Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 515 - RULES OF GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Chapter 515-3 - GENERAL RULES
Subject 515-3-4 - INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLANNING
Rule 515-3-4-.06 - Integrated Resource Plan Filing Requirements and Procedures

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 515-3-4-.06

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) On or before January 31, 1992, and every three years thereafter, each utility shall file a twenty year integrated resource plan with the Commission (twenty-five copies) and an application for approval of that plan. The application for review and approval of the plan shall clearly identify:

(a) The name of the applicant(s) and address(es) of the principal place of business of the applicant;

(b) The name, title, address, voice phone, and facsimile phone number of the person authorized to receive notices and communications with respect to the application;

(c) The location(s) that the public may inspect a copy of the application; and

(d) Requests by the utility that any information utilized in the plan which the utility deems trade secret be filed in accordance with the Commission's Trade Secret Rule 515-3-1-.11.

(2) Copies of the executive summary and technical volumes shall be made available by the utility for public inspection at its region offices located throughout the state.

(3) Plan Filing: Specific Requirements. Plan filings must contain the following information:

(a) Executive Summary. Each utility shall prepare an Executive Summary, separately bound and suitable for distribution to the public, which shall be a non-technical description of the plan. This document shall summarize the contents of the Technical Volume(s). The summary shall include:
1. A brief introduction describing the utility, its existing facilities, purchase power arrangements, demand-side programs, and the purpose of the plan;

2. A description of the utility's relationship to the utility enterprise and to other utilities in regional associations, power pools and networks;

3. The base case forecast growth in peak demand and energy for the next twenty years, with and without utility demand-side programs, and a listing of the economic and demographic assumptions associated with each;

4. A summary of the system configurations proposed to meet expected energy service needs for the next twenty years, clearly showing the demand-side resources and supply-side resources contained in each. For each resource, the utility shall indicate its anticipated timing, magnitude, and cost;

5. A description of the major research projects and programs the utility will continue or commence during the ensuing three-year period, and the reasons for their selection;

6. A schedule for the acquisition of data, including planned activities to update and refine the quality of data used in forecasting, and budget for such acquisition;

7. A section describing any plans to acquire new or additional models for forecasting, or resource integration analysis and evaluation;

8. A tabulation of all costs associated with the development of the plan;

9. A tabulation of costs for which the utility will seek recovery and the method and timing of that recovery; and

10. Such other information as the Commission may determine appropriate.

(b) Technical Volume(s). Each utility shall prepare Technical volume(s) which shall include:
1. The information required by Rules 515-3-4-.03 through 515-3-4-.05:

2. A description detailing the relationship of the utility to the utility enterprise and to other utilities in regional associations, power pools and networks. The utility shall explain how planning and operation are coordinated among the utilities. The utility shall describe the terms of any contracts or agreements that govern the functioning of the enterprise, associations, power pools or networks;

3. A description of all major research projects and programs which will continue or commence within the next three years after filing the plan; and

4. Any other information as may be required by the Commission.

(c) Technical Appendix. A utility's plan must include a technical appendix. The appendix must contain the following:
1. Sufficient detail to enable the technically proficient reader to understand how the plan and its forecasts were prepared and to verify the adequacy and accuracy of the assumptions, data and the methods used in developing the plan;

2. All significant information used in the plan; and

3. Documentation, inputs, and summary outputs for all models and formulas used.

(d) Waiver of Information. If, after a good-faith effort, the utility cannot provide the data required by these rules, the utility must request a waiver, in writing. This request must be filed no less than 60 days prior to the filing of the plan. The utility must publish in appropriate media of mass dissemination that it has applied for a waiver. The request shall include:
1. Reference to the requirement for information that is the subject of the waiver request;

2. An explanation of the reasons the required information was impractical to supply; and

3. Proposed substitute information, if applicable.

If no waiver is granted, materials must be filed as required in the rules.

(4) Hearing and Review of Integrated Resource Plans.

(a) Proceedings. The Commission shall commence a hearing within sixty days of receipt of a utility's complete integrated resource plan;

(b) Completeness of the Utility Plan. The commission shall determine whether the utility plan is complete within thirty days following the initial submission of the plan by the utility. The Commission will inform the utility of substantive defects in the content of the plan which would materially affect the Commission's ability to continue the plan review process. If the Commission finds as a matter of fact that the utility plan is not complete, by Order of the Commission the review process may be stayed until the utility has submitted a complete plan.

(c) Fees. Within sixty days after receipt of the complete plan, the Commission shall establish a fee therefor and notify the applicant. Upon receipt of the fee from the applicant, the Commission shall continue its review of the plan; and

(d) Standard for Approval. Based upon the evidence of record presented at the hearing on the plan, the Commission shall render a decision either approving the plan, approving it subject to stated conditions, approving it with modifications, approving it in part and rejecting it in part, rejecting it as filed, or provide an alternate plan, within one-hundred-twenty days of receipt of fees related to the utility's completed application. A utility's integrated resource plan shall be approved if found to be in the public interest and to substantially comply with these regulations.

(5) Amendment of the plan. The utility shall submit an amendment to its plan before it submits its next plan if within the first three years of the approved integrated resource plan:

(a) It anticipates submitting an application for a certificate to construct or purchase a supply-side capacity resource which was not previously approved as part of the integrated resource plan;

(b) It anticipates the need to release an RFP, or make a binding commitment for the acquisition or construction of a demand resource or supply resource excepted from the RFP process, which was not previously approved as part of the integrated resource plan;

(c) The basic data used in the formulation of its last approved plan requires significant modification which affects the choice of a resource or use of an RFP which was approved as part of the integrated resource plan; and

(d) It finds that other conditions warrant amendment of the plan. The conditions under which such an amendment is sought shall be specifically set forth in the application for amendment.

(6) Subsequent Plans. Once a plan has been approved, the Commission may limit the scope of issues it will consider in the review of subsequent plans to those issues directly related to material changes.

Ga. L. 1878-79 p. 125; 1907, pp. 72-81; 1922 pp. 142-147; 1975 pp. 404-412; 1991 pp. 1696-1705.

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