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Tennessee Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (8-TN-c)

Information current as of 2022
In Tennessee, a developer may need to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CCN) from the Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC) to construct a generation or transmission facility. Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-208(a). The TPUC regulates the construction of electric generating and transmission facilities primarily pursuant to Tennessee – Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-201 et seq., Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and Tennessee – Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-1-1, Rules of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority Rules and Regulations of Practice and Procedure.



Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Process


8-TN-c.1 to 8-TN-c.2 – Is a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CCN) Required?

A developer may need to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CCN) from the Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC) prior to establishing or beginning the construction of, or operating any line, plant, or system, or route in or into a municipality or other territory. Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-201(a). Specifically, a developer must obtain a CCN prior to:

A public utility is defined as an “individual, co-partnership, association, corporation, or joint stock company…that own[s], operate[s], manage[s] or control[s], within the state, any…electric light…[,]…power, …or any other like system, plant or equipment, affected by and dedicated to the public use, under privileges, franchises, licenses, or agreements, granted by the state or by any political subdivision.” Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-101(6)(a).

8-TN-c.3 – Is the Developer Exempt From Obtaining a CCN?

A developer does not need to obtain a CCN if the developer is:


8-TN-c.4 – Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Petition

The developer must submit a complete CCN Petition (Petition) to the TPUC pursuant to Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-1-1-.03. In addition to completing a Petition, the developer should also submit the following supporting documents, if applicable:

  • A description of the service the applicant proposes to render;
  • A description of the territory to be served and a map showing the territory;
  • A copy of the franchise granted by the city (if applicable);
  • A description of any proposed franchise fee;
  • Information regarding existing franchises for the same type of utility service in the same municipality or county (if applicable);
  • A statement of public need for the service, which includes an estimate of the number of customers to be served initially and any estimates of growth;
  • Documentation indicating that other public utilities, utility districts, or governmental units in or near the affected area are unable or unwilling to provide service to the affected area, if applicable;
  • Documentation of notice, to be provided in conjunction with the filing of the petition, to any public utility operating in the municipality or territory affected whose route, plant, line, or system may be in competition with the proposed route, plant, line, or system, if applicable;
  • Engineering and construction plans;
  • A current financial statement of the company;
  • A detailed estimate of the cost of construction of the system;
  • Pro Forma statement of the cost of operating the system for the first five years;
  • An analysis of projected customer growth for the first five years;
  • Details of any proposed financing;
  • A list of the rates the company proposes to charge its customers and how the rates were determined;
  • A description of the type of entity that will own the system together with proof of the existence of the entity;
  • If the entity is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability corporation, a copy of the Certificate of Good Standing from the State of Tennessee;
  • The names and addresses of the owners of the company and the percentage of ownership of each; and
  • Any other relevant information.TPUC – Information to Support an Initial CCN Petition.

The developer must file the Petition and supporting documents with the TPUC Chair. The TPUC requires a “written original and four (4) written copies of all electronic documents” or “an unbounded, one sided original and thirteen (13) copies of all written documents” submitted to the TPUC Chair. Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-1-1-.03(4).

The documents must conform to the formatting requirements pursuant to Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-1-1-.03(1). The Chair may “refuse to accept any document which does not comply with” the rules. Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-1-1-.03(6).

8-TN-c.5 to 8-TN-c.7 – Review Petition Materials for Completeness

The TPUC reviews CCN Petitions for administrative and technical completeness. If a Petition is incomplete, the TPUC may dismiss the Petition without further consideration. Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-1-1-.03(6).

8-TN-c.8 to 8-TN-c.11 – Is a Public Hearing Ordered or Requested?

If an interested party requests a public hearing on the Petition, the TPUC must order a public hearing. Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-204. The TPUC may also order a public hearing “upon its own initiative.” Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-204.

Once the TPUC orders a public hearing, the TPUC holds a public hearing upon “due notice to all interested parties.” At the public hearing, the developer files, under oath, any pertinent evidence and other “reasonable information” about the project the TPUC requires. Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-204. Members of the public and developer may offer comments about the project.

If no party requests a public hearing and if the TPUC does not order a public hearing on its own initiative, the TPUC proceeds with an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-201 and Tenn. Code Ann. §4-5-101 et seq..

8-TN-c.12 to 8-TN-c.14 – Publish Notice of Adjudicatory Hearing

The TPUC must provide “at least ten (10) days’ notice” of the adjudicatory hearing to interested parties. The TPUC conducts an adjudicatory hearing to determine whether to grant a CCN. Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-203(b).

The TPUC conducts the adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. §4-5-307 and Tenn. Code Ann. §4-5-312. Unless prohibited by state or federal law, the adjudicatory hearing will be open to the public. Tenn. Code Ann. §4-5-312(d). The TPUC may allow public comment during the adjudicatory hearing. Tenn. Code Ann. §4-5-312(d).

8-TN-c.15 to 8-TN-c.16 – Assess Petition for Approval

After the adjudicatory hearing, the TPUC assesses the Petition and determines whether to grant the CCN.

In determining whether to grant or deny a CCN Petition, the TPUC assesses whether the public utility (developer) has the technical, managerial, and financial ability to provide the services for which it is applying.

If the proposed project will compete with another public utility’s existing “route, plant, line, or system,” the TPUC will not grant a CCN unless:

  • The existing “route, plant, line, or system are inadequate to meet the reasonable needs of the public;" or
  • The public utility operating the existing “route, plant, line, or system” refuses or neglects to make necessary additions after “reasonable opportunity after notice.”

Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-203(a).

If the proposed project interferes with an existing “route, line, plant or system” of another public utility, the affected public utility may file a complaint with the TPUC. After a hearing, the TPUC may prescribe “terms and conditions” that are “just and reasonable” to address the interference. The TPUC may require that the developer follow such terms and conditions in order to keep and exercise the rights granted by the CCN. Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-202.


8-TN-c.17 – Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

If the TPUC approves the Petition, the TPUC issues a CCN to the developer. If the CCN contains additional terms and conditions, the developer must abide by the terms and conditions prescribed in the CCN. Otherwise, the developer may forfeit the CCN and any rights granted by the CCN. Tenn. Code Ann. §65-4-202.

8-TN-c.18 to 8-TN-c.22 – Petition for Rehearing (Optional)

Any party to a contested case may file a petition for rehearing within 15 days after the entry of an initial or final order. Tenn. Code Ann. §65-2-114.

The TPUC must either grant or deny the petition within thirty (30) days of receiving the petition for rehearing. If the TPUC does not grant the petition for rehearing within 30 days, the TPUC effectively refuses the petition for rehearing. Tenn. Code Ann. §65-2-118.

If the TPUC grants the petition, the TPUC holds the rehearing “as soon as practicable.” Tenn. Code Ann. §65-2-119. Once the TPUC holds the rehearing, the TPUC will issue a new final order.

8-TN-c.23 – Petition for Judicial Review (Optional)

A person aggrieved by the TPUC’s final order to grant or deny a CCN may petition for judicial review. Tenn. Code Ann. §4-5-322(a)(1). The aggrieved person must file a petition for judicial review within sixty (60) days of the TPUC’s final order. Tenn. Code Ann. §4-5-322(b)(1)(A)(iv).

The person seeking judicial review must file the petition in the Middle Division of the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Tenn. Code Ann. §4-5-322(b)(1)(B)(iii). The court may reverse, modify, affirm or remand the order back to the TPUC. Tenn. Code Ann. §4-5-322(h).


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Contact Information






Edit Tennessee Public Utility Commission
Electric, Gas, Water and Wastewater 615-770-6887 Visit Website


Edit Tennessee Public Utility Commission
Deputy General Counsel 615.770.6858 Visit Website

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