Integrated Resource Planning Modernization Act

HR 5964, the Integrated Resource Planning Modernization Act, requires the Secretary of Energy to develop and publish federal guidelines for how electric utilities plan for future electricity needs. These guidelines mandate modern approaches to resource planning, including modeling capacity expansion with diverse options (like storage and distributed energy), integrating transmission planning, using probabilistic analysis for weather and reliability risks, and creating scorecards to weigh costs and benefits. The bill directly affects states, utility commissions, and electric utilities (including cooperatives and municipal systems) by requiring them to align their planning with these federal guidelines. To support implementation, the bill creates a grant program for states to update regulations or coordinate planning efforts, along with technical assistance and a requirement for states to report progress.