June 22, 2023

Ratemaking Fundamentals: Information Every Utility Professional Should Know

Virtual, Instructor-Led

Event Summary

This 3.5-hour course will introduce employees to key ratemaking fundamentals for the natural gas industry. It is important that individuals working in the natural gas industry gain an understanding of the key fundamentals, since almost everyone in the industry has some impact on rates, just as rates affect how we all work.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The course provides information on key ratemaking fundamentals from the pipeline and LDC perspective, such as:

  • Which regulatory agency has jurisdiction for specific assets and transactions
  • Considerations and components of determining revenue requirements
  • Cost-causation, gradualism, and political pragmatism
  • Rate and earnings implications of O&M expense vs. capital investment vs. depreciation expense
  • Considerations and components of rate design
  • Assignment and allocation of common costs
  • Future trends in ratemaking
  • How to manage more effectively within a regulated utility

The course underscores how participants can work and manage more effectively within a regulated environment.

Attendees will receive 3 Professional Development Hours (PDH) and a Level 1 Natural Gas Utility Ratemaking Professional badge from Credly upon completion.

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Non-rate professionals from any department who would benefit from a broad understanding of key rate fundamentals, including Operations, Government Relations, Marketing, Public Affairs, Investor Relations, Accounting, Engineering, and other departments.

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Credly Digital Badge

Level 1 Natural Gas Utility Ratemaking Professional


SGA has partnered with Credly, the leader in digital credentials, to certify the recipients have a fundamental working knowledge of pipeline and local distribution company’s ratemaking processes. Individuals have demonstrated the ability to identify regulatory agency jurisdiction, determine revenue requirements, cost-causation, gradualism, and political pragmatism. They understand rate and earnings implications of O&M expense versus capital investments versus depreciation, and future trends in ratemaking.

Criteria

To earn this badge, participants must complete Southern Gas Association’s Utility Ratemaking Fundamentals or Introduction to Ratemaking course. Additionally, they must be employed and have professional, technical, or field exposure that is directly attributed to the natural gas industry.

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Meet the Instructor


Mark Caudill, Attorney at Law, Mark D. Caudill, LLC

Mark Caudill is an attorney with more than 30 years of energy utility regulatory, legal, and management experience, including work before numerous state commissions and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Mark has served: natural gas distribution companies, interstate pipelines, and producers; electric distribution companies, transmission companies, and generators; energy marketers; and financial institutions that fund utility-related transactions. Based in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Mark is currently admitted to the Georgia and Alabama state bars. He works with companies and their local attorneys in matters regarding regulated markets. His clients include some of the leading energy companies in North America.

Mark previously served as a vice president and practice leader at MCR, a national management consulting firm specializing in regulated industries. Mark provided in-depth knowledge and expertise, including traditional ratemaking, alternative forms of regulation, supply and capacity planning, and regulatory case management. Prior to joining MCR, Mark served as Vice President for Energy Competition, and Corporate Secretary and Vice President for Rates and Regulatory at AGL Resources; Vice President of Rates and Regulatory for Atlanta Gas Light; Director of State Regulatory Affairs for Southern Natural Gas Company and Sonat; and as the Deputy Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement and the Special Assistant to the Deputy General Counsel at FERC.

In addition to appearing as an attorney in many rate and regulatory proceedings, Mark has appeared as an expert witness before state utility commission, FERC, state legislative committees, and U.S. congressional committees. Additionally, Mark regularly presents at industry and professional conferences, and he conducts seminars, workshops and mock trial training exercises to enhance the effectiveness of rate departments and in-house fact, policy and expert witnesses.

When

From 06-22-2023 9:00 am CST until 06-22-2023 12:30 pm CST


Where

Virtual


Registration Information
Member $350
Non-Member $455

3% fee applied if paying by a credit card

Who can attend?

SGA Cancellation Policy "C"

Have any questions? Contact us. memberservices@southerngas.org