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43 projects found for:
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Topic: Rate Cases
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Review of Formula Rate Filing
Client: New Jersey Division of the Ratepayer Advocate
For this project, Synapse is reviewing the PSEG formula rate filing to FERC. Project ongoing.
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Nuclear Power Plant Decoommissioning Costs
Client: The Utility Reform Network (TURN)
Synapse provided expert witness services concerning the triennial decommissioning cost dockets for SDG&E and SCE. Project ongoing.
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Atlantic Utility Base Rate Case Review
Client: New Jersey Division of the Ratepayer Advocate
Synapse is currently reviewing company filings to identify electric reliability and infrastructure related issues in the support of legal briefs to be filed as part the Company's base rate case. Project ongoing.
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Innovative Ratemaking Treatment for Distributed Generation
Client: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Synapse Energy Economics and the Regulatory Assistance Project, under a contract with the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), undertook to survey state policy on rates for partial requirements customers. We reviewed more than a dozen states, diverse both in their geography and in the structures of their electric industries. Through review of regulatory proceedings, tariffs, publications, and interviews, we identified a number of approaches to stand-by and associated rates that deserve policymakers' attention if they aim to promote the deployment of cost-effective distributed generation in their states. Project completed in December 2005. Download Report
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White Paper on Alternative Ratemaking Mechanisms Used by Investor Owned Electric Utilities
Client: Arkansas Public Service Commission Staff
For the Arkansas Publice Service Commission, Synapse prepared a whitepaper describing ratemaking mechanisms that U.S. electric utilities have implemented to align their financial incentives with the pursuit of energy efficiency. Project completed May 2010.
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Testimony on the Ratemaking Implications of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's Proposed Smart Grid Initiative
Client: Maryland Office of the People's Counsel
Synapse conducted an analysis of the projected costs and benefits of BGE's proposed Smart Grid Initiative as well as the proposed allocation of Initiative costs among rate classes and the design of the proposed Smart Grid Charge. Project completed April 2010. Download Testimony
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Testimony on the Ratemaking Implications of the Request by Potomac Electric Power Company and by Delmarva Power and Light Company to Deploy Advanced Meter Infrastructure
Client: Maryland Office of the People's Counsel
For the Maryland Office of People's Counsel, Synapse analyzed the projected costs and benefits of the AMI proposed by PEPCO MD and Delmarva MD respectively, as well as the rate and bill impacts of those proposals. Project completed April 2010. Download Direct Testimony
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Advanced Metering in Maryland
Client: Maryland Office of the People's Counsel
Synapse assisted the Maryland Office of People's Counsel by reviewing filings regarding Baltimore Gas & Electric's pilot AMI program, including the program design and choice, accelerated DSM implementation, technology options, cost-benefit analysis, cost recovery mechanisms and the level of sufficient recovery, and alternatives to the program. Synapse also conducted a similar review of filings by PEPCO and Delmarva to take actions similar to BGE. Project completed March 2010.
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Testimony Regarding A Conservation Enabling Rider Proposed by Centerpoint Energy Resource Corporation
Clients: Izaak Walton League, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
Synapse analyzed a pilot gas rate decoupling mechanism, a Conservation Enabling Rider, proposed by Centerpoint Energy. Project completed March 2010. Download Direct Testimony
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Testimony Regarding the Smart Meter Technology Plans Filed by Allegheny Power and the FirstEnergy Companies
Client: Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate
Synapse analyzed the policy and ratemaking implications of the Company filings, the level of projected benefits of the proposed Smart Meter Plans relative to their projected costs, the uncertainty associated with those benefits, and the allocation and rate design issues underlying the cost recovery proposals. Project completed March 2010. Download Direct Testimony
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PSEG Utility Base Rate Case Review
Client: New Jersey Division of the Ratepayer Advocate
For this project, Synapse reviewed company filings and identified electric reliability and infrastructure related issues in the support of legal briefs that were filed as part the Company's base rate case. Project completed August 2010
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Rockland Utility Base Rate Case Review
Client: New Jersey Division of the Ratepayer Advocate
Synapse reviewed company filings and identified electric reliability and infrastructure related issues in the support of legal briefs that were filed as part the Company's base rate case. Project completed August 2010.
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Customer Perspectives on Delivery of Energy Efficiency
Client: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
For this project, Synapse researched and analyzed concerns that consumer organizations have raised regarding energy efficiency programs in general and ratepayer funded efficiency programs in particular. Project completed in 2009.
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Analyses of Proposed Decoupling Pilot Projects
Client: Izaak Walton League
Synapse performed analyses of proposed decoupling polices and pilot programs. Project completed in March 2009.
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Electric Company Rate Case
Client: Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
Synapse assisted the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board with a variety of rate case issues including electric load forecasting, demand-side management, and power plant depreciation. Project completed in February 2009. Download Testimony
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Customer Perspectives on Delivery of Energy Efficiency
Client: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
For the U.S. EPA, Synapse researched and analyzed concerns that consumer organizations have raised regarding energy efficiency programs in general and ratepayer funded efficiency programs in particular. Project completed in 2009.
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Analysis of Duke Ohio Save A Watt Proposal
Client: Natural Resources Defense Council
Analysis of Duke Energy Ohio's proposed "Save-a-Watt" program, which would institutue financial incentives program for Demand-Side Management.
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The Electricity Industry at a Glance
Client: National Regulatory Research Institute
The National Regulatory Research Institute (NRRI) retained Synapse to prepare a primer on the U.S. electric industry for public utility commissioners and public utility commission staff. The primer provides basic information on the U.S. electric industry. It assumes only a basic understanding of the nature and purpose of utility regulation. While it addresses issues related to ratemaking, it is not an introduction to rate setting. Section I reviews the overall nature of the industry and of power production and use. Section II breaks down the industry into segments and discusses their recent and current status and organization. Section III (written by Scott Hempling of NRRI) covers regulatory jurisdiction, while Section IV identifies some of the critical issues facing the industry and its regulators. Project completed in November 2008. Download Report
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Mississippi Integrated Resource Plan Testimony
Client: Sierra Club
The Sierra Club retained Synapse to provide testimony on the proper goals, approach, and methods for IRP preparation by Mississippi's electric utilities. Synapse provided prefiled and oral testimony on IRP, supply planning, T&D issues, energy efficiency and load control, and related topics in the Mississippi Commission's generic proceeding on resource planning. Project completed in 2008. Download Steinhurst Testimony
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Avista Utilities Proposed Low-Income Programs
Client: Opportunity Council - The Energy Project
Project work included reviewing Avista Utilities proposals for funding of low income programs. Project completed in 2007.
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Entergy Arkansas Avoided Cost Computation Method
Client: Arkansas Public Service Commission Staff
For this project, Synapse reviewed Entergy's changes to its avoided cost methodology to see if they conform to Arkansas law. Project completed in 2007. Download Testimony
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Unbundling of Street Lighting Tariffs for Village of Woodstock
Client: Town of Woodstock, VT
Synapse advised the Village of Woodstock, Vermont, regarding Central Vermont Public Service's street lighting tariffs, unbundling of street lighting service, and improving efficiency and cost of street lighting service in rate design litigation before the Vermont Public Service Board. Project completed in September 2007.
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Employment Impacts of Proposed Rate Increase
Client: Illinois Citizens Utility Board
Synapse provided updated computations based on a previous study done for this client to reflect new values in a proposed rate increase. Project completed in August 2007.
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Demand Side Management and Advanced Metering in Pennsylvania
Client: Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate
Synapse represented the staff of the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate in the demand-side management (DSM) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) workgroup. We reviewed various aspects of DSM and AMI initiatives, prepared documents on good practices in these areas, recommended specific programs from other states, and participated in the workgroup. Project completed in June 2007.
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Review of Standard Offer Service Pricing
Client: Ohio Consumers' Counsel
Synapse analyzed the rate components of Duke Energy Ohio's standard offer service to determine whether they provide reasonably priced service in terms of accounting costs or market pricing principles. Taken together, we found the rates poorly defined and to not have a reasonable basis. Neil Talbot presented testimony in this case before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on March 9, 2007. Download Testimony
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Avista Utilities Rate Case
Client: Washington Office of the Attorney General
For this project, Synapse reviewed Avista Utilities proposals for funding of low income programs, a power cost only rate case (PCORC) mechanism, changes in its accounting treatment of DSM Program costs, recovery of fixed costs lost to DSM and investments in advanced meters. Project completed in 2007. Download Testimony
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Connecticut Natural Gas Rate Case
Client: Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel
Review gas supply strategy and proposed rate recovery of Connecticut Natural Gas. Download Testimony
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Analysis of KCPL Off-System Sales Rate Treatment
Client: Missouri Office of People's Counsel
Synapse evaluated the fairness of Kansas City Power and Light's proposed rate treatment of off-system sales. KCPL proposed an unorthodox accounting treatment allocating "margins" or profit with an "Unused Energy" allocator. Synapse provided support for expert testimony before the Missouri Public Service Commission. Project completed in November 2006.
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Analysis of Empire Electric Off-System Sales Rate Treatment
Client: Missouri Office of People's Counsel
Synapse evaluated the fairness of Empire Electric's proposed rate treatment of off-system sales and consideration of a fuel clause adjustment. Synapse critiqued Empire's modeling of fuel costs and projections of natural gas prices as part of a proceeding before the Missouri Public Service Commission and supported expert testimony before that commission. Project completed in November 2006.
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Green Mountain Power Rate Design and Efficiency
Client: Conservation Law Foundation
Synapse provided testimony on performance based ratemaking and other rate design issues, especially issues affecting incentives for customers to use electricity efficiently. Project completed in November 2006. Download Testimony
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Green Mountain Power Rate Design
Client: AARP
Synapse provided testimony on performance based ratemaking and on rate design issues affecting residential customers. Project completed in October 2006. Download Testimony
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Arizona Public Service Company Rate Case
Client: Residential Utility Consumer Office of Arizona
Synapse investigated a number of issues in a rate case: 1) whether Arizona Public Service's (APS) acquisition of the Sundance Generating Station was prudent; 2) whether the amounts that APS requested for Operating & Maintenance expenditures ("O&M") for the PWEC Units and the Sundance Plant were reasonable; and 3) the generation and associated costs included in APS' base rate application. Synapse found that APS' acquisition of the Sundance Plant was reasonable and prudent. However, we found that the Company's requested power plant O&M was unreasonably high and should be reduced for both plants. Project completed in February 2006. Download Hornby Surrebuttal
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Review of Duke-Cinergy Merger
Client: Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
On behalf of the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Synapse reviewed a number of aspects of the proposed Duke-Cinergy merger to gauge its impact on PSI's retail ratepayers. The analysis included a comparison of existing ratepayer protections in place since the 1994 merger that created Cinergy, a critique of the proposed merger savings allocation between ratepayers and shareholders, and recommendations for PSI to strengthen energy efficiency commitments and maintain customer service and reliability post-merger. Testimony was filed before the Indiana Utility and Regulatory Commission on November 8, 2005. Project completed in January 2006. Download Testimony
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Review of Standard Offer Procurement Rules and Portfolio Proposal
Client: Maine Office of the Public Advocate
Prior to the 2005 solicitation of supply bids to serve Maine standard offer customers, the Maine Office of Public Advocate requested that Synapse evaluate the 2004 standard offer procurement rules developed and implemented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission pursuant to ME PUC Docket No. 2004-147. Synapse filed comments in the proceeding that recommended the adoption of a portfolio management approach. Key elements included a multi-year procurement horizon and the specific acquisition of renewable resources as a hedge against fossil fuel price uncertainty. Project completed in September 2005. Download Report
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Salem Harbor Reliability and Environmental Compliance Assessment
Client: Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
Synapse assisted a coalition of intervening parties in a utility environmental compliance settlement involving a multi-unit coal and oil generation station in Salem, MA. Synapse provided an analysis of the impact of future transmission upgrades on the reliability need for coal and oil units that were out of compliance with Massachusetts environmental regulations for air emissions. The intervenors were considering possible settlement strategies to allow for the continued operation of the non-compliant units contingent on the addition of specific short-term remedial actions to reduce emissions. Project completed in September 2005.
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Electric Utility Rate Design
Client: AARP
Synapse analyzed proposed changes to Green Mountain Power's electric rate designs. William Steinhurst prepared testimony recommending the modification of tariffs for residential customers to improve fairness and encourage energy efficiency. Project completed in June 2005. Download Testimony
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Central Vermont Public Services Rate Case
Client: AARP
Synapse prepared testimony that addressed the proposed allowed return on equity (ROE) and rate of amortization for Central Vermont Public Service Corporation (CVPS). Synapse determined the appropriate ROE for CVPS by using the discounted cash flow (DCF) and CAPM models. The Company originally requested a 5.0 percent rate increase, although it later reduced its requested increase to 2.9 percent. In the end, the Board accepted Synapse's ROE recommendation in full. As a result Vermont customers' rates were reduced by approximately 1.88 percent commencing April 1, 2005. Project completed in April 2005. Download Testimony
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Electric Utility Rate Design
Client: Conservation Law Foundation
Synapse analyzed proposed changes to Green Mountain Power's electric rate designs. William Steinhurst prepared testimony recommending the modification of tariffs for commercial, industrial, and residential customers to encourage energy efficiency. Project completed in January 2005. Download Testimony
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Electric Utility Rate Case
Client: Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
Synapse analyzed Georgia Power Company's rate case filing and made recommendations for the Electric Transportation ("ET") Service rate tariff. The testimony of Bruce Biewald was filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission in Docket No. 18300-U. Project completed in November 2004.
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Electric Utility Rate Case
Client: Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
Synapse evaluated the rate filing of Public Service of Indiana. The results of this evaluation were presented in testimony before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Project completed in July 2004. Download Testimony
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Electric Utility Rate Cases
Client: AARP
Synapse analyzed settlement agreements in two Vermont rate cases and made recommendations for clarification and modification; specifically, the return on equity in one of the settlements was found to be too high. Neil Talbot prepared testimony that supported an alternative return. Project completed in December 2003. Download Testimony
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Analysis of Proposed Rate Increase
Client: Illinois Citizens Utility Board
Synapse conducted an analysis of electricity price trends in the ComEd service territory with and without a proposed merger and legislated rate increase. Synapse also applied the REMI model to estimate the employment and other economic impacts associated with the rate increase. Project completed in December 2003. Download Memo
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Oklahoma Rate Case
Client: Oklahoma Attorney General's Office
Synapse was retained to assist the Attorney General's Office in the Empire District Electric Company rate case. Synapse investigated a number of issues including excess capacity, the cost of new generation, transmission and distribution investments, the Company's weather normalization methodology, and the rate of return. Project completed in July 2003. Download Schlissel Testimony
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