Colorado State Legislature Approves Bill to Allow More Electric and Natural Gas Vehicle Fueling Stations

Online, April 24, 2012 (Newswire.com) - DENVER - The Colorado State Senate today approved a bill aimed at making it easier to set up refueling and recharging stations for natural gas and electric vehicles. The new law will make it easier for retail, fleet and community venues to provide spots for electric and compressed-natural gas vehicles to fuel up.

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association believes this legislation will serve the interests of the State of Colorado by increasing the use of domestic energy sources, and helping to provide Coloradans with energy choices for their transportation needs," said CCIA Executive Director Christine Shapard. "Most importantly, it fosters economic development by taking away unnecessary red tape and uncertainty when a retail business installs an electric vehicle charging station or natural gas fueling pump."

House Bill 1258 was designed to encourage market development of electric and natural gas vehicles and the associated charging and fueling infrastructure in Colorado. HB 1258, titled "Concerning Regulation of Public Utilities in Terms of Alternative Fuel Vehicles," will allow electric vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure in Colorado by allowing electric vehicle charging stations, natural gas (CNG/LNG) and propane to be sold for alternative fuel vehicles without being regulated by the state Public Utility Commission. This bill places these alternative fuels on par with gasoline and diesel in a competitive marketplace.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Cheri Jahn, D-Wheat Ridge and Representative Brian DelGrosso R-Loveland. It was supported by the Governor's Energy Office and Xcel Energy.

"CCIA appreciates the bipartisan support from the Colorado General Assembly to pass House Bill 1258 that sets the stage to allow expansion of electric and natural gas charging and fueling infrastructure in the state," said Shapard. "Bringing down regulatory barriers for business development in the cleantech space meets Governor Hickenlooper's mission of making it easier to do business in Colorado, and it puts the state on the radar of the vehicle manufacturing industry which is also important."

About CCIA
The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association represents the interests of the state's cleantech industry. Its mission is to further establish Colorado as a world leader in clean technology by providing representation and advocacy, a unified voice, relevant programming and capacity development. For more information, visit http://www.coloradocleantech.com.

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