RICHMOND — The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has adopted revised rules governing utility rate applications and proposals to construct electric generating facilities. The SCC also established guidelines for Virginia’s investor-owned electric utilities to develop integrated resource plans.
The revisions to the regulations for utility rate applications accommodate statutory changes for electric utility rate adjustments enacted by the General Assembly in 2007. The need to make changes provided the SCC with an opportunity to update and reform the rules generally applicable to all utilities whose rates are subject to the Commission’s ratemaking authority. The new rules are effective on January 1, 2009.
In a second order, the SCC adopted revised regulations governing applications to construct and operate electric generating facilities in the Commonwealth. The new rules reflect statutory changes enacted in 2007 that require electric utilities, once again, establish convenience and necessity, or “need” as a prerequisite to the Commission’s approval and certification of any electric generation facility proposed by a utility. The changes also streamline the certification process for generation facilities under 50 megawatts and renewable energy facilities under 100 megawatts. The new rules are effective on January 15, 2009.
In a third order, the SCC established guidelines for investor-owned electric utilities in developing initial integrated resource plans that will be submitted to the Commission by September 1, 2009. An integrated resource plan is a forecast of a utility’s electric power demand obligations and a plan to meet those obligations by supply side and demand side resources over the ensuing 15 years to promote reasonable prices, reliable service, energy independence, and environmental responsibility.
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Case Number PUE-2008-00001 Revised Utility Rate Case Rules
Case Number PUE-2008-00066 Revised Rules for Applications to Construct and
Operate Electric Generating Facilities
Case Number PUE-2008-00099 Guidelines for Developing Electric Utility Integrated Resource Plans
Note: Commissioner James C. Dimitri did not participate in these cases.