2014 Utility Regulation Conference: Rate Case, ROE and Reliability --In Partnership with SNL Energy

A Two-Day Classroom Seminar

Register Soon to get Early Bird Pricing.

While utilities' approaches to rate cases have remained relatively consistent, the regulatory climate has grown more adverse. Regulators are seeking more competitive returns for their stakeholders given market returns and looking for more accountability in regards to reliability.

For the 7th Annual Utility Regulation Conference, we've brought leading subject matter experts together to present and examine the best emerging strategies for more favorable orders and decisions.

What You Will Learn

The latest information oninitiatives from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and what they mean to your utility
The viewpoints of critical intervenors and strategies to address the challenges
An understanding of the relationship between value principles and ROE
The perspectives and concerns of credit agencies and Wall Street financial analysts toward your rate case process and outcomes

Seminar Agenda

Untitled Document

Day One Â

7:30 am

Registration and Continental Breakfast Open

8:45 am

Welcome and Introductions

9:00 am

Opening Keynote: Themes in Regulation and Public Policy

10:00 am

Break

10:15 am

Financial Trends in Rate Cases and Cost Recovery

Authorized vs. actual ROE, a nationwide analysis
Impact of increased cost of capital
Traditional recovery mechanisms and interesting new applications.
Is the downward trend in allowed ROE's likely to change anytime soon?

11:15 am

Capital Structure of Regulated Utilities

Trends in utility credit ratings and their impacts on the state commission rate decisions?
With the expected rise in interest rates, is the traditional capital mix of utilities, high debt-to-equity, going to be harder to maintain? How will the increase in interest rates affect valuations?
Will utilities be able to continue without MLPs or Yieldcos?
How do the regulators view the rise of the MLPs and Yieldcos?

12:30 pm

Lunch

1:45 pm

Pipeline and Transmission Issues

Are escalating costs of construction going to decrease the likelihood of getting recovery?
What's the status of the efforts to better align the gas and electric systems?
With Smart Grid Integration, are companies able to use all the data they are collecting?
What about keeping all that data safe?

2:45 pm

Break

3:00 pm

Rate Design and Cost Allocation

Survey of alternatives to traditional rate design
Where is the net metering fight likely to end up?
What's the right strategy to effectively work with regulators on rate design?

5:00 pm

Day One Concludes; Cocktail Reception

Day Two

8:00 am

Continental Breakfast Opens

8:45 am

Opening Remarks

9:00 am

Reliability: Infrastructure, Renewables and Efficiency, what are the customer expectations?

How are utilities are dealing with aging infrastructures and pressure to update them?
What weather trends can we expect to persist? Are storms getting stronger in a way that will materially affect utilities' costs?
How are utilities taking advantage of technology to improve the efficiency of existing infrastructure versus replacing it?
Are companies with more sophisticated data collection i.e. smarter grids seeing that play out in improved reliability?

10:00 am

Break

10:15 am

Effect on M&A

Shareholder value, economies of scale, customer satisfaction; is it working?
Impact of large scale mergers (PEPCO and Exelon; Duke and Progress; NV Energy and MidAmerican) on rate base?
How do these big merging companies get all the regulators to work together?

10:45 am

Break

11:00 am

What do you do now? Planning for the New Utility Business Model

How are companies handling the Resource Planning Process (Hawaii Electric?)
How are companies and states addressing regulatory lag?
How are other allowable costs being viewed?

Are pension costs getting a bad rap?
Attitudes on storm cost recovery, incentive compensation, and demand side management

Outreach programs to educate and advance utility issues with state and local officials

12:30 pm

Program Concludes

Hotel and Seminar Information

This two-day seminar will be held at the hotel listed below. The seminar will start promptly at 8:00 AM and will finish at 5:00 PM on the first day. On the second day, the seminar will resume at 8:30 AM and will finish at 12:30 PM. Dress is business casual. Your registration includes all conference materials, continental breakfast and lunch both days, and the evening cocktail reception at the end of Day One.

COVID 19 Information: Please click here for the PGS Covid-19 policy. You can confirm each hotel's specific COVID 19 policy using the link(s) provided below.

Registration Fee and Discounts

The price for this comprehensive two-day seminar is $1,495 (USD).

Additional attendees and government employees receive a 10% discount.
Register 4 or more attendees and receive 20% Off. Special pricing is available for groups of 5 or more.
If you want attendees to pay with separate credit cards or have other questions, please call (440) 853-1038 for assistance.

Payments and Cancellations

Payment is due prior to the start of the seminar by Visa, Master Card, American Express, or corporate check. Seminar fees will be charged to your credit card at the time of registration unless other arrangements have been made. Please make checks payable to "PGS Energy Training" 26 Teal Lane • Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. Cancellations will result in a credit that is good for 2 years which can be transferred to a colleague. Substitutions may be made at any time. For more information on PGS policies regarding administrative matters and complaint resolution, please contact our offices at (440) 853-1038.

Who Should Attend

Utility professionals in regulatory affairs, strategic development, corporate finance, and investor relations. State and federal regulatory commissioners and staff. Financial analysts at investment firms. Regulatory attorneys and consultants

Prerequisites and Advance Preparation

This fundamental level group live seminar has no prerequisites. No advance preparation is required before the seminar.

Why Choose PGS?

PGS in Partnership with SNL Energy seminars are known for their clear explanations and in-depth content. Register today, and join the energy professionals who have already attended one of these proven programs.

Program Level & Delivery Method

Basic level. This fundamental course begins with basic material and then proceeds to the intermediate level. Delivery method is "Group-Live.”

IN-PERSON CLASSROOM SEMINARS