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Law & Lawyers

Don't Cry for Utility Shareholders, America

Maybe Steve Huntoon Was Right

We decided to check out the numbers. Utilities earned more than the cost of capital in most years. Utility investors earned an average market return, while taking a lower than average risk.
Byline: 

Leonard Hyman and William Tilles

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Modernizing PURPA

Should FERC rewrite rules or let states make reforms?

Idaho has a problem with PURPA. So does North Carolina, and other states in between. Utilities have complaints too. Consider industry groups like EEI, representing investor-owned companies, NRECA, representing co-ops, and even NARUC, representing state utility regulators. Each has proposed new rules to fix PURPA, a longtime favorite of enviros. And don’t forget Berkshire Hathaway.
Byline: 

Bruce Radford

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PUF Top 20 Financial Performers

PSEG, NextEra, Wisconsin Energy, OGE Energy, Pinnacle West, IDACORP, etc.

The PUF Top 20 Financial Performers were selected through a four-year average ranking of profit margin, dividend yield, free cash flow, return on equity, return on assets, and sustainable growth.
Byline: 

Steve Mitnick

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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.
Byline: 

Steve Mitnick

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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.
Byline: 

Steve Mitnick

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Bob Flexon: Leadership Lyceum Podcast Summary

Five-Year Anniversary Conversation with Dynegy CEO Bob Flexon

Dynegy's CEO takes stock at his fifth anniversary with the company. Read excerpts of his interview here, then download the podcast for the entire conversation with Tom Linquist, the widely-recognized expert in executive assessment and leadership development.
Byline: 

Bob Flexon, with Tom Linquist

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Energy People: D.C. PSC Staff

We talked with seven staff members of the District of Columbia Public Service Commission

Commission staffs work behind the scenes, without much recognition, to make utility regulation effective. To hear some of their stories, we talked with seven staff members of the D.C. PSC.
Byline: 

D.C. PSC Staff, with Steve Mitnick

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Rethinking Rate Design

Berkeley Lab’s Discussion with Five Experts

Five of our industry's top thought leaders weigh in on the white-hot controversy of rate design as utilities and regulators plot a course for electricity's future.
Byline: 

Lisa Wood, Ross Hemphill, John Howat, Ralph Cavanagh and Severin Borenstein

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