Event Profile

Advanced Rate Design and Cost of Service

Date(s):
April 29 — 30, 2024
Venue:
Residence Inn Boise City Center
Description:

Who Should Attend:

Accounting and finance staff, policymakers, or any utility employee with an interest in ratemaking and/or cost-of-service analysis.

Course Overview:

Join us for an engaging and informative one-and-a-half-day course that will empower you with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to excel in the dynamic world of utility rate design. Our seasoned rate experts from EES will guide you through a hands-on exploration of both advanced rate design concepts and the crucial considerations when setting utility rates.

By attending this course, you will benefit from:

  • Expert Guidance: Learn from experienced rate experts with extensive industry knowledge.
  • Hands-On Learning: Gain practical skills through workshops and Excel modeling.
  • Financial Sustainability: Develop the ability to meet multiple financial ratios from both accrual and cash perspectives.
  • Comprehensive Rate Knowledge: Master a wide range of rate topics, from traditional to emerging designs.
  • Effective Rate Implementation: Understand the billing impact considerations of different rate designs and how to apply them effectively.
  • Strategic Insights: Stay ahead of the curve with insights into emerging market developments and evolving industry dynamics.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your utility rate design skills, maximize your utility's financial sustainability, and take your career to the next level. Your utility, your customers, and your bottom line will thank you.

Course Agenda:

Day 1 - Cost-Based Rate Making. On the first day, you'll dive into the fundamentals of equitable rate setting. This comprehensive agenda covers:

  • Best Practices for Rate Setting: Understand the core principles of effective rate setting.
  • Actual Practices for Rate Setting: Explore real-world examples and industry standards.
  • Moving Toward Best Practices: Learn how to navigate the challenges and complexities of rate setting.
  • Cost of Service and Unit Costs: Discover how these concepts form the basis for fair and balanced rates.
  • COSA Model Workshop: Get hands-on with Excel modeling to develop revenue requirements, cost allocations, and perform bill impact analyses. You'll learn how to assess the impact of rate changes on various stakeholders, including customers, boards, and participants.

Day 2 - Advanced Rate Design Topics. The second day focuses on cutting-edge rate design strategies and emerging market considerations. Topics include:

  • Electrification Rates: Explore system capacity fees and growth considerations in the era of electrification.
  • Flexible Demand Rates: Understand the benefits and implications of flexible demand rates in the context of beneficial electrification.
  • Electric Vehicle Rates and Perspectives: Gain insights into retail and commercial electric vehicle rates and incentives.
  • Bonneville Tiered Rate Design: Analyze post-2028 modernization considerations.
  • Emerging Markets: Learn how to effectively pass on benefits and costs in rates within evolving market dynamics.
  • Avoided Cost and Net Metering Rate Strategies: Explore strategies for rate setting in a Tier 2 world with a focus on avoided cost and net metering.

    Program level: Intermediate
    Prerequisite: None
    Advanced Preparation for this webinar is not required.
    Delivery method: Group Live
    Recommended CPE: 9.6
    Recommended field of study: Specialized Knowledge - 9.6
    Other Continuing Hours: This course qualifies for 9 hours of CEU. NWPPA certificates will be available online upon full completion of the webinar.

Course Instructor:

Amber Gschwend, Managing Director, EES Consulting; Russ Schneider, Senior Project Manager, EES Consulting

Course Schedule:

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time, and the class will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on day 1. Class will run from 9 a.m. to noon on day 2. Lunch will be provided on day 1. Refreshments will be provided on both days.

Course Location:

Residence Inn Boise Downtown/City Center
400 S Capitol Blvd
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 424-9999

Room rate: $199
Please book your room as soon as possible, but no later than April 7, 2024, to secure the above rate.

Course Fees:

Utility Member Early Bird (ends 3/29/2024): $1,300
Utility Member Standard: $1,375

Associate Member Early Bird (ends 3/29/2024): $1,950
Associate Member Standard: $2,025

Non-Member Early Bird (ends 3/29/2024): $2,600
Non-Member Standard: $2,675

Note: Organizations that register a group of employees will receive every fifth registration for free. For example, if you register five employees, you only pay for four; register 10 employees, you only pay for eight; and so on. There is nothing additional you need to do to receive this discount.

Cancellation Policies:

For webinars, virtual classes, and section meetings: cancellation at least five days prior to the event, full refund; within 1-4 days or no show, 100% of the registration fee.

For in-person events: cancellation at least 30 days prior to the event, full refund; within 15-29 days, $100 fee; and within 1-14 days or no show, 100% of the registration fee.

When possible, please send a substitute instead of canceling; NWPPA does not charge a fee for substitutions. To request a refund, please email registration@nwppa.org or call (360) 816-1457.

The Northwest Public Power Association 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 web site: www.nasbaregistry.org.

For More Information:

To find out more about this event, or to learn about other events, view the Training and Event Catalog.