CESAC Utility Regulatory Training (Rate School)

CESAC Utility Regulatory Training (Rate School) Fall 2026 in partnership with the New Jersey Utility Association

An intensive professional development program equipping utility practitioners, regulators, and public sector professionals with the analytical skills to navigate utility regulation and ratemaking. Over five structured days, participants master core topics, including rate design, cost of service analysis, and revenue requirements, through expert-led lectures, real-world case studies, and mock rate case exercises led by industry experts, regulators, and academic professionals. Graduates leave equipped to confidently engage in utility rate proceedings and policy development.

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New Jersey State Recognition

Governor Mikie Sherrill welcomes the inaugural class of CESAC Rate School — April 27, 2026

Governor Mikie Sherrill’s letter underscores CESAC Rate School’s role in strengthening state's regulatory and utility-sector workforce.

Governor Mikie Sherrill's welcome letter

Registration Information and Policies

Learning Outcomes

Participants, with the training, will be able to:

Explain the regulatory principles that guide utility ratemaking and rate setting.
Interpret financial statements of regulated utilities and assess their regulatory implications.
Apply analytical tools used in ratemaking, including how test year selection and revenue requirement determination.
Examine the principles and processes used to develop the utility’s rate base.
Develop a mock rate case using sample adjustments in the ratemaking process.
Calculate the rate base, revenue requirement, and learn rate design for a regulated utility.
Demonstrate knowledge of operating expenses, trackers, depreciation, and taxes in regulated utility ratemaking.
Review and adjust utility income statements for regulatory purposes.
Assess utility capital structure, including weighted average cost of capital, rate of return, and return on equity.
Explain the impacts of cost of capital and return metrics on revenue requirements and investor perspective.
Understand consumer perspectives and policy considerations in utility rate decisions.
Apply cost allocation methodologies and compare alternative rate designs.
Gain exposure to emerging approaches, including performance-based ratemaking.

Who Should Attend

CESAC Rate School is designed for professionals involved in, or impacted by, utility ratemaking and regulation:

State and municipal utility commissioners and policymakers
Public utility commission and regulatory agency staff
Municipal utility officials
Administrative law judges and legal professionals
Accountants, auditors, and financial analysts
Consumer advocates and policy advisors
Engineers and economists working in regulated utility environments
Journalists and analysts covering utility finance and regulation.