This parameter has been hard-wired into the RUN file template since the beginning. Starting in version 4.3.307, it can be specified via the VEDA tables. I suggest you include this in the SysSettings file, with the Discount rate (G_DRATE) declaration.
If this is not declared, VEDA will declare this as the start year (first year of the model horizon) in RUN file.
PS: Thanks to Gary who pointed this out to me