Off Peak: Past PUF Pieces
From PUF in early 1929
The Greensboro Gas Co. suspected a residence was consuming more gas than was recorded by meter. Piping was found hidden in the walls to bypass the meter.
Law & Lawyers
Texas Solar Two Step
Different Outcomes in State’s Two Distinct Markets
Texas highlights the importance of market structures and economics in the growth of solar deployment. Driven by customer interest and policy objectives, distributed and utility-scale solar has thrived in municipal and cooperative service territories. The same has not been true in the competitive wholesale market with retail choice.
Refocusing Rate Design Debates
Public Interest before Special Interest
We must get back to pricing fundamentals. The goals of performance and or incentive-based regulation apply to consumers and not just producers. Here are three questions that every rate design investigation should consider.
2016 Annual Rate Case Survey
It is often said that ratemaking is as much art as science.
It is the process of setting a return on equity that is fair to both shareholders and consumers that demonstrates the art and science practiced by regulators. One case reported here provides a good glimpse at the entire range of issues put before regulators: a decision by the Michigan Public Service Commission setting electric rates for Consumers Energy Company.
Energy Memories: Regulatory Economist Michael Crew
Memories by Faruqui and Littlechild
His books, articles, journals and conferences were familiar to many in utility regulation. The California PUC passed a resolution last year acknowledging his contributions to regulation.
Electric Utility History in History
George Bernard Shaw, President McKinley, Dr. Benjamin Spock, Al Capone
George Bernard Shaw got his start with Edison and Insull; President McKinley collapsed in his arms, later he founded EEI; Dr. Spock’s child care book, and Reddy Kilowatt; Scarface Al Capone thwarted by utilities’ Sam Insull
November Birthdays: Sam Insull
Insull literally created our system of regulated monopolies and cost-of-service regulation.
Off Peak: The Genie of the Gas Age
In 1931, Public Utilities Fortnightly commissioned one of the most popular poets of the 20th century to write a poem for PUF's readers.
Overcoming Fear of Fire
Lessons from the Neolithic Age
Some thrive. Others are lost to the ages. What makes the difference? Applied ingenuity.
The Way We Live, and Renewables
When and Where DG Penetration is Miniscule, What Then?
As fast-growing as it is, rooftop solar will remain a rarity among large proportions of the American public. Which presents a real problem to utilities and utility regulators. Perhaps this is why utility-scale has such appeal.