Bighorn Solar in Colorado. Credit: McCarthy Building Cos.
The Colorado Renewable Energy Siting Coalition today celebrated the signing of Senate Bill 24-212 (Local Govs Renewable Energy Projects) by Colorado Governor Jared Polis. This bill provides resources for local governments to assess, site, and permit utility-scale renewable energy projects while considering community values, including impacts to land and wildlife.
Colorado has long been a climate leader and currently ranks seventh in per capita renewable energy production. To reach the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040, the state needs an estimate threefold increase in wind energy generation and a fivefold increase in solar energy generation. Surveys of Colorado residents continue to reinforce widespread interest in diversifying the state’s energy production
rcess with more renewable resources while protecting nature and other community values. Local governments, industry and government agencies must work together to get on the ground quickly and allow renewable energy projects while avoiding, minimizing and mitigating impacts on wildlife and maximizing benefits for communities. SB24-212 takes an important step to ensure that state agencies provide local governments with the resources and expertise to responsibly develop utility-scale renewable energy projects.
SB24-212 directs Colorado Parks and Wildlife to maintain publicly available maps of habitats where large-scale wind and solar development could negatively impact wildlife populations, and to update best management practices to avoid, minimize and mitigate the impact of projects in sensitive habitats. In addition, local governments are required to consult with tribal nations on projects proposed in Brunot Treaty territory, where tribes have treaty rights to hunt, fish and gather.
The new law also directs the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) to develop a repository of model regulations that can serve as templates for local governments to adopt policies that promote both renewable energy development and wildlife resources supports. In addition, the bill directs the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission to provide technical assistance to local governments in updating their land use codes and reviewing individual projects.
Between now and September 30, 2025, the CEO and the Department of Natural Resources will conduct a study to assess local government permitting processes to determine whether counties have the infrastructure and resources to establish and permit renewable energy projects in the pace and scale needed to meet Colorado’s renewable energy goals. The study will also assess the impact of renewable energy on nature and the steps taken to mitigate this impact, as well as the use of community benefits agreements to ensure that host communities see meaningful benefits from the project.
“Utility-scale wind, solar and battery projects are indispensable to reducing emissions from Colorado’s grid, especially as the state has committed to sourcing 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and achieving full power by 2050 carbon-free economy,” said Nelson Falkenburg. , clean energy site employee at CATF. “Direct engagement with communities coupled with technical assistance at the state level is critical to overcoming common barriers to clean energy deployment. This bill makes progress on both fronts while paving the way for future reforms.”
News release from Western Resource Advocates