Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Requests (VCMRRs)
# Title Description Date Posted Sponsor Urgent Protocol Sections Current Status Effective Date(s)
VCMRR001 Submission of Fuel Costs This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) revises the grey-boxed language that was added to the Verifiable Cost Manual following the approval of Nodal Protocol Revision Request (NPRR) 485, Clarification for Fuel Adder Provisions, modifies the types of fuel costs Resources may submit, and defines the timeline for the verifiable fuel cost process. 12/10/2013 RCWG No 3, Appendix 6 Approved
10/06/2014
VCMRR002 Verifiable Costs for Cancellation of RUC- Committed Resources This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) provides language to document ERCOT’s process for calculating payments for Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC)-Committed Resources that have received a RUC Cancellation. The revision also corrects references to appendices in Section 2 of the Verifiable Cost Manual. 04/01/2014 ERCOT No 2, 7 Approved
05/01/2014
VCMRR003 Administrative Changes for the June 1, 2014 Verifiable Cost Manual This VCMRR aligns the Verifiable Cost Manual (VCM) with the Protocols as revised by Nodal Protocol Revision Request (NPRR) 584, Alignment with TAC Procedures to Shorten the Appeals Timeline, which was approved by the ERCOT Board on 4/8/14. This VCMRR shortens the appeals timeline for appealing WMS actions to align with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas Technical Advisory Committee Procedures and maintains accurate information as allowed by Section 12.1, Introduction. 05/14/2014 ERCOT No 12.4 Approved
06/01/2014
VCMRR004 Caps for Energy Storage Resources This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) specifies the values for the various caps used in the mitigation and make-whole calculation process for Energy Storage Resources. 07/30/2014 Chamisa Energy Yes Section 2, Appendix 10 Approved
10/01/2014
VCMRR005 Fuel Index Price for Resource Definition and Real-Time Make-Whole Payments for Exceptional Fuel Cost Events This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) will modify the Verifiable Cost Manual to incorporate the Fuel Index Price for Resource (FIPRr) and Real-Time Make-Whole Payment for exceptional fuel cost provisions. Resources may designate FIPRr based on the Gas Daily’s Waha index price (Waha Fuel price (WFP)), or the weighted price of the Gas Daily Fuel Index Price (FIP) and the WFP. The default FIPRr shall be the FIP. Resources that designate FIPRr based on WFP or the weighted price must submit documentation to ERCOT indicating such designation and provide proof of physical delivery from such areas, as described in the Verifiable Cost Manual. In addition, this VCMRR modifies the Verifiable Cost Manual to specify the verification requirements for the Real-Time Make-Whole Payment provision. 10/27/2014 RCWG Yes Sections 1, 2, 3, and 7; Appendices 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Approved
05/01/2015

Grey-box Section 7 until system implementation of NPRR664

01/01/2015

Section 7

VCMRR006 Fuel Adder Timeline Update This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) proposes an adjustment to the timeline required for the fuel adder submissions. Previously, Resources were required to update their fuel adder costs every season. ERCOT proposes to reduce this requirement to once every six months. This VCMRR also updates language that allows Resources with all fuel types to submit actual fuel adders. 02/13/2015 Resource Cost Working Group (RCWG) No 3 Approved
04/01/2015
VCMRR007 Alignment with NPRR699, Energy Offer Curve Caps for Make-Whole Calculations for Resource Type Other NPRR699 revises paragraph (1)(l) in Protocol Section 4.4.9.2.3, Energy Offer Curve Validation, to specify the cap for Make-Whole Payments for all Resources categorized as Other. This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) removes from the manual references to the cap for Energy Storage Resources as this would be inconsistent with the provision added to Protocols by NPRR699. 04/29/2015 RCWG No Appendix 10 Approved
02/10/2016
VCMRR008 Alignment with NPRR700, Utilizing Actual Fuel Cost in Startup Offer Caps NPRR700 revises Protocols to incorporate actual fuel costs into the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) and Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC) procurement process and DAM Make-Whole Payment calculations. This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) aligns the Verifiable Cost Manual with the provisions proposed by NPRR700. 04/29/2015 RCWG No 3, Appendix 5 Approved
06/22/2016
VCMRR009 Calculation of the Minimum Requirements Fee This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) includes language to clarify the calculation of the minimum requirements fee based on Option 1, as endorsed by WMS at the May 6, 2015 meeting. Under Option 1, the minimum requirements costs would be allocated to Resource usage only, excluding third party and storage usage. The minimum requirements fee is a cost incurred by the Resource for not transporting the agreed upon volume of fuel, as stated in their contract terms. The minimum requirements fee is assessed to the Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) based on the total amount of fuel purchased and transported, including volumes burned by plants and volumes used for other business transactions. The calculation of the minimum requirements fee will be determined by taking the total fee incurred and allocating it only across the volumes of fuel that have been transported and burned at the plants. This expense will then be used in conjunction with the various eligible fuel costs incurred by the Resource in determining a Resource’s fuel adder for the period. 06/03/2015 Paul Vinson on behalf of Resource Cost Working Group (RCWG) No 3 Approved
06/01/2016
VCMRR010 Alignment with NPRR714, Real-Time Make-Whole Payment for Exceptional Fuel Cost NPRR714 proposes to restore the process for Real-Time Make-Whole Payments and Charges to address exceptional fuel cost events. This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) aligns the Verifiable Cost Manual with the provisions proposed by NPRR714. 08/24/2015 RCWG No 7 Approved
11/01/2015
06/01/2017

Sunset

VCMRR011 Timeline for Reviewing Resources Verifiable Costs for Five Year Updates This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) proposes a change to the verification timeline in regards to the Resources which are required to resubmit their Verifiable Costs per paragraph (10) of Protocol Section 5.6.1, Verifiable Costs. Given that many Resources were initially approved at the beginning of the Nodal Market, ERCOT is proposing a different timeline for reviewing these updated Verifiable Costs in order to reduce the risk to ERCOT of not being able to meet the existing review process timeline. Although ERCOT suggests changing the review process timeline to no more than 90 days from the date of the submission of the updated Verifiable Costs, the goal is to evaluate and approve these Verifiable Costs on an expedited basis and without delay. 09/30/2015 ERCOT Yes 10 Approved
11/01/2015
VCMRR012 Alignment with NPRR732, Adjustments to Verifiable Costs for Required Resubmissions and Clarification of RUC Forced Outage and Cancellation Procedures Nodal Protocol Revision Request (NPRR) 732 revises paragraph (11) of Protocol Section 5.6.1, Verifiable Costs, which describes how ERCOT will determine Resource costs in the event that a Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) or Resource Entity fails to file verifiable costs within 30 days of a request to file such costs. This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) aligns language in the Verifiable Cost Manual with NPRR732 by deleting Verifiable Cost Manual language that contradicts Protocol language proposed by NPRR732. 10/28/2015 ERCOT No Section 10 Approved
12/18/2015
VCMRR013 Clarifications to Verifiable Cost Appeals Process This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) clarifies the process for appeal of an ERCOT denial of submitted Verifiable Costs. The clarifications address appeals timelines and ERCOT representation in the appeals process. The related accompanying NPRR clarifies Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes subsequent to a denied appeal of submitted Verifiable Costs. 04/26/2016 ERCOT No 12 Approved
11/01/2016
VCMRR014 Revise Fuel Adder Factor for Coal and Lignite Resources This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) sets the generic fuel adder for coal-fired and lignite-fired Resources at $1.10/MMBtu. 04/27/2016 Paul Vinson on behalf of Resource Cost Working Group (RCWG) Yes 3 Approved
06/01/2016
VCMRR015 Administrative Changes for July 1, 2016 Verifiable Cost Manual – Section 21 Alignment This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) aligns Verifiable Cost Manual language with revisions proposed in NPRR752 which modifies the revision request process to reflect current ERCOT practices; and which was approved by the ERCOT Board on June 14, 2016. Administrative changes to align the Verifiable Cost Manual with Protocol Section 21, Revision Request Process, are allowed under Section 13.1, Introduction. 06/16/2016 ERCOT No 13.3.1, 13.3.3, 13.3.4, 13.3.5, 13.3.6, 13.3.7, 13.3.8, 13.6 Approved
07/01/2016
VCMRR016 Reformatting of the Verifiable Cost Manual This Administrative Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) reformats all Sections of the Verifiable Cost Manual to align it with the formatting schemes used in the ERCOT Protocols and Other Binding Documents (OBDs). This VCMRR also removes the Revision and Approval table as this information duplicative of the information available at respective VCMRR web pages on ERCOT.com. 11/09/2016 ERCOT No All sections require revision Approved
12/01/2016
VCMRR017 Administrative Changes for January 1, 2017 Verifiable Cost Manual – Alignment with Section 21 This administrative Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) aligns the Verifiable Cost Manual with Protocol Section 21, Revision Request Process and changes implemented by NPRR779, Clarifies References to Texas Reliability Entity and Independent Market Monitor, which was approved by the ERCOT Board on October 11, 2016. Administrative changes to align the Verifiable Cost Manual with Protocol Section 21 are allowed under Section 13.1. 12/13/2016 ERCOT No 13.1, 13.2, 13.3.3, 13.3.4, 13.4 Approved
01/01/2017
VCMRR018 Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request Process This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) aligns the Verifiable Cost Manual revision process with the ERCOT Protocols and Market Guides. More specifically, it revises the length of the comment period for newly submitted VCMRRs from 7 to 14 days; requires review of all VCMRR Impact Analyses by WMS; aligns the process for submission and review of Urgent VCMRRs with other revision request types; expands the list of VCMRRs requiring ERCOT Board approval; and provides additional general revisions to mirror the ERCOT Protocols and Market Guides. These process changes were discussed at the 8/25/16 TAC/TAC Subcommittee Structural and Procedural Review, the 9/29/16 TAC meeting, and the 10/10/16 HR & Governance Committee meeting. 03/22/2017 ERCOT No 13.1, 13.3.3, 13.3.5, 13.3.6, 13.3.7, 13.3.8, 13.5, 13.6 Approved
06/01/2017
VCMRR019 Verifiable Cost Process Clarifications This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) provides clarifications to the Verifiable Cost Manual made necessary due to the incorporation of the following Nodal Protocol Revision Requests (NPRRs) into Protocols: • NPRR485, Clarification for Fuel Adder Provisions • NPRR617, Energy Offer Flexibility • NPRR700, Utilizing Actual Fuel Costs in Startup Offer Caps ERCOT proposes one substantive change in paragraph (1) (g) of Section 10.2.1, Timeline for Verifiable Cost Submissions. The timeline for acceptance/rejection of approved Verifiable Cost has been shortened from five to three Business Days and failure to respond will result in rejection of the approved Verifiable Costs. 07/17/2017 ERCOT No 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.5.1, 2.5.3, 2.6, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.6, 7.1.1, 9.1.3, 10.1, 10.2.1, 10.2.2, Appendix 4, Appendix 5, Appendix 6, Appendix 7, Appendix 8, Appendix 10, Approved
VCMRR020 Delay the Fuel Adder Sunset Related to VCMRR014, Revise Fuel Adder Factor for Coal and Lignite Resources This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) delays the sunset date implemented by VCMRR014, Revise Fuel Adder Factor for Coal and Lignite Resources, to permit stakeholders additional time to identify a long-term solution to determine an appropriate adder for coal-fired and lignite-fired Generation Resources. 03/22/2018 Reliant Energy Retail Services Yes 3.4 Approved
VCMRR021 Related to NPRR847, Exceptional Fuel Cost Included in the Mitigated Offer Cap This VCMRR aligns the Verifiable Cost Manual with the language proposed in NPRR847 by proposing to remove Verifiable Cost Manual language providing for Make-Whole Payments for exceptional fuel costs. The recovery of these costs is envisioned in NPRR847. 04/25/2018 ERCOT Yes 7, 7.1, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.2 Approved
VCMRR022 Determination of Fuel Adder Price for Coal and Lignite Resources This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) directs ERCOT to contract with a fuel vendor to secure a coal index price and includes a methodology for calculating the fuel adder for coal-fired and lignite-fired Resources quarterly based on that index. 05/03/2018 ERCOT No 3.4, Appendix 11 (new) Approved
05/01/2019
VCMRR023 Related to NPRR940, Removal of Language Related to NPRR664, Fuel Index Price for Resource Definition and Real-Time Make-Whole Payments for Exceptional Fuel Cost Events This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) aligns the language in the Verifiable Cost Manual with the revisions proposed in NPRR940. 05/02/2019 ERCOT No 1.4, 7 (Deleted), Appendix 3, Appendix 5, Appendix 6, Appendix 7, Appendix 8, Appendix 9 Approved
11/01/2019
VCMRR024 Allocation of Auxiliary Equipment Power Costs in Variable O&M This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) clarifies that auxiliary equipment using power from third party service providers is recoverable as a variable cost through Verifiable Operating Costs. Since all costs to run auxiliary equipment will be included in operations and maintenance expenses, it is no longer necessary to include startup and minimum energy fuel consumption. 07/02/2019 Golden Spread Electric Cooperative & Brazos Electric Cooperative No 3.3, 4.3, 9.1.1 Approved
10/01/2019
VCMRR025 Related to NPRR957, RTF-4 Definition of Energy Storage Resource and Related Registration and Telemetry Requirements This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) removes language that defines “Energy Storage Resources” and requires these Resources to register under the Resource Category “Other,” and aligns the Verifiable Cost Manual with Protocol changes proposed by NPRR957. This VCMRR also revises the Mitigated Offer Cap (MOC) calculation for Energy Storage Resources to comport with Protocols Section 4.4.9.4.1, Mitigated Offer Cap. 09/17/2019 ERCOT No Appendix 10 Approved
01/01/2020
VCMRR026 Related to NPRR970, Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC) Fuel Dispute Process Clarification This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) aligns Verifiable Cost Manual language with Protocol language proposed in NPRR970, as well as revisions made in NPRR617, Energy Offer Flexibility, by removing Appendix 8. 09/17/2019 ERCOT No Appendix 8 (deleted) Approved
03/01/2020
VCMRR027 Related to NPRR986, BESTF-2 Energy Storage Resource Energy Offer Curves, Pricing, Dispatch, and Mitigation This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) removes Section 2.2 and Appendix 10 from the Verifiable Cost Manual. 12/05/2019 ERCOT No 2.2 (delete) and Appendix 10 (delete) Approved
04/02/2021
VCMRR028 Administrative Changes for March 1, 2020 Verifiable Cost Manual – Update ERCOT Email Address This Administrative Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) standardizes the email address across the Verifiable Cost Manual for submittal of attachments and forms to ERCOT. Administrative VCMRRs are allowed pursuant to paragraph (5) of Section 13.1, Introduction. 02/10/2020 ERCOT No Section 14, Appendix 12: Standard Affidavits Approved
03/01/2020
VCMRR029 Related to NPRR1003, Elimination of References to Resource Asset Registration Form This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) aligns the Verifiable Cost Manual with changes proposed in NPRR1003, by replacing all remaining references to the Resource Asset Registration Form (RARF) with more general language in anticipation of the elimination of the RARF. 02/26/2020 ERCOT No 2.5.2, Appendix 7 Approved
09/01/2020
VCMRR030 Related to NPRR1039, Replace the Term MIS Public Area with ERCOT Website This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) removes the defined term Market Information System (MIS) Public Area from the Protocols and replaces any references to MIS Public Area with “ERCOT website.” 08/18/2020 ERCOT No Appendix 6 Approved
01/01/2021
VCMRR031 Clarification Related to Variable Costs in Fuel Adders This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR): • Defines variable costs and clarifies that all cost components used to calculate a Filing Entity’s fuel adder should also be based on variable costs; • Removes the minimum requirements fee cost category from the examples of cost categories that may be included in the fuel adder; and • Changes the review timeline detailed in paragraph (3) of Section 3.4 to give ERCOT the ability to review and follow up on more complex cost submissions. 02/03/2021 ERCOT No 1.4, 3.4, and 3.5 (delete) Approved
08/01/2023
VCMRR032 Calculation of Average Running Hours per Start when Determining the Variable O&M for QSGRs This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) clarifies that the average run time per start is calculated by dividing the total running hours by the total number of starts during the 20 consecutive day period, and ensures that at a minimum, one start will be used in the calculation of the average run time per start when the Resource is operating on the first interval of the first day of the 20 consecutive day period. 10/19/2021 ERCOT No Appendix 7 Approved
03/01/2022
VCMRR033 Excluding Exceptional Fuel Costs from Fuel Adders This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) provides that the actual fuel purchases used in Exceptional Fuel Costs that were already included in the Mitigated Offer Cap (MOC), as described in paragraph (1)(f) of Protocol Section 4.4.9.4, Mitigated Offer Cap and Mitigated Offer Floor, will not also be included when calculating fuel adders. 06/21/2022 ERCOT No 3.4 Withdrawn
VCMRR034 Excluding RUC Approved Fuel Costs from Fuel Adders This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) provides that actual fuel purchases that were used to determine the Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC) Guarantee, as described in Protocol Section 9.14.7, Disputes for RUC Make-Whole Payment for Fuel Costs, shall not also be included when calculating fuel adders. 06/21/2022 ERCOT No 3.4 Approved
11/01/2023
VCMRR035 Allow Verified Contractual Costs in Fuel Adder Calculation This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) enables generators to include pipeline-mandated costs and penalties in the fuel adder of the verified cost filings. 07/08/2022 TexGen Power No 3.4 Rejected
VCMRR036 Related to NPRR1157, Incorporation of PUCT Approval into Revision Request Process This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) requires all Revision Requests to be approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) prior to implementation; standardizes all Revision Requests be considered by the ERCOT Board of Directors; adds an Independent Market Monitor (IMM) opinion, ERCOT opinion, and the ERCOT Market Impact Statement to the TAC Report; and revises possible actions on a Revision Request from “defer” to “table” as currently captured in motions. 02/22/2023 ERCOT Yes 13.1, 13.3.2, 13.3.3, 13.3.9, 13.3.10, 13.3.11 (new), 13.4, and 13.6 Approved
06/01/2023
VCMRR037 Related to NPRR1172, Fuel Adder Definition, Mitigated Offer Caps, and RUC Clawback This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) applies the defined term “Fuel Adder” pursuant to NPRR1172. 04/11/2023 Consumers No 2.5.1, 3.4, 3.5, Appendix 6, and Appendix 7 Withdrawn
VCMRR038 Administrative Change for Verifiable Cost Manual – Remove Obsolete Reference from List of Appealable TAC Actions This Administrative Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) removes an obsolete reference to TAC approval from the list of appealable TAC actions, as TAC no longer has final approval of guide Revision Requests, further aligning the Verifiable Cost Manual revision process with that described in Protocol Section 21.4.12.2, Appeal of Technical Advisory Committee Action. Administrative changes to the Verifiable Cost Manual to maintain consistency with Protocol Section 21, Revision Request Process, are allowed under paragraph (5) of Section 13.1, Introduction. 10/12/2023 ERCOT No 13.4 Approved
01/01/2024
VCMRR039 Related to NPRR1216, Implementation of Emergency Pricing Program This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) provides that actual fuel purchases that were used to determine the Operating Losses Payment Amount, as described in Protocol Section 6.8.2, Recovery of Operating Losses During an LCAP or ECAP Effective Period, shall not also be included when calculating fuel adders. 01/23/2024 ERCOT No 3.4 Pending
VCMRR040 Methodology for Calculating Fuel Adders for Coal-Fired Resources This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) removes the necessity for ERCOT to purchase an annual coal price index subscription for use in the calculation of the quarterly manual coal fuel adder and describes a methodology for a Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) to submit “Actual Coal Fuel Adders” (ACFA) similar to the current process for natural gas Resources. 04/23/2024 ERCOT No 3.4 and Appendix 11 Pending
VCMRR041 SO2 and NOx Emission Prices Used in Verifiable Cost Calculations This Verifiable Cost Manual Revision Request (VCMRR) removes the requirement to use indices for the price of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) and replaces them with fixed prices to calculate emission costs. 04/24/2024 ERCOT No 2.6 and Appendix 5 Pending