Net Metering Bill Introduced

Rep. Judy Solano (D-Thornton) and Sen. Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) have introduced a bill that would allow customers of rural electric cooperatives to get a lower electric bill from the utility if they generate renewable energy at home or a business.

HB 1160 requires the electric cooperatives to grant credit for the retail value of the electricity generated by, for example, solar panels or windmills to a homeowner or business owner that installs and uses those facilities.

The House took up a similar bill last year, but sponsors were not able to move it through the Senate.

Gov. Bill Ritter expressed support for the concept in his recent State of the State address.