Department of Energy seeks clearer authority in bill that PUC says could shift costs

The Science, Technology and Energy Committee heard competing testimony March 3 on House Bill 266, legislation from Representative Michael Harrington that would adjust statutory language governing how the newly formed Department of Energy participates in Public Utilities Commission (PUC) proceedings.

The bill’s prime sponsor, Representative Michael Harrington, told the committee HB 266 would make specific statutory changes implemented during the department’s 2021 creation and asked the Department of Energy to explain the requested edits.

Chris Elms, deputy commissioner, Department of Energy, told the panel the department asked for the bill to remove what it views as unnecessary “guardrails” left over from the 2021 reorganization and to make clear that the department can determine which proceedings it will participate in. “This bill was submitted…at the request of the Department of Energy,” Elms said, asking the committee to permit the department to decide when it will file a notice of participation and what evidence it will place in the record.

David Schuloc…