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Public Utility Rate Regulation

BWMQ advises clients regarding the complex arena of regulatory policies and procedures in the development of cost-based rates, market-based rates, tariff provisions, asset acquisitions, depreciation & negative salvage rates, terminal decommissioning rates, and tax allowances.

Cost-Based Rates

Brown Williams can assist in the development of fully allocated rate models which bring together the myriad of costs into a single interrelated cost and revenue study suitable for section 4 filings and section 5 responses. Some areas include:

  • Establishing Rate Base
  • Allocation and Rate Design
  • Setting Return on Equity
  • Calculating Cost of Debt
  • Estimating Terminal Decommissioning
  • Setting Depreciation Rates
  • Deriving Corporate Taxes
  • Functionalizing Costs



Market-Based Rates

To gain FERC approval to charge market-based rates, an applicant must file a detailed market power study demonstrating that it lacks market power and that its customers have sufficient alternatives or that it can mitigate its market power. BWMQ has been at the forefront of market-based rate design and participated in litigated FERC proceedings involving market-based rate applications for both pipelines and storage facilities. BWMQ can provide an initial market power study to help the client determine whether it is likely that market-based rates can be justified, and follow through with the documentation and persuasive reports to support its client’s needs.

  • Natural Gas Storage & Hub Services
  • Natural Gas Pipeline Transportation Services
  • Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Transportation Services
  • Oil Pipeline Transportation Services



Electric Transmission Rates

BWMQ assists clients working under RTO, ISO, or TRANSCO structures to craft tariff provisions, develop transmission pricing parameters, and power sales.

  • Congestion Management

  • Zonal/Grid Rates

  • Ancillary Services

  • Revenue Allocations

  • Grid Expansion Costs

  • Treatment of Pre-Exiting Agreements



Oil Pipeline Rates

BWMQ has wide experience in all facets of crude oil and refined product pipelines rate matters, including cost of service, rate design, federal and state taxes, and prudency issues.

  • Annual Indexing
  • Cost of Service
  • Oil Ratemaking Methodologies
  • Trans-Alaska Pipeline System
  • Trended Original Cost



Intrastate Filings

BWMQ supports intrastate entities seeking to provide interstate transportation and/or storage services using either state-approved rates or cost of service rates.

  • Hinsaw Pipeliens
  • Statement of Operating Conditions
  • Intrastate Applications