Thursday, February 7, 2008

Solano Optimistic About Net Metering Bill

Rep. Judy Solano, D-Thornton, is optimistic that her bill to require municipal utilities and rural electric cooperatives to provide "net metering" to customers generating their own power will get to the Governor.

"The hold-up is there's so many people working on this," Solano said in an interview with Colorado Capitol Journal this afternoon. She said that utilities, environmental groups and business organizations have been involved in negotiations on the bill.

Passage of the bill, HB 1160, in the house will be facilitated by the agreement with Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, to resolve concerns about those utilities' ability to recover certain costs, according to Solano.

"The agreement will be put in an amendment in the Senate," she said. "It's really a matter of timing."

HB 1160 faces a third and final vote in the House Friday. Solano said she is confident the bill has enough votes to move on to the Senate.