Utility Regulation Conference: Strategies for Profit and Reliability

Utility Regulation Conference: Strategies for Profit and Reliability - In Partnership with SNL Energy

A Two-Day Classroom Seminar (CPE Approved)

The Utility Regulation Conference is the pre-eminent executive conference for power and gas utility executives focused on their growth and profitability strategies. This year's event features the industry's most influential utility executives, advisers, regulators and investment professionals sharing their perspectives on the overall landscape and financial alternatives in the current regulatory environment.

Utilities face immense financial, regulatory, and environmental pressure. Stakeholders struggle to address the need to replace aging infrastructure to improve safety and reliability, meet ever tightening environmental standards and conservation goals, as well as pressure to accommodate new technologies, at a time when access to capital markets is pressured by falling rate of return and revenue growth is stymied by a sluggish economy.

Whether you are anticipating a rate case, examining regulatory obstacles to M&A, or looking for strategies to increase profitability, you will receive essential intelligence necessary to make informed decisions. We won't focus on high level trends or recent surveys, but rather on tactics you can take back to your organization.

Past attendees praise the event for providing relevant, timely and usable intelligence delivered by high quality speakers, backed by data and analytics you won't find at other events. While the content is unparalleled, the conference also provides ample time to network with executives from across the utility industry, and across the country.

What You Will Learn

What's Happening on Capitol Hill? Political Perspective on Regulated Utilities
Regulatory Framework for Utilities: From Plant Closings to Renewable Growth
FERC Update: Addressing Federal Policies in a Changing Utility Landscape
Rate Design and Structure: Rate Case for the Modern Utility
Threats to the Grid: Weather, Cyber, Safety and Reliability
Regulated Water Utilities: Investment and Infrastructure Demands
How Customer Satisfaction Drives ROE for Regulated Utilities
Restructuring the Electric and Gas Industry: State Generated Utility Regulation
Investment and Capital Markets Panel: Wall Street in the Grid

Seminar Agenda

Untitled Document

Day One

12:30 pm

Welcome Remarks

NickÂ Kapur

Senior Director - Energy
S&P Global Market Intelligence

12:50 pm

State of the Industry

Lillian A.Â Federico

Research Director
RRA, an offering of S&P Global Market Intelligence

1:30 pm

What's Happening on Capitol Hill? Political Perspective on Regulated Utilities

Industry experts will review the recent Presidential election, discussing the status of current administration initiatives, as well as outlook on what the new administration will focus on.

2:15 pm

Networking Break

2:45 pm

Regulatory Framework for Utilities: From Plant Closings to Renewable Growth

Nuclear and coal power plant closings: impacts and alternatives. Is the 'Nuclear Promise' enough to turn the tide?
How can utilities replace baseload coal and nuclear capacity with equally stable, emissions-free and cost-effective supply? What's the appetite for rate increases and emissions increases?
Gas pipeline initiatives by electric utilities and gas LDCs: where do these stand and what are the regulatory and consumer considerations?
Upstream investments: how to get investments in natural gas production and storage recognized in rate cases
New renewable portfolio standards; incorporating renewables into the rate case
What kinds of regulatory decision-making will go into compliance with increased renewable standards?
Clean Power Plan update

4:00 pm

Networking Break

4:15 pm

FERC Update: Addressing Federal Policies in a Changing Utility Landscape

FERC order 1000, and emerging competition in the transmission planning process
FERC and State jurisdictional boundary conflicts. What is the impact of recent Supreme Court rulings, and how are other boundary disputes being handled?
Downward pressure on transmission ROE's continues; how low can they go?
Trends in Investor Owned Utilities electricity sales and revenue requirements, and the resulting market tension
EPA mandates and FERC regulations are increasingly tied together. What is the impact on wholesale markets and reliability?

5:30 pm

Day One Concludes

Cocktail Reception

Day Two

8:00 am

Continental Breakfast

8:30 am

Rate Design and Structure: Rate Case for the Modern Utility

Technology, updated energy storage, and rooftop solar are forcing utilities to re-examine existing pricing methods. This panel will examine alternative rate making methods, special pricing structures and various incentives from the utility, regulator and customer point of view.

9:30 am

Networking Break

9:45 am

Threats to the Grid: Weather, Cyber, Safety and Reliability

Weather and natural disasters: how can utilities reduce losses with increased grid resiliency
Who is responsible for grid security?
Pipeline Safety: PHSMA regulations for gas pipelines
Threat Assessment: The financial cost of mitigating risk of catastrophic events

11:15 am

Regulated Water Utilities: Investment and Infrastructure Demands

Infrastructure demands, need for capital, and increased regulatory pressure continue to pose obstacles to the industry. Is there an alternative to continued consolidation? We will discuss where the capital will come from and who the buyers are.

12:00 pm

Luncheon

1:00 pm

How Customer Satisfaction Drives ROE for Regulated Utilities

Special Session

1:30 pm

Restructuring the Electric and Gas Industry: State Generated Utility Regulation

Individual states, such as New York and Massachusetts, have been more aggressive in promoting specific generation sources. While some utilities are in favor, independent generators are less enthusiastic, claiming market manipulation. We will review recent and pending state mandates and the impact on market competition.

2:30 pm

Networking Break

3:00 pm

Investment and Capital Markets Panel: Wall Street in the Grid

How do investors view the industry and implications for access to capital
Wall Street's appetite for renewables, and ROI expectations
Implications of the current regulatory framework on utilities' bottom lines
What are utility management teams and regulators doing to address concerns of investors and the ratings agencies?
A look at recent acquisitions by electric utilities of gas utilities and pipelines-what does this mean for the future of the industry?

4:00 pm

Conference Wrap-up

Hotel and Seminar Information

Your registration includes all conference materials, a lunch and an evening cocktail reception at the end of Day One and continental breakfast and lunch on day two. The conference will start at 12:30 PM and will finish at 5:30 PM on the first day and from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the second day. Dress is casual business attire.

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.

CPE Credits in Specialized Knowledge

This live group seminar is eligible for 10.0 CPE credits. Be aware that state boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. As of January 1, 2002, sponsored learning activities are measured by program length, with one 50-minute period equal to one CPE credit. One-half CPE credit increments (equal to 25 minutes) are permitted after the first credit has been earned in a given learning activity. You may want to verify that the state board from which your participants will be receiving credit accept one-half credits.

PGS Energy Training is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. CPAs interested in attending any seminars should contact our offices for details on CPE credits granted and any prerequisite requirements.

PGS Energy Training is registered with GARP as an Approved Provider of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits. If you are a Certified FRM or ERP, please record this activity in your Credit Tracker at http://www.garp.org/cpd. Please inform PGS Energy Training that you are a GARP CPE participant upon seminar registration.

The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) is a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to preparing professionals and organizations for making better-informed risk decisions. GARP's membership represents more than 150,000 risk management practitioners and researchers at academic institutions, banks, corporations, government agencies, and investment management firms in 195 countries and territories. GARP administers the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and Energy Risk Professional (ERP) Exams – certifications recognized by risk professionals worldwide. Visit www.garp.org/cpd.

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

There are no prerequisites for this conference.

Why Choose PGS?

PGS in Partnership with SNL Energy seminars are known for their clear explanations and in-depth content. The SNL Energy seminars are produced by the Knowledge Center, expert training from S&P Global Market Intelligence. 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