Center for Business and RegulationPhotos of UIS Students and Faculty

AGA Rates Conference

August 9-12, 2010
Gleacher Center , University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

The American Gas Association offers this four day program which offers intensive study of the natural gas industry and its regulation. Taught by recognized experts in the field, this program focuses on the details of ratemaking through intensive classroom work, study groups and lectures. This program is sponsored by the Center for Business and Regulation in the College of Business and Management at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The course will be held at the University of Chicago’s Gleacher Center.

This year the AGA rate school is going all electronic, so we are asking all participants to bring a laptop with them. We will hand out thumb drives with all class material to attendees upon arrival at the rate school

Program Information

Course of Study

Regulation

  • Regulation touches nearly every aspect of the natural gas industry. This course will consider the policy and practice of state and Federal regulation of the industry.

Finance and Accounting

  • Regulation depends critically on accounting and finance to determine reasonable profits and rates.

Economics

  • Economic theory provides the basic foundation for the ratemaking process.

Innovative Costing and Ratemaking

  • The natural gas distribution industry is facing a fundamental change in the consumption pattern of consumers. Revenue stability and proper pricing signals will be explored.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation

  • With the dramatic increase in natural gas prices in the past decade regulators, consumers, and utilities are exploring ways to promote efficient consumption choices. This section of the course will explore ways to efficiently promote conservations efforts.

Registration Fees

  • AGA Members, $1250
  • Non-AGA members, $1500
  • Register by mail or fax [PDF]
  • Register by mail or fax [Download and Print]
  • Deadlines: Payments by mail or fax must be received by July 27, 2010 5PM CDT. Online registration will close on July 30, 2010. Late registration is available online until August 9, 2010. Conference materials will be provided to late registrants as available.
  • Cancellation: Cancellations will be accepted until July 19, 2010 with full refund when requested in writing. After July 19, 2010 refunds are subject to a $100 processing fee. No cancellations may be made after August 9, 2010. Substitutes are allowed at any time by contacting CBR at cbr@uis.edu. If the program is not held for any reason, CBR's liability is limited to a refund of the program fee.

Registration fees include:

  • Tuition
  • Course Materials
  • Meals include daily continental breakfast and lunch
  • Monday welcome reception
  • Wednesday evening group dinner

Continuing Professional Education (CPE):

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits are available for attendance at this AGA event.  The seminar is designed for utility industry professionals. No advanced preparation is required nor are there any prerequisites.  In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, CPE credits are granted based on a 50-minute hour.  Based on the preliminary agenda, 30 hours of CPE credits will be available to participants attending the event.

The objectives of this program are to provide advanced knowledge and understanding of public utility regulation, ratemaking, and accounting.  Specific subjects covered include: federal and state regulation of natural gas utilities; utility finance and accounting practices; the legal framework within which the natural gas utilities operate; natural gas utility and natural gas pipeline rate design; cost of service issues; and risk and return on equity considerations.

CPE LogoThe American Gas Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417.  Web site: www.nasba.org.  NASBA SPONSOR NUMBER: 103032

Complaint Resolution Policy: All efforts will be made to handle any complaints by attendees expeditiously and to the satisfaction of the attendees. Complaints may be addressed to Joseph Martin, telephone (202) 824-7255, e-mail jmartin@aga.org

For more information contact Karl McDermott

Course Material

Accommodations

Attendees are responsible for their own accommodations and must make their own reservations. The Gleacher Center is located just off north Michigan Avenue with many brand name business hotels within close walking distance.   

Getting to the Gleacher Center

The University of Chicago’s Gleacher Center is located at 450 North City Front Plaza Drive just east of North Michigan Avenue on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. To find directions, information on parking, and mass transit visit the Gleacher Center web site

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