CO HB1299

Directs the Transportation Legislation Review Committee (TLRC) to hold a hearing on or before December 1, 2017, to examine economic benefits and costs of requiring energy storage systems (batteries, heat sinks, pumped hydro) in electric utility resource planning.

Defines energy storage systems as commercially available technology capable of absorbing, storing, and dispatching energy through mechanical, chemical, or thermal processes, which may be centralized or distributed and owned by utilities, customers, third parties, or jointly.

Requires the TLRC to invite Colorado Public Utilities Commission members, Colorado electric service provider representatives, and interested public members to participate in panel discussions and accept written questions from the public.

Establishes findings that energy storage systems may improve grid reliability, optimize renewable energy use, reduce costs to ratepayers, decrease expensive peak-load generation, and provide ancillary services.

Section is repealed effective July 1, 2018, making this a temporary measure for the 2017 interim period.