Understanding utility rates and their relationship to utility profits doesn’t have to be confusing.

Master the basics of ratemaking and learn the financial and accounting differences between regulated and unregulated businesses with this comprehensive course. It’s a "must" seminar for anyone who is new to the utility industry. View Past Seminar Attendees

What You Will Learn

1. Plain English explanations of rate and regulatory topics
    
2. The differences of various rate case procedures
    
3. The financial drivers for regulated utilities and how they differ from unregulated businesses
    
4. Methods to improve profitability within utilities
    
5. How pricing structures are designed within rate proceedings

You Will Also Learn

1. Gas rate structures and how to analyze bills
    
2. Electric rate structures and the ways to determine if there are more advantageous rate structures for the customer
    
3. Rate structures in deregulated environments

Seminar Agenda

Morning: 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. 

Afternoon: 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.

Your Instructor

Jim Crist is President of Lumen Group, Inc. headquartered in the suburbs of Pittsburgh.  He has over 30 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 and marketing. He has served as marketing vice president in both regulated and deregulated entities.

Who Should Attend this Seminar?

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

This fundamental level group live seminar has no prerequisites. No advance preparation is required before the seminar.

Why Choose PGS?

Since 1996, PGS seminars have been known for their clear explanations and in-depth content. Register for a PGS program today, and team up with the leader in electric power and energy education. Over 3,000 energy and financial professionals have already attended PGS's proven courses. View Past Seminar Attendees

Prices

Please call 412-494-0450 for pricing information.

CPE Credits

This group live seminar is eligible for 7.0 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. For more information on PGS policies regarding administrative matters and complaint resolution, please contact our offices at 412-494-0450.

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 addressed to the National Registry of  CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasba.org. CPAs interested in attending any seminars  should contact our offices for details on CPE credits granted and any prerequisite requirements.