This document is 'Chapter 7.1: Electricity Resource Planning and Procurement' of the Energy and Environment Guide to Action. Most states require utilities to engage in a form of electricity resource planning to substantiate that the utility's plans for meeting demand for electricity services are in the public interest. Planning processes vary greatly across states, but are most commonly accomplished through processes that consider costs, benefits, and risks over the long term, including integrated resource planning or integrated resource plans and power plant investment preapprovals through a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).

This chapter provides recommendations on designing, implementing, and evaluating electricity resource planning policies. State success stories are included for reference.

To learn more about electricity resource planning and procurement, read Chapter 7.1. See the full Energy and Environment Guide to Action.

• Chapter 7.1: Electricity Resource Planning and Procurement (PDF)(39 pp, 2 MB)