20VAC5-301-30: Development of resource plan

If a utility chooses to establish a bidding program, that program must be an integral part of the utility's long-term resource plan. The information in a utility's resource plan should determine the size of solicitations, the timing of the need and many of the evaluation criteria.

An electric utility's need for capacity as identified in its Request for Proposal (RFP) should be consistent with its long-term resource plans. The capacity need identified by an investor-owned electric utility should be consistent with the resource plans filed most recently with the Commission. If the RFP is not consistent with the resource plan, the company must justify any differences before an RFP is issued.