60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program
“CAMP NARUC”

When:

August 6-10, 2018
Open to the public and not-for-profit sectors

Intermediate Course

Essential education in regulatory jurisdiction, utility market structures, trends and drivers, and policy issues.

About the program

This essential two-week program, known as “Camp NARUC” and NARUC endorsed, is designed specifically to meet the needs of regulatory professionals, particularly members of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. With more than 1,000 years of experience, the Institute’s diverse program faculty is drawn from various academic, governmental, and other organizations. Presentations cover all aspects of the regulatory process, as applied generally and particularly to electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications sectors. Methods of instruction provide opportunities for exploration and interaction, and concurrent and bonus sessions allow participants to tailor the program to their particular needs and areas of interest and responsibility. Attendees receive a certificate of completion from Michigan State University and the program is consistently eligible for CLE and CPE credits in most jurisdictions.

See the program faculty biographies here.

Program benefits

The Annual Regulatory Studies Program:

• Is designed specifically and exclusively for the utility regulation policy community.
• Creates a unique venue for total immersion in modern regulatory theory, institutions, and processes.
• Presents timely, essential, and practical information, perspectives, and decision-making tools.
• Takes a neutral and reasoned approach to contemporary structural and regulatory change.
• Provides an opportunity to learn from a diverse faculty of experienced experts
• Encourages active learning and interaction among program faculty members and participants.
• Facilitates the formation of life-long networks among professional colleagues in the regulatory field.

Program format

The Annual Regulatory Studies Program is grounded in sound regulatory theory and established practices. The curriculum is comprehensive and intensive and includes general sessions, topical workshops, and sector-specific tracks on the electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications sectors. The Fundamentals Course focuses on the foundations and fundamentals of utility regulation. The program emphasizes the disciplines and skills essential for participating in an increasingly demanding and complex regulatory process. Core economic, legal, accounting, finance, and policy theories and concepts are introduced. The Fundamentals Course is especially suited to attendees relatively new to utility regulation. The Intermediate Course concentrates on dynamic structural and regulatory issues, including emerging methods, issues, and sector-specific market concerns. Week Two will be of interest to both new and seasoned regulatory personnel. Multiple tracks allow participants to explore various areas of interest. Interactive instruction emphasizes applied technical knowledge.

Program learning objectives

 Fundamental Course – Week 1

• To understand the core theory, principles, and practices of public utility regulation.
• To understand the economic and legal basis for utility regulation.
• To understand the role of accounting and finance in the regulatory process.
• To understand the basics of the utility rate-setting process.
• To compare and contrast the utility sectors (electricity, gas, water, and telecom).

 Intermediate Course – Week 2

• To understand how regulation has evolved and adapted to changing conditions.
• To understand the federal and state roles in utility regulation.
• To understand how regulation relates to anti-trust policy and environmental protection.
• To understand contemporary issues and methods specific to the utility sectors.
• To understand the consumer perspective in utility regulation.

Program Level: The Week 1 program is classified as “basic” and no prerequisites apply.  The Week 2 program is classified as “intermediate.”  Both programs are accessible to early career professionals working in the regulatory policy community.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites are required to attend Week 1. Week 2 participants should have completed Week 1 of the program, attended another introductory program (such as the NARUC Utility Rate School), or have relevant academic or practical experience.  Background and preparatory resources are available on the IPU website as well as the IPU research page.

Delivery Format: 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.

Come back to camp

As a leading provider of continuing education in our field, IPU welcomes new and “experienced” campers and the program provides a great opportunity to reflect and refresh. The Camp curriculum builds on a tradition of knowledge and experience while incorporating new developments in the regulatory field. Week One can be used to revisit the fundamentals, the basic “why and how” of economic regulation in the contemporary context. Week Two stands alone as a short course for new and seasoned professionals who need timely information to meet the challenges of modern regulation. Concurrent tracks in the industry sectors and special workshops provide opportunities for immersion in new issues. Daytime and evening sessions, along with networking breaks, encourage interaction among attendees and program faculty. Even for those who have attended IPU programs in the past, lifelong learners will find that coming back to Camp will be a professionally enjoyable and beneficial experience. And keep in mind that Rate School is eligible for continuing education credits as well as IPU’s new Certificate of Continuing Regulatory Education, details of which are available at www.ipu.msu.edu.

Returning Campers receive a 10% discount on their registration fee.

Continuing education credits

The instructional hours for the program are indicated on the agenda and a personal attendance form that you can use to certify your attendance for continuing education purposes. If you would like IPU-MSU to certify your attendance for continuing education purposes, please complete the form and turn it in at the conclusion of the program.

IPU programs are NASBA approved for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits in accounting. For Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and other credits, attendees must submit application materials to their certifying body. IPU will provide a confirmation letter and certificate based on reported attendance and program hours.

Attendees from the public and nonprofit sectors will also earn credit toward IPU’s Certificate of Continuing Regulatory Education (CCRE). Please visitipu.msu.edu/ccre for details.

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]) or IPU Program Coordinator, Mrs. Erin West ([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

Don’t just take our word for it, hear what past Camp attendees think about the program.

• “Thanks for a wonderful Camp NARUC. Yesterday, I presented an 1 hour overview of my experience… to share some of the things I learned. It was very well received and I would expect that we will send staff for training to some of the IPU educational programs in the future (and I am planning to attend Week 2 during one of the next couple of years).”
• “I was long on good intentions, but short on technical details and knowledge when appointed as a Commissioner to serve my home state. Thank goodness MSU’s Institute of Public Utilities provides their amazing two week course, covering every topic that I am now responsible for knowing. MSU filled my head and built my passion for these issues and I am a better public servant today because of their great courses,” (Commissioner).
• “I was very pleased with the knowledge base that I have gained through Camp.”
• “The best thing about Camp has been the many different perspectives on regulatory policy.”
• “The best thing about Camp has been the excellent quality of the wide variety of lecturers, and the depth of their knowledge and experience.”
• The program faculty members were… “informative,” “engaging,” “interesting”, “exceptional”, “inspiring,” “intriguing”, “brilliant!”
• “The sessions last summer really helped in fast-forwarding me into the regulatory business, and the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t really understand.”
• “Thanks for the outstanding week….I have learned so much and will now feel more confident in my regulatory role.”
• “The week was packed with valuable information.”
• “Camp was a life changing experience for me.”
• “Excellent information…very up-to-date.”
• “…an overall GREAT program”
• “The IPU staff is OUTSTANDING – helpful, intelligent, friendly – absolutely a first rate conference put on by real professionals”