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One-time enrollment · 12-month access
Enroll NowGroup pricing available →A practical introduction to the electric ratemaking process — how revenue requirements are built, how costs are allocated across customer classes, how rates are designed, and what questions boards and management should ask when reviewing or approving a rate study.
CPE Hours
Electric rates don't appear out of thin air. They're the end result of a carefully structured process that starts with a revenue requirement, flows through a cost-of-service study, and ends with a rate design that allocates costs fairly across customer classes. This course walks you through that entire process in plain language.
You'll learn how financial and operational inputs drive rate adjustments, how the rate of return on infrastructure investments is determined, and how rate design choices affect customer behavior, revenue stability, and fairness. The course also addresses what board members and management should be asking when reviewing or approving a rate study — a practical perspective that helps govern the process, not just observe it.
Examples from public power, cooperatives, and municipal utilities are included throughout to ground the concepts in real utility practice.
Identify the components of the revenue requirement and explain how they drive the need for rate adjustments
Course materials are provided for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute legal, accounting, or professional advice. Users should consult their own qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors regarding their specific circumstances.
Course orientation, learning objectives, and downloadable course materials. | 1. Welcome to Rate Study Fundamentals- Lesson Menu / Index | 2. Course Overview | 3. Learning Objectives | 4. Course Materials Download | 5. Course Goals
Walk through the complete electric ratemaking process — from revenue requirements and cost-of-service analysis to rate design and customer billing. | 1. Introduction to Electric Ratemaking | 2. Review Questions — Part 1
Identify the key questions boards and management should ask when evaluating a rate study — and understand the answers that drive sound decisions. | 1. Questions and Key Information for Sound Rate Study Decisions | 2. Review Questions — Part 2
Review key takeaways and pass the final exam to earn your 2.00 CPE certificate.- | 1. Course Summary & Key Takeaways | 2. Course Evaluation | 3. Final Exam
