public Utilities Commission for fiscal year 2016-17 and conditions the money's availability on three events: the stay in Chamber of Commerce v. EPA being lifted by June 30, 2016, a favorable decision for EPA, and written notice from the Attorney General that final judgment is entered.