The role of state regulatory commissions in utility integrated resource planning

Conference · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5617824

Hirst, E

Integrated resource planning is important for electric utilities and their state regulatory commissions. Although much has been written about the obligations of the utilities, little has been published concerning the roles and responsibilities of public utility commissions. This paper discusses several issues that merit further consideration: (1) protection of utility from prudency reviews associated with decisions to construct resources included in approved plans; (2) definition of the appropriate economic test(s) to be used in assessing demand-side programs; (3) review of alternative treatments of utility conservation-program costs (e.g., capitalizing vs expensing); (4) inclusion of marketing efforts, economic development, and competition in the integrated planning process; (5) treatment of uncertainty about the performance of resources and the utility's external environment; (6) consideration of environmental, social, and political factors related to different resources; and (7) development of appropriate staffing and funding levels needed by commissions to properly review utility plans. This paper seeks to stimulate discussion about structuring regulation to encourage (rather than require) utilities to develop integrated planning processes and plans. Better planning is likely to reduce energy-service costs for customers, increase flexibility for utilities and commissions, and decrease controversies over future resource acquisition. 27 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5617824
• Report Number(s): CONF-8711119-1; ON: DE88003990
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320603 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Public Utilities-- (1980-)
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
PLANNING
PUBLIC UTILITIES
REGULATIONS
STATE GOVERNMENT