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Integrated Resource Planning

Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) is a long-term planning process- a 20 year forecast prepared by a utility to guide future generation, transmission, and distribution investments. The goal of the process is the selection of the “optimal” set of resources given future expected costs and risks. IRPs describe how the utility plans to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient electricity at just and reasonable rates. These plans must be in the public interest and consistent with state energy and environmental policies. Each utility’s IRP explains how it will use existing and future resources to meet customer demand. IRPs are subject to a stakeholder process in which the utility hosts several public meetings in which interested parties and industry stakeholders can weigh-in and provide feedback to the utility. When selecting these resources, the utility must consider a broad range of potential future conditions and variables and select a combination that would provide reliable service in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

In Indiana, jurisdictional electric utilities are required to submit an IRP every three years according to Indiana Code 8-1-8.5-3(e)(2). To learn more about Indiana’s IRPs: