Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts

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Timing

Tuesday, October 1
8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Course Overview

The electric industry is changing, and policies related to customer rate structures are no longer consistent with how a utility’s costs are incurred. Learn how to send proper price signals and how social and environmental objectives may factor into rate designs. Review rate trends and strategies from utilities across the nation and hear how others are integrating distributed energy resources and restructuring rates for electric vehicles, solar valuation and fixed and variable cost recovery. Gain hands-on experience by designing rates for a sample utility.

Course Topics

Considerations when developing a long-term rate strategy
Rate options for utilities both with and without AMI
Developing a strategic rate plan to meet long-term utility goals and properly recover costs l Valuation and billing methodologies for rooftop solar customers and battery storage
Valuation and billing methodologies for rooftop solar customers and battery storage
Rate structures and strategies for electric vehicle charging stations
Evaluating customer and demand charges, time of use rates, real-time pricing, coincident peak demand rates, identifying marginal costs, and setting a proper price signal
Special rates: economic development, rates for large customers, standby rates, rate structures to promote electric vehicles, etc.
Understanding power cost adjustment mechanisms
Developing standby rates for customers installing combined heat and power generators
Educating staff, management, governing bodies, and customers about long-term rate strategies
Utility rate trends and case studies

Course Level

Intermediate: No prerequisites; no advance preparation. Often taken in conjunction with APPA’s Basic Cost of Service & Key Financial Concepts, and Cost of Service Workshop: Implementation and Applications 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 .7/PDHs 6.5/CPEs 7.8
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

Recommended for

Utility staff and policymakers looking for advanced knowledge of cost of service and rate-making processes.

Instructor

Mark Beauchamp, CPA, CMA, MBA, is president of Utility Financial Solutions. He has more than 33 years of experience in electric utility consulting and management. In his previous positions, Beauchamp has assisted with improvements to accounting and operation practices, risk assessments, cost of service, and competitive rate designs. He is a frequent speaker at national and regional conferences and has taught a variety of courses for the Association. He holds degrees in water purification technology and accounting, as well as a master’s degree in business.

Pricing

	Before or on August 30	After August 30
Individual Course Members	$695	$795
*COS/Rates Bundle (save $300!)** Members	$2,285	$2,585

See "Registration" tab below 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.