SB 1021: Electric utilities; integrated resource plans, Phase I or Phase II files updated plans, etc.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Electric utilities; integrated resource plans. Makes various changes related to the content and process for an integrated resource plan (IRP) developed by an electric utility that provides a forecast of its load obligations and a plan to meet those obligations. The bill (i) extends the planning timeframe from 15 to 20 years; (ii) requires Appalachian Power to file an IRP by removing an exception from the definition of "electric utility"; (iii) changes the frequency a utility is required to file an IRP from biennially to triennially; and (iv) requires utilities to consider the use of grid-enhancing technologies as alternatives to new transmission infrastructure, and when new transmission lines are envisioned, to provide the reasons grid-enhancing technologies are not sufficient to defer or eliminate the need for new transmission infrastructure.The bill requires that the current stakeholder review process for integrated resource plans be facilitated by a third-party facilitator selected by the State Corporation Commission and compensated by the utility. The bill requires, as part of the stakeholder review process, the utility to provide stakeholders with reasonable access to the same modeling software, modeling assumptions, modeling inputs, and data used by the utility to evaluate supply and demand resources in its integrated resource plan to enable stakeholders to create modeling scenarios for the utility's consideration during the development of its integrated resource plan.The bill requires the Commission to (a) establish guidelines that ensure that utilities develop comprehensive integrated resource plans and provide meaningful public engagement and maximum transparency during the planning process; (b) conduct a proceeding by July 1, 2026, and at least once every five years thereafter, to identify and review each of its existing orders relevant to integrated resource plans to determine if such orders remain necessary and effective and are not overly burdensome; and (c) to convene a work group to make recommendations on the required guidelines.Finally, the bill requires any petition to permit the construction and operation of electrical generating facilities filed by an electric utility that is required to file an integrated resource plan to (1) incorporate the intent to construct and operate such generating facilities or (2) if the utility's intent to construct and operate such generating facilities was not identified in the utility's most recently approved integrated resource plan, provide a detailed explanation of why the utility did not anticipate the need for such generating facilities.As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to HB 2413.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 2, 2025Senate sustained Governor's veto
2. April 2, 2025Passed by for the day
3. March 24, 2025Vetoed by Governor
4. March 20, 2025Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB1021)
5. March 11, 2025Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
6. March 11, 2025Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025
7. March 10, 2025Signed by President
8. March 7, 2025Signed by Speaker
9. March 7, 2025Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB1021ER)
10. March 7, 2025Enrolled
11. February 21, 2025Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 19-N)
12. February 21, 2025Conference report agreed to by House (65-Y 31-N)

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history