Where is the electric utility industry heading? If you want to gain an understanding of the regulatory and competitive issues impacting the utility industry as it evolves through regulation, deregulation and re-regulation, this one-day course ties significant current events to the industry knowledge being taught. Terms and concepts are taught using a combination of lecture and large group discussions. Participants are encouraged to bring plenty of questions with them for the large group discussions.
You will learn about the four types of utilities and their unique characteristics, as well as the terms and concepts that are used in the utility industry, such as load factor, base load, intermediate load, peak load, natural monopoly, economies of scale, revenue requirement, rate base, merchant plant, stranded costs, transmission access, antitrust laws and affiliate transaction rules.
The course reviews the traditional rate making process and addresses industry issues associated with regulation as well as the strategies that utilities are implementing to maximize shareholder value.
Why was deregulation attempted? Who was pushing for it? What has happened in a sampling of the states that have tried deregulation? These are questions that this course will answer. In addition, an explanation of antitrust and affiliate transaction concerns is provided using current events to reinforce participant understanding of antitrust laws as they apply, or do not apply, to the utility industry.
How Wall Street evaluates and determines if a utility is a sound investment is also covered. The class closes with a high level summary of the economics of generating electricity from a variety of fuel sources.
