Who Should Attend:
Accounting and finance staff, policymakers, and any utility employee with an interest in ratemaking and/or cost-of-service analysis.
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 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.
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 Power Administration 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.
Instructor:
Amber Gschwend, Managing Director, EES Consulting
Russ Schneider, Senior Project Manager, EES Consulting
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 one. Class will run from 9 a.m. to noon on day two. Lunch will be provided on day one, and refreshments will be provided both days.
Location:
Northwest Public Power Association
9817 NE 54th St., Suite 200
Vancouver, WA 98662
(360) 254-0109
Suggested Hotel:
Heathman Lodge
7801 NE Greenwood Dr.
Vancouver, WA 98662
(360) 254-3100
Ask for the NWPPA rate for 15% off advertised prices.
Fees:
Utility Member Early Bird (ends 2/11/2025): $1,200
Utility Member Standard: $1,275
Associate Member Early Bird (ends 2/11/2025): $1,800
Associate Member Standard: $1,875
Non-Member Early Bird (ends 2/11/2025): $2,400
Non-Member Standard: $2,475
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 Policy:
For webinars, virtual classes, and section meetings: cancellations at least five days prior to the event will receive a full refund; within 1-4 days or no show, the charge will be 100% of the registration fee.
For in-person events: cancellations at least 30 days prior to the event will receive a full refund; within 15-29 days there will be a $100 fee; and within 1-14 days or no show, the charge will be 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 contact us at registration@nwppa.org or (360) 254-0109.
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 website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
