13th Advanced Regulatory Studies Program:
Ratemaking, Accounting, Finance, and Evaluation

Intensive, interactive, and technical workshops for experienced professionals in the regulatory policy community

 

 

 

 


Attendee Presentations

Supplemental Materials

The regular program takes place Monday through Friday noon, with a special introduction session on Sunday. The dress code for the program is campus casual. The Sunday preceding the program features the short course “Introduction to Public Utility Regulation”.

 


About the program

The IPU Advanced Regulatory Studies Program is a series of specialized half-day and all-day workshops designed to provide public-sector and private-sector professionals in the regulatory policy community with a unique opportunity to interact and exchange ideas on technical, methodological, and policy issues. Each workshop provides an intensive, immersive and peer-based learning experience, emphasizing discipline-based analytical methods and theoretical rigor coupled with practical hands-on problems and exercises. The program faculty includes nationally known experts who draw from both academic and applied perspectives. The Advanced Program reflects our commitment to providing a reasoned and empirical approach to contemporary regulatory issues. The program offers flexible tracks focusing on ratemaking, accounting, finance, and economics. Half-day sessions allow participants to fully customize the program to their interests. IPU also offers “Introduction to Public Utility Regulation” on the Sunday preceding the program.


Who should attend 

The program is open to everyone and is designed for experienced professionals in the regulatory policy community, including federal and state personnel, consumer advocates, and private-sector professionals. Generalists and specialists in the utility sectors will benefit from attending. Past attendees of IPU programs – including the Annual Regulatory Studies Program (“Camp”) and the NARUC Utility Rate School – will find that the workshops offer a unique professional development experience. IPU will also arrange continuing education credits for accountants and attorneys as requested. The Advanced Program provides not only a great learning environment, but also a great forum for exchanging ideas and networking with professional peers.


Topics covered 

  • Fundamentals of revenue requirements
  • GAAP vs. regulatory accounting
  • Forecasting for resource planning
  • Lifecycle accounting for utility assets
  • Econometric forecasting methods
  • Ratecase auditing and prudence review
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Pricing, behavior, and demand response
  • Capital structure and rate design
  • Regulatory treatment of income taxes
  • Energy efficiency evaluation
  • Cost allocation and rate design
  • Utility asset depreciation
  • Utility performance benchmarking
  • Utility asset retirement
  • Economics of environmental policies
  • Economics of alternative ratemaking
  • Utility credit markets and ratings
  • Evaluating electricity market performance
  • Performance regulation and rates
  • Market valuation of public utilities
  • Locational marginal pricing
  • Water regulation and pricing issues
  • Regulatory risks and incentives
  • Valuation of distributed energy resources

Program learning objectives

  • To understand regulatory ratemaking, accounting, and economics at an advanced level.
  • To explore the contemporary regulatory methods and issues in depth.
  • To develop critical thinking and evaluation skills needed for regulatory analysis.
  • To engage in a peer-to-peer educational and networking opportunity.
  • To provide a hands-on learning experience through guided exercises.

Program Level: The program is classified as “advanced.” It is best for experienced professionals who have attended one or more of the courses classified as basic or intermediate.

Program Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites apply to this program. However, attendees are strongly encouraged to attend only after participating in one or more of the basic or intermediate courses. Some professional experience is also helpful. Preparatory resources are available on the IPU website on the Advanced Regulatory Studies program page as well as the IPU research page.

Program Delivery: The program delivery method is classified as a “group-live” event and consists primarily of lectures by experienced professionals, including examples and opportunity for discussion. Active learning and participation are encouraged. Instructors are accessible for individual assistance throughout the program.

 

More information

Cancellation and Refunds: Cancellations are generally accepted until one week before the program. Substitutions are accepted at any time. Program fees may be applied toward a future program or refunded.

Comments and Complaints: IPU welcomes program input and feedback. Participants will be asked to complete program evaluation forms. Comments and complaints about the program may be directed to IPU Director, Dr. Janice A. Beecher ([email protected]).

NASBA National Registry Statement: The Institute of Public Utilities 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 the final authority on the acceptance of individual course for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

This program is relevant to the following NASBA fields of study:  administrative practice, accounting and auditing (corporate and governmental), business law, economics, finance, taxes, regulatory ethics, and specialized knowledge and applications.


Testimonials

What past Advanced attendees say about the program:

  • “I really enjoyed the program last week, all the courses were beneficial in some way, I learned a good bit. Thank you for providing the platform for those of us out here looking for training.”
  • “A solid understanding of the fundamentals of regulation is essential in addressing contemporary issues facing utilities and regulators. The bonus session offered at IPU programs is a great opportunity to explore the historical and conceptual underpinnings of regulation.”
  • “I think my understanding of regulation was upgraded…”
  • “This is a very effective (time-wise and cost-wise) venue for participants to access a wide range of topics.”
  • “Very interesting and relevant topics. The interaction between participants from other states and countries was very useful.”
  • “Excellent information – excellent presenters.”
  • “Very useful workshop…”
  • “Great follow-up to Rate School!”
  • “As always… IPU is awesome!”
  • “You put on a great program… I enjoyed it quite a bit. In some respects I left with more questions than I had when I came into the program; I think that’s a good sign… Again, great job with the program. Really enjoyed the instructors and their presentations, as well as the discussion among classmates.”