The integrated resource planning methodology specifically compares supply—side options with demand—side options on an equal basis and includes all costs to society, including environmental cost, to determine the most appropriate selection of options for the best satisfaction of societal needs. Traditional methods for determining choices, particularly those which are intuition-based, are no longer adequate. For the integrated resource planning process to achieve the most appropriate outcome for society, many decision—making criteria need to be evaluated. This paper demonstrates that the adaptation of multicriteria- based methods to integrated resource planning assists energy policy makers while dealing with a range of, and often conflicting, objectives.