This intermediate level seminar provides an overview of the fundamentals of natural gas and electricity regulation. It is designed for professionals familiar with the basics of the natural gas and/or electricity industry who need to broaden their knowledge of how regulation works and how they can enhance personal and organizational success through participation in the regulatory process. (See Course Content for details on the many topics covered.)

Course length
One and one-half days

Prerequisites
No prerequisites or advance preparation is required. However a basic knowledge of the natural gas and/or electric industry is helpful.

Who should take this course?

• Experienced natural gas and electricity company employees who have limited knowledge of electricity and gas regulation
• Experienced professionals moving into the energy industry
• Recent hires into regulatory positions in natural gas and electricity companies
• Energy professionals who are becoming active in regulatory proceedings or who have interaction with regulators
• Natural gas and electricity company supervisors and managers who will oversee participants in regulatory proceedings or interactions with regulators
• Finance, legal, public relations, and regulatory professionals needinga better understanding of natural gas and electricity regulation
  

What you will learn
Upon completing Energy Regulation Fundamentals, you will have a basic understanding of the regulatory process for gas and electric energy companies. You will understand:

• Who the regulators are
• What they regulate
• Why regulation exists
• The basic types of regulatory cases and proceedings
• How regulatory proceedings work
• What deregulation is and how it works
• The future of energy regulation

This knowledge will empower you to better participate in the regulatory process, to successfully interact with regulators, to decipher the impacts of specific regulatory decisions, and to understand the ongoing role of regulation in competitive markets.

Registration fee

$990 (save $100 if paid three weeks prior to seminar). This fee includes continental breakfast, lunch (first day only) and afternoon break. The fee also inlcudes full-color course materials and a networking reception the first night.

Locations

Group discount

Attend this seminar with your workgroup and you can save up to 25%. For every three people from the same company who attend this course, the fourth is free!

Special offer

Attend Energy Regulation Fundamentals and you will receive a one-year subscription to Public Utilities Fortnightly, a $169 value.

Networking reception

At all two-day seminars we offer a hosted reception the first night which gives you the opportunity to network with colleagues in a casual and comfortable environment.

Satisfaction guaranteed

Enerdynamics believes its seminars and training programs are the best in the industry. We are proud to offer a money-back satisfaction guarantee: If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your program, we'll gladly refund your entire registration fee. For more information regarding administrative policies such as complaint and refund, please contact us at 866.765.5432.

Cancellation policy

Registrations cancelled two weeks or more prior to the seminar date will receive a full refund minus a 10% administrative fee or a credit for 100% of the registration fee good towards any other Enerdynamics product. Registrations cancelled with less than two weeks notice but more than two days notice will receive a credit for 100% of the registration fee good towards any other Enerdynamics product. Registrations cancelled with less than two days notice are not eligible for refund or credit. Substitutions may be made at any time and without additional cost.

Course content

Introduction

• What and who is regulated, and why
• Basic regulatory vocabulary
• Major concepts
• How regulated and unregulated companies make money
• How regulation impacts the natural gas and electricity industries

Overview of Regulation

• Role of the monopoly energy company
• The Regulatory Compact
• Why we regulate
• What is regulated
  • Tariffs and rates
  • Policies
  • Role of legislation
• What is not regulated
• The State and Federal regulators
• Other regulators
• Legislative influence
• Goals of regulation
  • Economic efficiency of utility and pipeline assets
  • Consumer protection
    • Fair and reasonable prices
    • Non-discriminatio
    • Reliability and safety of services
  • Market behavior
  • Programs for the public good
• How we regulate
  • Traditional cost-based regulation
    • The concept of cost-based regulation
    • How utilities achieve earnings under traditional regulation
    • Risks under traditional regulation
    • Examples of traditional regulation
  • Incentive regulation
    • The concept of incentive regulation
    • Increasing earnings with incentives
    • Types of incentive regulation
    • Changing the behavior of regulated companies
    • The risk factor for regulated companies
    • Examples of incentives

Major regulatory proceedings

• Purpose of regulatory proceedings
• Role of the participants in a regulatory proceeding
  • Commissioners
  • Commission staff
  • ALJ
  • Interveners
  • Utility employees
    • Case witness
    • Case manager
    • Other
• Overview of the process
• Major proceedings initiated by the regulators (Federal and State)

• NOPRs
• Investigations
• Rulemakings
• Major rate cases for regulated companies (Federal and State)
  • General rate cases
  • Cost of capital cases
  • Certificate cases
• Cost allocation cases
• Other cases
• Complaint cases

Evolution of Regulation

• Major trends
  • Traditional to incentive regulation
  • Full regulation to lighter handed regulation
  • Increased customer choice
  • Increased utility risk
• Deregulation
  • Why deregulate?
  • Key functions to change under deregulation
    • Customer choice
    • Stranded costs
    • Provider of last resort
    • Billing
    • Data management
    • Regulation of distributor
    • Societal programs
  • History of gas and electric deregulation
  • Influence of other industries
  • Role of the regulator
  • Successes and failures
  • Fallout and consequences
• Future of regulation
  • Dealing with the past
  • Moving forward
  • Future of deregulation
  • Influence of politics, the public and international energy policy
  • Balancing the needs of customers with the needs of energy providers

CPE Credits

Enerdynamics Corp. 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 addressed to the National Registry of CPE sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasba.org

Upon completion, you will received 12 hours of CPE credit for this course.

Delivery Method

Group-live