• What is an IRP?
  An Integrated Resource Plan, or IRP, studies the supply-side (e.g., generation, energy storage), demand-side (e.g., energy efficiency, demand response), and transmission investments that an electric utility may need to make over an extended period (e.g., the next ten to twenty years) to provide reliable, environmentally compliant and cost-effective service to customers under a range of scenarios.
• Why is an IRP important?
  The costs to buy or generate electricity represent approximately half of a customer’s bill. Decisions regarding power plants (build or retire) and transmission investments are long-term commitments involving billions of dollars in capital and operating expenses. As LIPA transitions to a carbon-free grid, it will need to make major changes to its current power supply portfolio. The IRP provides a robust planning framework that will help LIPA determine the mix of energy resources and transmission system enhancements needed to continue to provide reliable, environmentally compliant and cost-effective electric service. 
• What are some key considerations of an IRP?
  An IRP considers customer usage trends, existing resources, policy and regulatory requirements and potential developments, changing technology, risks, opportunities, and costs, among others. An IRP develops optimal, least-cost resource plans that meet applicable system reliability planning criteria and other key constraints, such as environmental laws and regulations, under a range of uncertainties. If a resource need (supply-side, demand-side, or transmission) is identified, the utility may then run a competitive procurement to identify alternatives that best meet that need.
• How often are IRPs developed?
  Typically, given the significant analytical efforts required, IRPs are developed every 3 – 5 years.
• What is the study period of LIPA’s 2022 IRP?
  The current IRP will have a study period of 2022 – 2040 with the primary focus being the period of 2022 – 2030 to identify the need for near-term actions and decisions.
• What is the schedule for the 2022 IRP?
  The current IRP will begin in June 2021 and will be completed in Q3 of 2022.
• When was LIPA’s last IRP developed and what were the conclusions?
  LIPA’s last IRP was released in 2017. The 2017 IRP determined that LIPA would not need to add generation to meet load growth through at least 2035, and so the decision was made to forego new fossil-fueled generation. View LIPA’s Energy Guide: 2017 Long Island Integrated Resource Plan and Repowering Studies.
• What has changed since the last IRP?
  In July 2019, New York State enacted sweeping new legislation - the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (“CLCPA”) - setting more stringent clean energy and climate targets. With the CLCPA as the backdrop, the 2022 IRP will build on previous work and identify the actions needed to continue on the path towards transitioning Long Island’s, including the Rockaways’, electric generation away from fossil fuels as early as 2035 but no later than 2040. Transitioning to a carbon-free grid means both adding new clean sources of energy and retiring older, fossil-fueled power plants. The IRP will provide guidance as to the order, amount, and timing of such power resource additions and retirements.
• What is New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA)?
  The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) is a New York State law that was enacted in July 2019, and which will have a significant impact on all utilities in New York State, including LIPA. Among other goals, the CLCPA targets:
   
  
  • 70% of electricity consumed in the state by 2030 be produced with renewable energy;
  • addition of 6,000 MW of distributed solar by 2025;
  • addition of 3,000 MW of energy storage by 2030;
  • addition of 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035;
  • 100% zero-carbon electricity generation by 2040; and
  • 85% reduction in statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

 
The CLCPA will have a significant impact on the supply and demand of electricity in Long Island and the rest of New York State. Of particular importance to Long Island will be the need for LIPA to transition from its current near-total dependence on fossil-fuel fired generation to a resource mix that is increasingly dominated by offshore wind and solar, as well as the impact of increased electrification of the transportation and heating sectors on electric demand.
 
To learn more about New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), please refer to Senate Bill S6599 and visit NYS’ Climate Act webpage.

• Is there a difference between reliability and resiliency, and will resiliency be addressed in the 2022 IRP?
  Reliability and resiliency are related but distinct concepts. Reliability refers to a utility system’s ability to provide customers with sufficient and continuous electric service. Resiliency refers to the utility system’s ability to withstand and/or quickly recover from major disruptive events, such as a major weather event or loss of fuel supply. Both reliability and resiliency are critical for providing electric service to customers and will be addressed in the 2022 IRP.
• Will the 2022 IRP consider the impact of transitioning from fossil fuel generation to renewable energy on disadvantaged communities?
  Yes. The CLCPA requires that 35% of the benefits from investments in transitioning to clean energy and energy efficiency programs be realized by disadvantaged communities. PSEG Long Island intends to review and incorporate guidance being developed by the State’s Climate Justice Working Group.
   
  To learn more about the Group’s work on disadvantaged communities, please refer to NYS’ Climate Justice Working Group webpage.
• Will new energy technologies be considered in the IRP to achieve CLCPA goals?
  The IRP will identify the need for new energy technologies, such as long duration storage, to meet the CLCPA goals, though such technologies will likely not be needed until after the primary IRP focus period (2022 – 2030).
• Will there be an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input into the IRP development?
  Yes. PSEG Long Island and LIPA are holding a 30-day public comments period starting on June 23, 2021, through July 23, 2021, during which they will accept comments from the public on the draft IRP scope of work.  Additionally, any general inquiries and feedback regarding the 2022 IRP may also be sent at any time via email to IRP@lipower.org or submitted online using the 2022 IRP Inquiries and Feedback Form.
• How can I stay updated on IRP development and progress?
  An IRP webpage has been created on both, the PSEG Long Island website and on the LIPA website where interested parties can visit to download related documents and keep up to date with progress on the 2022 IRP. Interested parties can also sign up to the 2022 IRP email list to received IRP-related notifications via email.