Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts

Return to the two-part Cost of Service & Rate Design Virtual Series.

Timing

Attend two real-time sessions from Noon – 3:30 p.m. ET on September 24 & 25. There will be two 10-minute breaks in each session.

Unable to make the live sessions? Recordings will be made available (automatically to those who register) a week after each course takes place.

Delivery Method/Learning Environment

This course is a Group Internet based offering (via Zoom) and combines real-time presentation, polling questions, real-world examples, Q&A and group discussion.

Course Overview

The electric industry is changing, and policies related to customer rate structures are no longer consistent with how a utility’s costs are incurred. Learn how to send proper price signals and how social and environmental objectives may factor into rate designs. Review rate trends and strategies from utilities across the nation and hear how others are integrating distributed energy resources and restructuring rates for electric vehicles, solar valuation and fixed and variable cost recovery. Gain hands-on experience by designing rates for a sample utility.

Course Topics

Considerations when developing a long-term rate strategy
Rate options for utilities both with and without AMI
Developing a strategic rate plan to meet long-term utility goals and properly recover costs
Valuation and billing methodologies for rooftop solar customers and battery storage
Rate structures and strategies for electric vehicle charging stations
Evaluating customer and demand charges, time of use rates, real-time pricing, coincident peak demand rates, identifying marginal costs, and setting a proper price signal
Special rates: economic development, rates for large customers, standby rates, rate structures to promote electric vehicles, etc.
Understanding power cost adjustment mechanisms
Developing standby rates for customers installing combined heat and power generators
Educating staff, management, governing bodies, and customers about long-term rate strategies
Utility rate trends and case studies

Course Level/Prerequisites/Advance Preparation

Intermediate Level: No prerequisites; no advance preparation. A basic working knowledge of the fundamentals of electric utility finance is helpful, as this course references industry terms and dives into high-level trends and strategies.

For those looking for more comprehensive training, it is highly recommended that you attend this course in conjunction with APPA’s Basic Cost of Service & Key Financial Concepts (Sep. 17 & 18). A discounted bundled rate is available.

Who Should Attend?

Courses in the Cost of Service & Rate Design Series are designed for utility general managers, finance and accounting personnel, rate analysts, financial planners, as well as policymakers.

Accreditation

The following continuing education credits will be provided for this Group Internet based event, after successfully completing 90% of the two live sessions. Review the guidelines for successful completion in the “Accreditation” dropdown below.

Recommended CEUs .6/PDHs 5.5/CPEs 6.2 (total for the two-part course)
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

Instructors

Mark Beauchamp, CPA, CMA, MBA, is the President of Utility Financial Solutions. He has over 35 years of experience in electric utility consulting and management. In his previous positions, Beauchamp has assisted with improvements to accounting and operation practices, risk assessments, cost of service, and competitive rate designs. He is a frequent speaker at national and regional conferences and has taught a variety of courses for the Association. He holds degrees in water purification technology and accounting, as well as a master’s degree in business.

Chris Lund, Financial Consultant with Utility Financial Solutions, has been a full-time member of the UFS team since 2011, and part-time technology consultant since 2003, brings over 30 years of experience in financial, technology and management consulting to our team. Using tools and knowledge gained through experience and his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Science and Speech Communications, Chris specializes in studies for electric (with specialization in distributed generation), water, wastewater, and telecommunications utilities.

About Utility Financial Solutions
Utility Financial Solutions specializes in electric, water, wastewater, telecommunications and gas cost of service studies, unbundling studies, competitive rate designs, financial projections and special financial analysis. They are one of the largest providers of financial services to utilities across the United States. Their team includes engineers, accountants and economists that have completed hundreds of cost of service studies, rate studies, and financial projections for utilities in 39 states, Canada, Guam, and the British Grand Cayman Island. They also teach a variety of in-depth courses and speak at industry events across the country. Learn more about Utility Financial Solutions.

Questions?

Registration/Billing: Registration@PublicPower.org
Schedule/Content/Accreditation: EducationInfo@PublicPower.org

Registration

Register now!

Registration Fees

Registration is for individual access. If you have multiple people interested in attending, group discounts are available.

	Members*
Bundled Series - includes both courses (Save $200)	$995
Individual Courses
Basic Cost of Service & Key Financial Targets – Sep. 17 & 18	$595
Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts – Sep. 24 & 25	$595
*Non-member rates are double the member rates.

Group Discounts

Save money when your organization registers five or more people for the same class or the bundled series. The larger your group, the more you save!

Registrations must be submitted on the same order (at the same time) to qualify for the group discount; discounts cannot be retroactively applied to previous orders.

If you need assistance, contact Registration@PublicPower.org.

Number of registrants	Individual Courses	Bundled Courses
1-4	n/a	n/a
5-9	$50	$100
10-14	$100	$200
15-24	$150	$300
25+	$200	$400

Registration Help

Check out our Registration FAQs for answers to the most common questions and help with all your registration-related issues.

Cancellations/No-Show/Refunds/Substitutions

All events will be recorded and attendees will automatically receive a copy of the recordings, in case you can’t attend live.

Registrants who cancel in writing at least seven days before the first day of a course are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after that will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for this event only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel at least seven days before the course start date are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund.

Cancellation deadlines:

Public Power Forward Series (both courses) — Cancellations must be received on/before September 10
- Basic Cost of Service & Key Financial Targets — Cancellations must be received on/before September 10
- Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts — Cancellations must be received on/before September 17

Cancellation requests should be made through your My.PublicPower portal, or addressed to: Registration@PublicPower.org.

Questions?

Registration/Billing: Registration@PublicPower.org
Schedule/Content/Accreditation: EducationInfo@PublicPower.org

Accreditation

Earn While You Learn!

Participate in virtual programs to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Continuing Professional Education credits (CPEs).

What Educational Credits Are Available?

You can earn the following kinds of continuing education credits for attending live sessions — provided the following requirements are met.

Requirements for Successful Completion: Virtual

Registration is for individual access, so each person participating must register. If you have multiple people interested in attending, group discounts are available.
Individuals are required to attend and actively participate in 90% of each live session and complete an online evaluation after the last session in a course.
- Attendance: Individuals must attend at least 90% of each live session (based on electronic timestamps in Zoom).
- Participation: Active participation in class will include engagement activities such as: polling/check-in questions, Q&A, and group discussions.
- Activities vary by class: Information on participation will be provided the day before (and during) class. Participation is tracked electronically.
- Online evaluation: Each person must complete an online evaluation after each course concludes.
Partial credit cannot be given for partial attendance.
Attendance is monitored by an APPA staff member during the event, through an online report log, and upon review of the post-event evaluation data
Completion certificates will be available within two weeks of the last session in a live event (for those who meet the requirements) through your APPA member portal (access instructions will be provided).
Virtual sessions are recorded (attendees automatically receive access to recordings within a week of the last session), though continuing education credits can only be given for attending live events. Recordings will be accessible for 90 days after the last session.

Guidelines for group participation in virtual events

If a group is participating in a conference room together, we recommend each person still logs in individually from a laptop to ensure attendance and participation requirements are met (as noted above).
If individual log in is not possible, the organization must designate one person as the main point of contact. Email EducationInfo@PublicPower.org in advance of the virtual event noting this information
- This person will record attendance in the room in the room (we can provide a sample attendance tracker) and ensure attendance and participation from the group throughout.
- Submit the attendance record to APPA within 2 business days of the conclusion of a virtual event.
- Ensure each person fills out the required online evaluation

What educational credits are available?

You can earn the following kinds of continuing education credits for attending live sessions—provided the following requirements are met:

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): The American Public Power Association is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. For information regarding certification status, attendance requirements and obtaining attendee transcripts, contact EducationInfo@PublicPower.org. Verify our IACET Accreditation.

Professional Development Hours (PDHs): The American Public Power Association’s educational practices are consistent with the criteria for awarding Professional Development Hours (PDHs) as established by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Course eligibility and number of PDHs may vary by state.

Questions?

Registration/Billing: Registration@PublicPower.org
Schedule/Content/Accreditation: EducationInfo@PublicPower.org

Additional Information

Format and Log-In Information

These classes will be offered on the Zoom meeting platform.

Communication

24 hours after registering: You’ll receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of registering, which contains some preliminary information.
24 hours before the event:
- You’ll receive your Zoom log in link the day before the first session in a course (sent from the APPA Academy’s Zoom account <no-reply@zoom.us>)
- You’ll also receive a final logistics email 24 hours in advance of the first class.
  - If you don’t receive this, email EducationInfo@PublicPower.org.

Course Access and Materials

Zoom Links: Zoom log in credentials will be sent out 24 hours before the start of the first session in a class.
Course Materials: Attendees will receive access to course materials the day before each session through the "Documents" section of their My.PublicPower.org user portal.
Recordings: All sessions will be recorded and can be accessed through your user portal as well (within a week of the last class in the program), in case you can’t attend the live versions. Recordings will be accessible for 90 days after the last session. Note: Continuing education credits can only be issued for attending live sessions.

Technology Requirements

Zoom Meeting Application: Attendees are required to have strong Internet access, in order to run the Zoom meeting platform.
Audio/Webcam: You will need to enable computer audio to listen and speak (alternatively a call-in number will be provided) and you will also need a webcam, so you can fully engage in the small group breakout sessions and group discussions.

New to Zoom?

If you haven't participated in a Zoom meeting before, please download the Zoom web client from the Zoom Download Center. This will enable you to access all of the Zoom tools and functionality vs. using the web version. Then, visit Zoom.us/test to ensure you are able to join a meeting.

If you are not able to download the Zoom web client, you can still participate via your Internet browser. We recommend using Chrome for the best results.

Privacy and Security

The American Public Power Association takes your privacy and security very seriously. For this reason, we have put the following security measures in place for this course: