Public hearing on adequacy of plan; determination by Commission.
1. Not more than 60 days after a utility has filed its plan, the Commission shall convene a public hearing on the adequacy of the plan.
2. At the hearing any interested person may make comments to the Commission regarding the contents and adequacy of the plan.
3. After the hearing the Commission shall determine whether:
(a) The forecast requirements of the utility are based on substantially accurate data and an adequate method of forecasting.
(b) The plan identifies and takes into account any present and projected reductions in the demand for energy that may result from measures to improve energy efficiency in the industrial, commercial, residential and energy producing sectors of the area being served.
(c) The plan adequately demonstrates the economic, environmental and other benefits to this state and to the customers of the utility, associated with the following possible measures and sources of supply:
(1) Improvements in energy efficiency;
(2) Pooling of power;
(3) Purchases of power from neighboring states or countries;
(4) Facilities that operate on solar or geothermal energy or wind;
(5) Facilities that operate on the principle of cogeneration or hydrogeneration; and
(6) Other generation facilities.
4. The Commission may give preference to the measures and sources of supply set forth in paragraph (c) of subsection 3 that:
(a) Provide the greatest economic and environmental benefits to the State;
(b) Are consistent with the provisions of this section; and
(c) Provide levels of service that are adequate and reliable.
5. The Commission shall:
(a) Adopt regulations which determine the level of preference to be given to those measures and sources of supply; and
(b) Consider the value to the public of using water efficiently when it is determining those preferences.
Last modified: February 26, 2006