New Bill Unveiled in Colorado to Tackle Energy Affordability and Reliability
Advanced Energy United revives the Colorado Grid Optimization Act to modernize the state’s transmission system
DENVER, CO— House Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Sean Camacho introduced the Colorado Grid Optimization Act, HB 1081, legislation designed to quickly unlock more affordable energy by making better use of the state’s existing electric infrastructure. This legislation comes at a critical moment as electricity demand rises, costs increase for ratepayers, and there is a growing need to reduce wildfire risks and related power shut-offs.
“This bill is about speed to power and saving money,” said Emilie Olson, Colorado lead at Advanced Energy United. “These proven tools provide a near-term solution to optimize existing transmission lines. Eliminating bottlenecks and inefficiencies in how Coloradans receive their energy will make electricity more affordable now, without waiting a decade or costing ratepayers an arm and a leg.”
Unlike new transmission lines, which can take a decade or more to plan and build, advanced transmission technologies (ATTs) can be quickly deployed on existing infrastructure at a fraction of the cost and time, with near-immediate results. ATTs — such as dynamic line ratings, power flow controllers, and advanced conductors — can nearly double the existing capacity of the transmission system, reduce grid congestion, prevent dangerous wildfires, and deliver energy more efficiently to where it is needed.
“Everyone is grappling with rising costs, and electricity bills are now true kitchen table issues,” said Rep. Camacho. “We have a responsibility to lead by example and focus on practical solutions to secure our grid, reduce energy waste and optimize infrastructure spending, and move low-cost energy to where it’s needed, faster. This bill does exactly that.”
The Colorado Grid Optimization Act would require utilities to evaluate the benefits of advanced transmission technologies and incorporate them into their long-term transmission planning, providing regulators and stakeholders with insights about all the available economic options for managing grid needs instead of relying solely on investments in new infrastructure, which is more expensive. To date, advanced transmission technologies have largely been overlooked in transmission planning considerations, leaving significant potential ratepayer savings on the table. As demand grows and bills climb, it’s critical to take practical action now to manage growing strain on the electric grid.
“This legislation ensures Coloradans can get full value from every grid investment,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran. “The transmission technologies described in this bill can reduce pressure on rates, make our grid more reliable and stronger, and quickly add more affordable clean energy to the grid.”