Cost of Service Workshop: Implementation and Applications

Back to Fall Institute Courses

Timing

Wednesday, October 2 – Thursday, October 3
8:30 am – 5:00 pm each day

Course Overview

Explore the ins and outs of cost of service — from key concepts to the nuts and bolts of working through a cost of service model. Get hands-on experience working with an actual Excel model to apply cost of service and rate design principles and processes to electric, water, sewer, gas, and other municipal services. Complete the step-by-step process of putting a cost of service study together and review how to develop a fully functional and unbundled cost of service study. As you explore what it takes to do a thorough cost analysis, gain lessons learned from real-world examples.

Course Topics

Basic cost of service and pricing concepts, terminology, and processes
Collecting and using cost of service data and organizing costs
Allocating municipal facilities and expenses
Classifying generation, transmission, and distribution expenses
Categorizing generation types and primary cost components
Collecting and applying load research data
Developing and applying cost allocation factors
Gauging customer voltage levels
Apply cost allocation factors in a cost of service model
Determining monthly customer facilities and billing costs
Identifying bundled and unbundled primary cost components
Applying cost of service components to rate designs
Understanding the limitations of a traditional cost-of-service model

What to Bring

Participants are required to bring a laptop with Excel and PowerPoint, to work through in-class exercises.

Course Level

Intermediate: No prerequisites; no advance preparation. Often taken in conjunction with APPA’s Basic Cost of Service & Key Financial Concepts, and Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts courses.

Accreditation

The following continuing education credits will be provided, after successfully completing the course (click "Accreditation" tab to review requirements). Certificates will be available by November 1.

Recommended CEUs 1.3/PDHs 13/CPEs 15
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

Recommended for

Rate analysts and utility staff who are responsible for implementing cost of service studies or want to learn how the process is completed and applied.

Instructors

Phil Euler is an independent consultant specializing in financial planning, cost-of-service studies, and rate design for publicly owned utilities. Phil’s industry experience includes 13 years as the manager of engineering services for NMPP Energy in Lincoln Nebraska and 30 years with the Lincoln Electric System, where he specialized in financial planning, pricing, rate design, load research, forecasting, and cost-of-service studies.

Dan Kasbohm is a rates manager for Utility Financial Solutions and has completed over 40 financial modeling and electric cost of service studies. Dan has over 10 years of experience in developing time of use rates, advanced electric rate design models, analyzing load research data, developing line extension policies, and power cost adjustments.

Pricing

	Before or on August 30	After August 30
Individual Course Members	$1,195	$1,295
*COS/Rates Bundle (save $300!)** Members	$2,285	$2,585

See registration tab for more details and information on group discounts.

*Nonmember pricing is double the member rate.

**The COS/Rates Bundle includes registration fees for all 3 classes in the track: Basic Cost of Service, Strategic Rate Design, and Cost of Service Workshop.

Questions?

Registration: [email protected]

Program/Content: [email protected]

Hotel: [email protected]

Billing: [email protected]

Registration

Register Now!

Registration Assistance: Review these FAQs or contact [email protected]

	Registration received on/before August 30		Registration received after August 30
	Members	Others	Members	Others
Accounting
Accounting Bundle: 3 courses (save $300)	$2,785	$5,870	$3,085	$6,170
Public Utility Accounting, September 30-October 1	$1,195	$2,390	$1,295	$2,490
Electric Work Order & Fixed Asset Accounting, October 2	$695	$1,390	$795	$1,490
Advanced Public Utility Accounting, October 3-4	$1,195	$2,390	$1,295	$2,490

Cost of Service & Rate Design
COS/Rates Bundle: 3 courses (save $300)	$2,285	$4,870	$2,585	$5,170
Basic Cost of Service & Key Financial Concepts, September 30	$695	$1,390	$795	$1,490
Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts, October 1	$695	$1,390	$795	$1,490
Cost of Service Workshop: Implementation and Applications, October 2-3	$1,195	$2,390	$1,295	$2,490

Overhead Distribution Save $300 when you register for both classes!
Overhead Distribution Systems Principles & Applications (virtual), September 4, 5, 10, 11, 12	$1,495	$2,990
Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design, September 30 - October 3	$1,795	$3,590	$1,895	$3,690

Leadership Training/Certificate Program
Leadership Essentials Certificate Program, September 30 – October 3	$2,900	$5,800	$3,000	$5,900

*The enrollment fee includes everything you need to participate in and receive your certificate: registration for the in-person courses, program enrollment fee, materials, post-course project review, and graduation plaque.

Group Registration Discounts

Save money on each registration when your organization registers five or more people for the same class. 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 [email protected].

Number of registrants	Class discount (per person)
1-4	n/a
5-9	$50
10-14	$100
15-24	$150
25+	$200

Cancellations/No-Show/Refunds/Substitutions

Registrants who cancel in writing on or before September 23, 2024, are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after Sept. 23 will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel by Sept. 23 are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund. Cancellations must be made in writing and emailed to [email protected]. If APPA cancels a course, you will receive a full refund.

Travel Arrangements/Hotel Parking

Travel arrangements and costs associated with hotel parking are the responsibility of the participants. APPA will not reimburse for changes in travel expenditures regardless of the cause.

Internet Access

WiFi may only be available in hotel common areas (sleeping rooms and hotel lobby) and will not be available in APPA meeting rooms. Please make arrangements to use cellular data on your device or bring a MiFi or Internet hotspot for personal use. APPA will not provide a password for WiFi.

Code of Conduct

Participants agree to abide by the APPA Code of Conduct. If participants engage in unacceptable behavior as outlined in the code, APPA may take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to, expulsion from the current and future meetings, with no warning or refund.

Contact Us

Registration: [email protected]
Hotel: [email protected]
Program/Content: [email protected]
Billing: [email protected]

Hotel

Hotel Information

The 2024 Fall Education Institute will take place at:

Renaissance Seattle Hotel
515 Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98104

Reservations

Phone: (206) 583-0300
Group Rate: $269 (Single/Double) per night (plus State and Local Taxes)
Room Rate Cut-off Date: September 9
Online Reservation Link
Group Code: APPA Fall Institute

Logistics

Check-in: 3 pm; Check-out: 12 pm
Valet Parking: Valet Parking $63/overnight; Self-Parking $50/overnight

Please note: It is possible that the block of rooms could sell out prior to September 9, so make your hotel reservations early.

Reservations & Cancellations

Please contact the hotel directly to reserve and manage your reservation. If you need assistance making reservations, contact [email protected].

Internet Access

WiFi may only be available in hotel common areas (sleeping rooms and hotel lobby) and will not be available in meeting rooms. Please make arrangements to use cellular data on your device or bring a MiFi or Internet hotspot for personal use. APPA will not provide a password for WiFi.

Location

All courses will be held in the Renaissance Seattle Hotel. The hotel is about 14 miles from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Please contact the hotel for transportation options.

Travel Arrangements/Hotel Parking

Travel arrangements and costs associated with hotel parking are the responsibility of the participants. APPA will not reimburse for changes in travel expenditures regardless of the cause.

Accreditation

Earn While You Learn!

Participate in APPA 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 virtual and in-person sessions—provided the following requirements are met:

Requirements for Successful Completion: In-Person

Attendees must sign in each day, attend (and participate) in the entire course and complete an evaluation form at the end of class
Partial credit cannot be given for partial attendance
Attendance is monitored by an APPA staff member and the instructor
Completion certificates will be added within 4 weeks to member profiles on the APPA website (for those who meet the requirements)

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 [email protected] or 202-467-2965. Verify our IACET Accreditation.

CPE logo Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits: The American Public Power Association 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 final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org. Unless noted, there are no prerequisites for the courses offered and no advance preparation is required. Courses are group-internet or group-live based offerings at the basic program level (unless otherwise noted). Credit hours and areas of study for the courses are listed on the individual course pages. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as clarification of requirements, complaints, and refunds, please contact [email protected].

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?

Schedule/Content/Accreditation: [email protected]

Additional Information

What to Bring

If you are enrolled in one of the following courses, please note the items to bring with you. If your course is not listed, you do not have to bring anything.

Advanced Public Utility Accounting: Bring a copy of your annual financial statement. Instructors will answer your questions on presentation and application of accounting policies and practices.
Cost of Service Workshop: Implementation and Applications: Participants are required to bring a laptop with Excel and PowerPoint, to work through in-class exercises.
Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design:
- Participants are required to bring a laptop to work through in-class, line design application exercises and a basic engineering calculator or app.
- NESC: Participants are requested to have a copy of the 2023 National Electric Safety Code® on hand to review during the course. Copies can be purchased from IEEE (www.ieee.org) and a copy can be shared among attendees who may be participating together in the same location

Class Start/End Times

	Monday Sept. 30	Tuesday Oct. 1	Wednesday Oct. 2	Thursday Oct. 3	Friday Oct. 4
Accounting
Public Utility Accounting	8:30 am – 4:30 pm	8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Electric Work Order & Fixed Asset Accounting			8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Advanced Public Utility Accounting				8:30 am – 4 pm	8 am – 3:30 pm
Cost of Service & Rate Design
Basic Cost of Service & Key Financial Concepts	8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts		8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Cost of Service Workshop: Implementation and Applications			8:30 am – 5 pm each day
Technical Training
Overhead Distribution Systems Principles & Applications (virtual)	September 4, 5, 10, 11, 12; Noon – 4 pm
Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design	8:30 am – 4:30 pm each day (Mon. - Thurs)
Leadership Training / Certificate Program
Leadership Essentials Certificate Program	8:30 am – 4:30 pm each day (Mon. Thurs.)

Registration/Name Badges

Name badges can be picked up at the APPA registration desk at the hotel starting at 7:30 am.

Meals

A light breakfast, beverage breaks, and an afternoon snack are included in the registration fee. All other meals are on your own.

Dress code

The attire for the Institute ranges from business casual to casual—whatever you're comfortable in. Meeting room temperatures vary, so prepare to dress for cool conditions.