3360 Energy Resource Conservation/Dvlmt Comm
Program Descriptions

10 - REGULATORY AND PLANNING PROGRAM

The Regulatory and Planning program facilitates markets in providing adequate statewide energy supplies. The program develops long-range projections of future energy supply and demand; maintains current information on statewide electrical generation, transmission, natural gas, and fuels markets; certifies power plant sites and designates transmission line corridors; monitors new energy facilities and fuel infrastructure for compliance and for supply and distribution adequacy consistent with state energy policies; develops state energy policy based on the economic, financial, security, safety, and environmental implications of supply, demand, and price assessments; and monitors energy markets to ensure competitive prices and to prevent potential market abuses.

10.10 - Power Plant Site Certification and Transmission Line Corridor Designation:
This program reviews power plant siting applications; ensures that power plant developers comply with conditions of certification and all applicable laws and regulations during the construction and operation of power plants; reviews applications for the designation of transmission line corridors; evaluates constraints and opportunities for energy resource development; and analyzes the reliability, efficiency, and environmental performance issues related to power plants and the state's electricity transmission grid.

10.20 - Electricity Resource Planning:
This program evaluates current and future electricity supply market trends and infrastructure needs; assesses the adequacy of electricity supplies; analyzes regulations and environmental issues related to electricity; addresses transmission line planning and permitting barriers; and provides information and recommendations to state agencies, electricity market participants, and the public. The natural gas component evaluates current and future natural gas market trends and infrastructure needs, assesses the adequacy of natural gas supplies, analyzes regulations and environmental issues related to natural gas, and leads interagency working groups to monitor short-term natural gas market trends.

10.30 - Demand Analysis:
This program collects and analyzes electricity and natural gas consumption data used to prepare energy demand forecasts; forecasts peak and total energy consumption by sector; and estimates the amount of energy conserved by existing and proposed program activities and impacts of standards, market, and price effects.