Revenue Decoupling Mechanisms and Trends
This course is part of the ratemaking track and is intended for anyone needing or wanting a more thorough understanding of the ratemaking process natural gas companies follow to set rates charged to customers. Topics covered include the case for decoupling, early decoupling initiatives, evolution of decoupling mechanisms, balancing accounts: regulatory assets and liabilities, alternatives to decoupling mechanisms: rate stabilization plans and straight fixed variable rate design as well as decoupling observations: state of the states, implementation complexities and underlying rate design issues. As a result of taking this course, the student should learn the following.
- Why volumetric rates do and don't make sense
- Recent trends that reveal problems with traditional rate design methods
- Evolution of methods to decouple revenue from throughput
- The basis and validity of the arguments for and against decoupling
- Alternatives to decoupling
- The purpose and application of regulatory Balancing Accounts
Strategic Ratemaking
This course is part of the ratemaking track and is intended for anyone needing or wanting a more thorough understanding of the ratemaking process natural gas companies follow to set rates charged to customers. Topics covered include rates 101 and using the Rate Making Process to: achieve stakeholder objectives, establish goals and ensure corporate alignment, communicate Key messages, influence customer and competitor behavior, implement risk management and profit strategies, reward and penalize performance and change rates and revenues. As a result of taking this course, the student should learn the following.
- Fundamental assumptions that support ratemaking techniques
- The basic ratemaking formula
- The importance of sound expense and usage forecasting
- The various stakeholders in the ratemaking process
- The strategic potential of the ratemaking process beyond just determining revised rates
Introduction to Natural Gas Ratemaking
This course is part of the ratemaking track and is intended for anyone needing or wanting a more thorough understanding of the ratemaking process natural gas companies follow to set rates charged to customers. Topics covered include fundamentals of economic regulation, regulatory overview, who regulates what: state and federal regulators and regulatory restructuring. As a result of taking this course, the student should learn the following.
- The reasons for regulated rates
- Economic impacts when regulated rates are more or less than a fair market value
- Industry segments that are and are not under price regulation
- Regulatory bodies that have jurisdiction over industry segments
- Evolution of regulation and impacts on industry activity
- Current market and regulatory framework
Inspecting the Installation of Pipelines
8/24/2020
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM Central Time
The tasks that are associated with being a Pipeline Inspector are vast and crucial. Learn proper installation procedures, best practices for safety and material handling as well as environmental concerns, documentation, and priority management skills.
Fundamentals of Rotary Meters
8/24/2020
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Central Time
The Fundamentals of Rotary Meters session will cover the basic operation and functionality of positive displacement Rotary meters. We will also discuss the application, installation, and maintenance of rotary meters. As time allows, a virtual hands-on teardown/rebuild of a rotary meter will be provided. Attendees will understand the fundamentals of rotary meter measurement, review rotary meter designs, discuss factors that affect measurement/accuracy, review station design considerations and better understand ANSI B109.3 Standards.
DOT 192 Compliance Workshop for Natural Gas Pipeline Operators
When people hear the word "regulations" they grow concerned about weaving through the maze of Federal Register documents to find what they are looking for. In addition, there is the challenge of reading and really understanding what the regulations say and more importantly what they mean. That is no different than understanding and applying what is commonly referred to in the industry as the "DOT Regulations". More specifically, those in our industry must understand 49 CFR Part 190, 191 & 192. Just looking through the table of contents can be daunting for a newcomer to the industry or those who are transitioning into positions within their organization that require them to understand the regulations. This workshop provides attendees an opportunity to learn from subject matter experts in the industry with the instructors, but also allows them the opportunity to network with one another and develop connections to reach out to upon your return to your office. This workshop will address the upcoming Mega Rule Changes including discussions of the new requirements, and a review of situations when the new requirements would be triggered. In addition, what is TVC (Traceable Verifiable and Complete) and the newest technologies available to meet requirements. |
Instructor Information:
John S. Zurcher, Principal, P-PIC John has spent 30 years in the gas pipeline industry, actively involved in pipeline safety. He served as vice president of the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, Pipeline Group, consulting to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators, trade associations and research organizations, Previously, he worked for Columbia Gas Transmission Company as manager of field services, responsible for company compliance with federal regulations, management of capital budget programs, and development of the corporation's risk management program. At Tenneco Energy, he was director of pipeline services, where he oversaw corrosion control, geographic information system development, applied systems, and pipeline rehabilitation, integrity, and safety projects. With PanEnergy Corporation, Coastal Corporation, and Colorado Interstate Gas Company, his duties included design and operations, codes and standards, corrosion control, telecommunications, geographic information systems, and facility design and construction.John is presently a member of NACE\ and ASME and serves on the B31.8 Section Committee. John has been chair of the INGAA Pipeline Safety Committee and the GRI System Integrity and System Operations Committee. He was a member of the DOT Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, the DOT Risk Management Quality Action Team and their Mapping Quality Action Team. He has testified on behalf of the industry before the U. S. Congress on several occasions on matters relating to pipeline safety. John is presently a member of NACE and ASME and serves on the B31.8 Section Committee. John has been chair of the INGAA Pipeline Safety Committee and the GRI System Integrity and System Operations Committee. He was a member of the DOT Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, the DOT Risk Management Quality Action Team and their Mapping Quality Action Team. He has testified on behalf of the industry before the U. S. Congress on several occasions on matters relating to pipeline safety. John is presently a member of NACE and ASME and serves on the B31.8 Section Committee. John has been chair of the INGAA Pipeline Safety Committee and the GRI System Integrity and System Operations Committee. He was a member of the DOT Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, the DOT Risk Management Quality Action Team and their Mapping Quality Action Team. He has testified on behalf of the industry before the U. S. Congress on several occasions on matters relating to pipeline safety. |
Managing During Economic Downturns (Web Conference)
Managing the company’s workforce and talent during economic downturn will be critical to a company’s survival and vitality. With scarce resources and an existing aging workforce that is not physically and mentally engaged (employees not retiring but are aging out), what creative strategies and tactics must be developed and nurtured to ensure that there is knowledge transfer.
Presenters: Thoren, Jeff; Starbuck-Stamp, Sally
Managing and Motivating The New Generation
Good talent is hard to find. And even harder to keep. With company loyalty increasingly considered a comedic punch line rather than a standard employee trait, knowing how to identify, attract, manage, and retain the very best talent may seem impossible. Generational DNA plays a huge role in the changing workforce dynamic. Understanding it unlocks the secret to selecting the right candidates, managing, motivating, and encouraging employee loyalty – all essential to business survival.
Presenter: Marston, Cam
New Federal Universal Waste Aerosol Rule and Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule Update
The EPA has published the Rule classifying aerosols as universal waste. This rule provides the definition of aerosol cans, identifies management requirements, and the option of puncturing and draining. The Rule was effective at the Federal level on February 7, 2020, and authorized states with approved RCRA programs can adopt this less stringent regulation. Several states already have aerosols in their universal waste regulations, and state differences will be discussed. Since the Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule (HWGIR) became effective May 30, 2017, states have been adopting the rule, but full nationwide adoption is incomplete. The status of state adoption, as well as highlights from some of the states, will be reviewed.
Meter to Cash Crisis Management & Impact
A panel style conversation on managing the life cycle of going to remote work options and planning for the re-entry into the office during the COVID19 pandemic. Focusing on identified gaps, lessons learned and success stories along the journey.
The Ins & Outs of Modern Training Content Design
Training needs for our industry are shifting—a portion of the workforce has retired out, and the new workforce has different needs and expectations for training. Some companies have access to trained Instructional Designers, some don't. This session will cover some of the best practices in instructional design and how organizations can provide the best training content to their organizations.
Mobile Wallet Options
This session will share the journey and strategy for seeking alternatives to traditional paperless offerings in the utility industry. Participants will learn about multiple paperless options utilized at Southern Company Gas and the latest innovative solution implemented leveraging inherent mobile applications on Apple and Android mobile devices. Speakers will also share the results of the new techonolgy in the organization and next steps to optimize customer engagement.
Meter Station Control Philosophy
In this session, you will hear from industry professionals on the topic of meter station control philosophy. Attendees will be able to participate in live Q&A during this engaging and enlightening 75-minute webinar, brought to you by SGA’s Gas Measurement Committee. Beyond professional development, this session offers an opportunity to stay at the forefront of the natural gas industry. Please join us as we explore Meter Station Control Philosophy!
Measuring Renewable Natural Gas
Methane vapors are up to 25 times more potent at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. The federal government in an effort to reduce climate altering emissions is now requesting that landfills and other methane producing entities find a use for their methane. This has led to the developing field of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). RNG provides unique challenges in measurement mostly due to the quality of the gas produced. Join this roundtable discussion concerning strategies and challenges of measuring RNG.
Material Verification and Traceable, Verifiable, Complete (TVC) Records
Part 192.607 of the Mega Rule requires operators to ensure adequate traceable, verifiable, and complete material records or implement a Material Verification Program. Within an operator's Material Verification Program, specific pipeline attributes must be confirmed: diameter, wall thickness, seam type and grade. Operators will be required to develop procedures and perform destructive (laboratory) or non-destructive testing to capture material property information. During this session, you will get an overview of the requirements of this new regulation and hear about options from industry professionals of methods to determine pipeline material properties. Essential considerations for statistical analysis of in-ditch testing to verify grade and to estimate the number of digs required will also be discussed. This session will also offer an opportunity for a Q&A with fellow Operators and industry professionals to gain insight into their approaches to implementing and maintaining a Material Verification Program.
Marketing in the Digital Age
There are various ways to use Geo Fencing to target a specific audience. Converting to online messaging can be intimidating but the return of data can help focus your advertising efforts. The advantage of Online vs Print Advertising - Using Geo Fencing provides the ability to target Affected Public Messaging and can also provide data analysis that print ads lack.
You Are Not Alone: Utilizing External Data Scientists
Managing Up: Stop Work Authority
Companies agree that employees should speak up when they observe something that is unsafe. Empowering employees to speak up when they observe something unsafe, regardless of who is performing the unsafe act, is an essential component of a healthy safety culture. What happens when an employee observes an unsafe act by a supervisor? Don't let the barriers or hierarchy interfere with your values. Connect inclusion and safety cultures together by creating a "speak up" culture where employees feel comfortable speaking up and stopping work, especially when managing up. The Safety and Health, Inclusion and Diversity, and Regional Directors and Managers Committee partner together to bring you this important discussion about how speak up culture around safety can impact people different depending on other elements of difference (e.g. tenure, gender, generational differences). Panelists will share examples of situations when things went well and other times when it could have gone better.
Keep Me Informed
Isn't it wonderful to receive a text confirming a service appointment for your home and then additional texts to let you know the status of this appointment until it’s completed? This session delves into the project of Keep Me Informed and how our company is making prioritized investments to become more customer-centric in how we do business. Through agility, we’re combining technology, personalized care solutions and our people to deliver an exceptional experience that our customers deserve.