R8-60 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLANNING AND FILINGS
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to implement the provisions of G.S. 62‑2(3a) and G.S. 62‑110.1 with respect to least cost integrated resource planning by a public utility furnishing electric service in North Carolina that is not designed as an "electric public utility" under G.S. 62-110.9.
(b) Applicability. This rule is applicable to Virginia Electric and Power Company, d/b/a Dominion Energy North Carolina.
(c) Integrated Resource Plan. Each utility shall develop and keep current an integrated resource plan, which incorporates, at a minimum, the following:
(1) a 15-year forecast of native load requirements (including any off-system obligations approved for native load treatment by the Commission) and other system capacity or firm energy obligations extending through at least one summer or winter peak (other system obligations); supply-side (including owned/leased generation capacity and firm purchased power arrangements) and demand-side resources expected to satisfy those loads; and the reserve margin thus produced; and
(2) a comprehensive analysis of all resource options (supply-and demand-side) considered by the utility for satisfaction of native load requirements and other system obligations over the planning period, including those resources chosen by the utility to provide reliable electric utility service at least cost over the planning period.
Each utility shall include an assessment of demand‑side management and energy efficiency in its integrated resource plan. G.S. 62‑133.9(c). In addition, each utility's consideration of supply-side and demand-side resources, including alternative supply-side energy resources, and the provision of reliable electric utility service at least cost shall appropriately consider and incorporate the utility's obligation to comply with the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS). G.S. 62‑133.8.
(d) Purchased Power. As part of its integrated resource planning process, each utility shall assess on an on-going basis the potential benefits of soliciting proposals from wholesale power suppliers and power marketers to supply it with needed capacity.
(e) Alternative Supply-Side Energy Resources. As part of its integrated resource planning process, each utility shall assess on an on-going basis the potential benefits of reasonably available alternative supply-side energy resource options. Alternative supply-side energy resources include, but are not limited to, hydro, wind, geothermal, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, municipal solid waste, fuel cells, and biomass.
(f) Demand-Side Management. As part of its integrated resource planning process, each utility shall assess on an on-going basis programs to promote demand‑side management, including costs, benefits, risks, uncertainties, reliability and customer acceptance, where appropriate. For purposes of this rule, demand-side management consists of demand response programs and energy efficiency and conservation programs.
(g) Evaluation of Resource Options. As part of its integrated resource planning process, each utility shall consider and compare a comprehensive set of potential resource options, including both demand-side and supply-side options, to determine an integrated resource plan that offers the least cost combination (on a long-term basis) of reliable resource options for meeting the anticipated needs of its system. The utility shall analyze potential resource options and combinations of resource options to serve its system needs, taking into account the sensitivity of its analysis to variations in future estimates of peak load, energy requirements, and other significant assumptions, including, but not limited to, the risks associated with wholesale markets, fuel costs, construction/implementation costs, transmission and distribution costs, and costs of complying with environmental regulation. Additionally, the utility's analysis should take into account, as applicable, system operations, environmental impacts, and other qualitative factors.
(h) Filings.
(1) By October 15, 2024, and every two years thereafter, each utility subject to this rule shall file with the Commission its then current integrated resource plan, together with all information required by subsection (i) of this rule. This biennial report shall cover the next succeeding two-year period.
(2) By October 15 of each year in which a biennial report is not required to be filed, an update report shall be filed with the Commission containing an updated 15-year forecast of the items described in subparagraph (c)(1), as well as a summary of any significant amendments or revisions to the most recently filed biennial report, including amendments or revisions to the type and size of resources identified, as applicable.
(3) Each biennial and update report filed shall be accompanied by a short-term action plan that discusses those specific actions currently being taken by the utility to implement the activities chosen as appropriate per the applicable biennial and update reports.
(4) If a utility considers certain information in its biennial or update report to be proprietary, confidential, and within the scope of G.S. 132-1.2, the utility may designate the information as "confidential" and file it under seal.
(i) Contents of Biennial Reports. Each utility shall include in each biennial report the following:
(1) Forecasts of Load, Supply-Side Resources, and Demand-Side Resources. The forecasts filed by each utility as part of its biennial report shall include descriptions of the methods, models, and assumptions used by the utility to prepare its peak load (MW) and energy sales (MWh) forecasts and the variables used in the models. In the biennial reports, the forecasts filed by each utility shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(i) The most recent ten-year history and a forecast of customers by each customer class, the most recent ten-year history and a forecast of energy sales (MWh) by each customer class, and the most recent ten-year history and a forecast of the utility's summer and winter peak load (MW);
(ii) A tabulation of the utility's forecast for at least a 15-year period, including peak loads for summer and winter seasons of each year, annual energy forecasts, reserve margins, and load duration curves, with and without projected supply or demand-side resource additions. The tabulation shall also indicate the projected effects of demand response and energy efficiency programs and activities on the forecasted annual energy and peak loads on an annual basis for a 15‑year period, and these effects also may be reported as an equivalent generation capacity impact; and
(iii) Where future supply-side resources are required, a description of the type of capacity/resource (MW rating, fuel source, base, intermediate, or peaking) that the utility proposes to use to address the forecasted need.
(2) Generating Facilities. Each utility shall provide the following data for its existing and planned electric generating facilities (including planned additions and retirements, but excluding cogeneration and small power production):
(i) Existing Generation. The utility shall provide a list of existing units in service, with the information specified below for each listed unit. The information shall be provided for a 15-year period beginning with the year of filing:
a. Type of fuel(s) used;
b. Type of unit (e.g., base, intermediate, or peaking);
c. Location of each existing unit;
d. A list of units to be retired from service with location, capacity and expected date of retirement from the system;
e. A list of units for which there are specific plans for life extension, refurbishment or upgrading. The reporting utility shall also provide the expected (or actual) date removed from service, general location, capacity rating upon return to service, expected return to service date, and a general description of work to be performed; and
f. Other changes to existing generating units that are expected to increase or decrease generation capability of the unit in question by an amount that is plus or minus 10%, or 10 MW, whichever is greater.
(ii) Planned Generation Additions. Each utility shall provide a list of planned generation additions, the rationale as to why each listed generation addition was selected, and a 15-year projection of the following for each listed addition:
a. Type of fuel(s) used;
b. Type of unit (e.g. MW rating, baseload, intermediate, peaking);
c. Location of each planned unit to the extent such location has been determined; and
d. Summaries of the analyses supporting any new generation additions included in its 15-year forecast, including its designation as base, intermediate, or peaking capacity.
(iii) Non-Utility Generation. Each utility shall provide a separate and updated list of all non-utility electric generating facilities in its service areas, including customer-owned and stand-by generating facilities. This list shall include the facility name, location, primary fuel type, and capacity (including its designation as base, intermediate, or peaking capacity). The utility shall also indicate which facilities are included in its total supply of resources. If any of this information is readily accessible in documents already filed with the Commission, the utility may incorporate by reference the document or documents in its report, so long as the utility provides the docket number and the date of filing.
(3) Reserve Margins. The utility shall provide a calculation and analysis of its winter and summer peak reserve margins over the projected 15-year period. To the extent the margins produced in a given year differ from target reserve margins by plus or minus 3%, the utility shall explain the reasons for the difference.
(4) Wholesale Contracts for the Purchase and Sale of Power.
(i) The utility shall provide a list of firm wholesale purchased power contracts reflected in the biennial report, including the primary fuel type, capacity (including its designation as base, intermediate, or peaking capacity), location, expiration date, and volume of purchases actually made since the last biennial report for each contract.
(ii) The utility shall discuss the results of any Request for Proposals (RFP) for purchased power it has issued since its last biennial report. This discussion shall include a description of each RFP, the number of entities responding to the RFP, the number of proposals received, the terms of the proposals, and an explanation of why the proposals were accepted or rejected.
(iii) The utility shall include a list of the wholesale power sales contracts for the sale of capacity or firm energy for which the utility has committed to sell power during the planning horizon, the identity of each wholesale entity to which the utility has committed itself to sell power during the planning horizon, the number of megawatts (MW) on an annual basis for each contract, the length of each contract, and the type of each contract (e.g., native load priority, firm, etc.).
(5) Transmission Facilities. Each utility shall include a list of transmission lines and other associated facilities (161 kV or over) which are under construction or for which there are specific plans to be constructed during the planning horizon, including the capacity and voltage levels, location, and schedules for completion and operation. The utility shall also include a discussion of the adequacy of its transmission system (161 kV and above).
(6) Demand-Side Management. Each utility shall provide the results of its overall assessment of existing and potential demand-side management programs, including a descriptive summary of each analysis performed or used by the utility in the assessment. The utility also shall provide general information on any changes to the methods and assumptions used in the assessment since its last biennial report.
(i) For demand-side programs available at the time of the report, the utility shall provide the following information for each resource: the type of resource (demand response or energy efficiency); the capacity and energy available in the program; number of customers enrolled in each program; the number of times the utility has called upon the resource; and, where applicable, the capacity reduction realized each time since the previous biennial report. The utility shall also list any demand-side resource it has discontinued since its previous biennial report and the reasons for that discontinuance.
(ii) For demand-side management programs it proposes to implement within the biennium for which the report is filed, the utility shall provide the following information for each resource: the type of resource (demand response and energy efficiency); a description of the new program and the target customer segment; the capacity and energy expected to be available from the program; projected customer acceptance; the date the program will be launched; and the rationale as to why the program was selected.
(iii) For programs evaluated but rejected the utility shall provide the following information for each resource considered: the type of resource (demand response or energy efficiency); a description of the program and the target customer segment; the capacity and energy available from the program; projected customer acceptance; and reasons for the program's rejection.
(iv) For consumer education programs the utility shall provide a comprehensive list of all such programs the utility currently provides to its customers, or proposes to implement within the biennium for which the report is filed, including a description of the program, the target customer segment, and the utility's promotion of the education program. The utility shall also provide a list of any educational program it has discontinued since its last biennial report and the reasons for discontinuance.
(7) Assessment of Alternative Supply-Side Energy Resources. The utility shall include its current overall assessment of existing and potential alternative supply-side energy resources, including a descriptive summary of each analysis performed or used by the utility in the assessment. The utility shall also provide general information on any changes to the methods and assumptions used in the assessment since its most recent biennial or update report.
(i) For the currently operational or potential future alternative supply-side energy resources included in each utility's plan, the utility shall provide information on the capacity and energy actually available or projected to be available, as applicable, from the resource. The utility shall also provide this information for any actual or potential alternative supply‑side energy resources that have been discontinued from its plan since its last biennial report and the reasons for that discontinuance.
(ii) For alternative supply-side energy resources evaluated but rejected, the utility shall provide the following information for each resource considered: a description of the resource; the potential capacity and energy associated with the resource; and the reasons for the rejection of the resource.
(8) Evaluation of Resource Options. Each utility shall provide a description and a summary of the results of its analyses of potential resource options and combinations of resource options performed by it pursuant to subsection (g) of this rule to determine its integrated resource plan.
(9) Levelized Busbar Costs. Each utility shall provide information on levelized busbar costs for various generation technologies.
(j) Contents of Update Reports. In addition to the information required by sections (h)(2)-(4) of this rule, each utility shall include in its update report data and tables that provide the following data for the planning horizon: (1) the information required by sections (i)(1) and (2) of this rule, including the utility's load forecast adjusted for the impacts of any new energy efficiency programs, existing generating capacity with planned additions, uprates, derates, and retirements, planned purchase contracts, undesignated future resources identified by type of generation and MW rating, renewable capacity, demand-side management capacity, and any resource gap; (2) cumulative resource additions necessary to meet load obligation and reserve margins; and (3) projections of load, capacity, and reserves for both the summer and winter periods. A total system IRP may be filed in lieu of an update report for purposes of compliance with this section.
(k) Review of Biennial Reports. Within 150 days after the later of either October 15 or the filing of each utility's biennial report, the Public Staff or any other intervenor may file an integrated resource plan or report of its own as to any utility or may file an evaluation of or comments on the reports filed by the utilities, or both. The Public Staff or any intervenor may identify any issue that it believes should be the subject of an evidentiary hearing. Within 60 days after the filing of initial comments, the parties may file reply comments addressing any substantive or procedural issue raised by any other party. A hearing to address issues raised by the Public Staff or other intervenors may be scheduled at the discretion of the Commission. The scope of any such hearing shall be limited to such issues as identified by the Commission. One or more hearings to receive testimony from the public, as required by law, shall be set at a time and place designated by the Commission.
(l) Review of Update Reports. Within 60 days after the later of either October 15 or the filing of each utility's update report required by section (j) of this rule, the Public Staff or any other intervenor may file an update report of its own as to any utility. Further, within the same time period the Public Staff shall report to the Commission whether each utility's update report meets the requirements of this rule. Intervenors may request leave from the Commission to file comments. Comments will be received or expert witness hearings held on the update reports only if the Commission deems it necessary. The scope of any comments or expert witness hearing shall be limited to issues identified by the Commission. One or more hearings to receive testimony from the public, as required by law, shall be set at a time and place designated by the Commission.
(m) By January 15 of each year, each utility individually or jointly shall hold a meeting to review its biennial or update report with interested parties.
(NCUC Docket No. E-100, Sub 54, 12/8/88; NCUC Docket No. E-100, Sub 78A, 04/29/98; 08/11/98; NCUC Docket No. M-100, Sub 128, 10/27/99; NCUC Docket No. E‑100, Sub 113, 2/29/08; NCUC Docket No. E-100, Sub 113, 3/13/08; NCUC Docket No. E-100, Sub 126, 4/11/2012; NCUC Docket No. M-100, Sub 140, 12/03/13; NCUC Docket No.E-100, Sub 111, 7/20/2015; NCUC Docket No. E-100, Sub 126, 6/13/2016; NCUC Docket Nos. E-100, Subs 126 & 157; 11/13/2019; NCUC Docket No. E-100, Sub 191; 11/21/2023; NCUC Docket No. E-100, Sub 196 2/8/2024.)