2026 Event Schedule

The proposed course will provide attendees with an in-depth real world look at the world of utility regulation. Participants will leave the session with a base of knowledge of key regulatory topics, many of which are likely to impact their day-to-day roles. In order to provide attendees with a diverse perspective on utility regulation, this course will be led by a former chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (and current PJM Board member) and a former utility regulatory director from a large IOU. Many utility practitioners and vendors consider the regulatory world a “black box” and don’t fully understand or appreciate the regulatory dynamics that impact their role within the wider utility ecosystem.  This creates gaps in understanding the utility business model and how to design programs and products that align with their relative goals.  This course will shed light on the regulatory process so that attendees will have greater familiarity with common public utility commission practices, procedures, and outcomes.

The course will be split into two sections. The first section will be designed to help attendees gain a better understanding of the basics of utility regulation and how the mechanics of the regulatory process work. Topics in this section will include how utility companies earn money, how rate cases work, revenue requirements, how test years are designed, the linkage between prudency reviews and cost recovery, how certain types of costs are treated, interconnection, and many more topics. 

The second section of the class will focus on current topics in the utility industry and how they are being impacted by regulatory considerations. There are many public policy objectives across the country that are ultimately operationalized through utility companies and utility programs. The outcomes of these initiatives are impacted/influenced by regulatory forces.   This section will help attendees understand the practical implications of utility regulation on public policy initiatives, using real world examples. Topics included in this section will include energy efficiency, affordability, issues with large loads, electrification/decarbonization, grid modernization, equity considerations, siting, and more.

Additional topics planned for discussion in the class are listed below. 

Utility Regulation Basics

• Rate cases
• Utility capital structure
• How utilities make money
• Prudency reviews; what regulators will and won’t allow
• Treatment of Capital vs O&M expenditures
• Performance based ratemaking
• DER interconnection
• FERC Orders and Transmission Integration
• Case studies of public policies
• Innovative rate design
• Cost Recovery

Current Topics

• Electrification
• Future of Gas/Gas system implications
• Grid modernization
• Net Metering and Storage Tariffs
• Affordability / Equity
• Large loads (issues with resource adequacy, system planning, and transmission development)
• Load Growth / DER Proliferation
• Siting facilities
• Decarbonization
• Integrated Energy Planning
• Distribution and Transmission Upgrades