In-Depth Seminar: Gas & Electric Utility Cost-of-Service and Rate Design

How this online course works

Understanding gas & electric utility rates and their relationship to utility profits doesn't have to be confusing.

Master the fundamentals of energy rate-making and learn the financial and accounting differences between regulated and unregulated businesses with this comprehensive online training. This is a "must" seminar for anyone who is new to the utility industry or who is impacted by the utility rate-making process.

This proven online training program features the same material used in the popular PGS in-person classroom seminar. Register today and join the over 10,000 industry professionals who trust PGS for their energy training needs.

What You Will Learn

1. A review of the jargon used in the regulatory process so the steps of a rate case are more understandable
2. The motivation for utilities to file rate cases and the types of analyses they conduct in support
3. How pricing structures are designed within rate proceedings
4. Plain English explanations of numerous gas & electric regulatory terms and concepts, and how the federal and state rate-making process works.
5. How gas & electric rate-making practices vary between investor owned utilities, municipal utilities, coops, and how these rate practices impact unregulated energy marketers.
6. The jargon used in the regulatory process, so that you can understand each step of a rate case.
7. Why utilities file rate cases and the types of analyses they conduct to support their proposals.
8. The difference between cost of service and market-based pricing, and how these rates are applied.
9. How various federal and state rate case procedures work, and how they differ.
10. What the different cost components of the base rate case are, and how they are determined.
11. The financial drivers for regulated utilities and how they differ from unregulated businesses
12. How to improve utility profitability through the rate-making process.
13. How different types of pricing structures are designed within rate proceedings

You Will Also Learn

1. The specifics of various natural gas and electric rate structures; how to read a tariff; and how to analyze a gas & electric bill.
2. What rate structures benefit customers and suppliers, and when.
3. How rate structures are designed and applied in deregulated environments.
4. How to calculate comparisons between regulated and deregulated supply procurement.

Training Sessions

Session 1: Overview of the Natural Gas and Electric Utility Industry

Seminar Agenda

Module 1 (3.5 hrs) Overview of the Natural Gas and Electric Utility Industry: We will begin with an overview of the energy industry from gas production and electric generation through transmission and distribution.   Importance of industry metering and billing data will be explained and many functions of utilities and their unique methods will be covered. Utility jargon and energy units will be explained along with engineering descriptions of a variety of electric generation technologies.   

Session 2: Gas and Electric Utility Rate Fundamentals & Theory

Seminar Agenda

Module 2 (3.5 hrs) Gas and Electric Utility Rate Fundamentals & Theory:  .  We begin a review of the energy industry from a regulatory perspective and discuss the major regulatory changes that “created” the marketplace of today.   The basic concepts of rates will be presented.  This includes determination of rate base along with rate of return.  Operating expenses and capital expenses will be discussed.  A review of the rate case processes for both base rate increases and fuel adjustments will be conducted. Various rationale for rate changes will be discussed.  We will review current problems in implementation of open-access markets and customer choice programs. The important issues that create friction between utilities and energy marketers will be discussed from both perspectives. 

Session 3: Gas and Electric Utility Rate Applications

Seminar Agenda

Module 3 (3.5 hrs) Gas and Electric Utility Rate Applications: We will conduct several bill analyses with both gas and electric bills, for several customer groups including residential, commercial, and industrial. Bill calculations will be done with a variety of tariffs to become proficient in bill analyses techniques.  Case studies of different bill applications will be used to illustrate the differences among rate tariffs and to apply what was learned to real-life situations. Certain issues will be selected for Case studies by the class.  Active participation in debating the merits of those issues will be expected of the participants.  We will continue with bill and tariff analysis using actual bill examples.  Examples will be selected from participant situations that have been submitted in advance.  Depending on time and complexity, several examples will be reviewed.  Analysis of bundled compared to unbundled rates will be done using current electric and gas pricing to illustrated the economics of rate design in competitive markets. 

Who Should Attend

Utility analysts, utility employees involved in customer service, sales, or marketing, Utility commission employees, industrial customers, commercial customers, Energy producers, utilities, electric generators, and marketers; energy and electric power executives; traders; marketing, sales, purchasing & risk management personnel; accountants; trading support staff; auditors; attorneys; government regulators; plant operators; engineers and corporate planners.

Prerequisites and Advance Preparation

This fundamental level group online training program has no prerequisites. No advance preparation is required.

Why Choose PGS?

PGS training programs are known for their clear explanations and in-depth content. Register today, and join the over 10,000 industry professionals who trust PGS with their energy training needs.

1Instructor

Jim Crist
President of Lumen Group, Inc

Jim Crist is President of Lumen Group, Inc. headquartered in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. He has over 27 years experience in the energy industry covering coal, gas, oil, propane, and electricity. Jim has conducted many strategic studies of the industry and prepared market and business assessments for several large energy companies. Before founding Lumen Group in 1996, Jim spent 20 years working for major energy companies in engineering, technology development, rate and regulatory policy development and marketing. He served as marketing vice president in both regulated and deregulated entities.  His consulting practice provides strategic planning, marketing and business development, and rate and regulatory consulting, along with serving as an expert witness in regulatory proceedings in several jurisdictions.

On-Demand Access Time

The on-demand training presentation is available for a total of 30 days from the time the training program is first viewed. After 30 days, your access to the online presentation will expire. However the PDF training program slides and other materials you receive are yours to keep.

Program Pricing

$1,295 for the first attendee, $1,095 for the second attendee, and $895 for each attendee thereafter

Special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more. Please email or call (440) 853-1038.

Payment and Cancellations