26 Del. Admin. Code § 3007-6.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 4, October 1, 2024

Section 3007-6.0 - Distribution Planning and Studies Report

6.1 Long Range Distribution Plan

6.1.1 As the entity responsible for the planning of its system, each EDC shall submit a Long Range Distribution Plan ("LRDP") to identify existing and potential future distribution system performance issues, and recommended solutions, for a minimum of ten (10) years to be refreshed every five (5) years. This plan is intended to serve as the strategic direction for an EDC's anticipated major initiatives. The LRDP shall be submitted, subject to subsection 6.3, by June 15th every fifth year. The first LRDP shall be submitted by June 15, 2022, for the effective period of 2023-2032.

6.1.2 The LRDP shall include:

6.1.2.1 An updated analysis populated with current and projected loads for the term of the LRDP, trending tables, set of limiting factors, and other criteria used to establish a project need.

6.1.2.2 A system evaluation of equipment and circuit loading compared to thermal limits, breaker operating capability, asset condition, and safety and environmental issues. Contingency (N-1) response capability will be analyzed at the substation level, and as appropriate, at the feeder level.

6.1.2.3 The specific programs and / or projects included in the LRDP will be longer-term initiatives that require multiple years from concept through implementation. The LRDP will include recommendations that provide a comprehensive solution to address projected system performance concerns. All proposed projects within the LRDP shall be supported by:

6.1.2.3.1 A detailed description of the system condition, recommended solutions, and anticipated timing of solution implementation;

6.1.2.3.2 A detailed comparison of recommended solutions to alternatives, including implementation of utility or third-party owned non-wires alternatives (NWA) as appropriate, in a manner that clearly identifies the reliable, and environmentally responsible investment; and

6.1.2.3.3 Current cost estimates, which may be at a budgetary level.

6.1.2.4 System capacity and voltage driven projects identified within the first five (5) years of the LRDP shall include a system engineering model covering the affected and adjoining areas that may be impacted by the proposed project.

6.1.2.5 Non-wires alternatives in whole, or in part, shall be considered as solutions to capacity and/or major asset condition related system performance issues. A project whose estimated cost exceeds $1,000,000 over the term of the LRDP shall be evaluated for a NWA.

6.2 Infrastructure, Safety and Reliability Plan

6.2.1 The EDC shall submit a proposed rolling 3-year Infrastructure, Safety, and Reliability Plan ("ISR") identifying proposed capital spending necessary to maintain the reliability and quality of its distribution services. Subject to subsection 6.3, the proposed ISR shall be submitted no later than March 31, 2020 or 90 days following the effective date of this regulation, whichever is later, and no later than March 31st every year thereafter. The initial report shall address 2020-2022, and subsequent reports will address the year in which it is submitted and two subsequent years. The proposed ISR shall be structured under the following major spending categories:

6.2.1.1 Mandatory

6.2.1.1.1 New business - Customer Requirements

6.2.1.1.2 Facility relocations

6.2.1.1.3 Required Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

6.2.1.1.4 Reliability - emergency failures

6.2.1.2 Non-Mandatory

6.2.1.2.1 System Capacity/Load

6.2.1.2.2 Asset Condition

6.2.1.2.3 Other Reliability

6.2.1.3 Vegetation Management

6.2.1.4 Inspection and Maintenance ("I&M") program

6.2.2 Mandatory spending shall include investments required to comply with customer requests, facility relocations, statutory and regulatory requirements, and to fix failed equipment. The proposed budgets may be for a combination of discrete projects and projects that are funded but whose specific scope has not yet been defined ("blanket projects").

6.2.3 Non-Mandatory spending shall include those projects, programs, or other investments, including NWAs, necessary to maintain or improve distribution services and not included in the Mandatory spending category. Projects or groups of related projects shall be supported with project authorization documents including detailed cost estimates. I&M and reliability-based programs shall be supported by guidelines or program documents. The proposed budgets may be for a combination of discrete projects and blanket projects.

6.2.4 To support each proposed annual budget, the proposed ISR shall describe: how the EDC developed the spending plan and levels; reference of applicable proposed projects to the LRDP, the justification, scope, and estimated cost, for each planned project of $1,000,000 or more; planned I&M activities and expected improvements; other planned reliability or maintenance programs; and planned vegetation management targets and activities.

6.2.5 The proposed ISR shall include the EDC's estimated cost of plant in service and cost of removal for each year of the three-year term.

6.2.6 For major projects or groups of related projects in the System Capacity/Load or Asset Condition categories that exceed $1,000,000 over the term of the ISR and were not included in the LRDP, the ISR will include the information required in subsections 6.1 .2.3 and 6.1.2.4.

6.3 Review and Acknowledgement

6.3.1 Each LRDP or ISR ("Plan") shall be submitted to the Staff and the DPA. Within the first 90 days following submission of each Plan, the EDC, Staff, and the DPA shall cooperate in good faith and schedule, if necessary, at least two sessions to meet and confer on the proposed Plan and discuss any proposed modifications.

6.3.2 No later than 120 days following the EDC's submission of each Plan to Staff and the DPA, the EDC shall file the proposed Plan with the Commission.

6.3.3 Staff and the DPA may submit comments to the Plan by filing those comments to the Commission within ten days of the EDC's filing of its proposed Plan.

6.3.4 The EDC has the right to file reply comments to Staff and the DPA comments within ten days of their filings to the proposed Plan.

6.3.5 The Commission shall acknowledge that the Plan and any associated comments has been filed and is consistent with the requirements of this regulation. Commission acknowledgement shall not constitute Commission pre-approval of any proposed capital spending necessary to maintain the reliability and quality of the EDC's distribution services.

6.3.6 Any party may challenge the EDC's attempt to recover the amounts spent.

6.3.7 The EDC's obligation to maintain reliability and quality of its distribution system may necessitate executing on the plan prior to the PSC's acknowledgement In executing the ISR Plan, the circumstances encountered during the year may require reasonable deviations from the filed ISR Plan.

26 Del. Admin. Code § 3007-6.0

23 DE Reg. 888 (4/1/2020) (Final)