Best Practices in Electric Utility Integrated Resource Planning

Regulatory Assistance Project
Completed June 2013

Synapse prepared a report for the Regulatory Assistance Project examining best practices in electric utility integrated resource planning. Synapse researched and discussed specific integrated resource plan (IRP) statutes, regulations, and processes in Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon; examined "model" utility IRPs from Arizona Public Service, Public Service Company of Colorado, and PacifiCorp; and developed recommendations for prudent integrated resource planning. Our report provided recommendations for both the IRP process and the elements that are analyzed and included in the resource plan itself. These elements include load forecast, reserves and reliability, demand-side management, supply options, fuel prices, existing resources, and environmental costs and constraints, among others.