Bridging the divide between utilities and regulators.

Utilities face multiple challenges in a highly regulated industry. For the pure monopoly enterprises, everything from the rates they charge to their capital investment decisions, are submitted to state regulators for ultimate approval. The emergence of smart grid platform investments presents new and significant layers of complexity for utilities and their regulators. While regulators possess the final decision regarding cost recovery, the burden of demonstrating value for consumers and society rests with the utility.

At Bridge we recognize that the regulatory process is of equal importance and is essentially interdependent with IT integration oriented solutions. Skepticism on the part of regulators can have real financial consequences for Smart Grid proposals and projects. Alternatively if the components of a Smart Grid deployment does not perform as expected or proves to be inferior to other choices - rate recovery may be negatively affected. There is also the potential issue of consumers reacting negatively to smart meters, as witnessed in various pilots over the last year.

 BRIDGE has the trusted expertise to help with a “regulatory review” of Smart Grid projects, prior to submission to utility commissions. This would include a scan of the general environment at the regulatory commission and an assessment of any likely weak points or points of contention. We can bring to bear our deep domain expertise as facilitators of smart grid road maps to help you articulate how your smart grid investment plans fit into a larger strategic vision that brings long term value to consumers and shareholders alike.

BRIDGE Regulatory & Compliance Services Include:

• Create a technical assessment of the project components to assure regulators that the new platform will perform its expected tasks and that it is a “prudent” investment.

• Develop an alternative regulation plan blueprint that will be the vehicle to clarify risks, rewards and cost recovery.

• Perform a rigorous cost/benefit study

• Develop a set of new variable pricing to stimulate price responsive demand to maximize the value of the AMI investment.

BRIDGE brings extensive IT Integration and business process knowledge to bear on the regulatory due diligence process. Our regulatory practice is led by a former state commissioner who has extensive experience in this area. We recognize SG is an emerging area of investment and effectively conveying ratepayer benefit is critical to success with skeptical regulators. We can take you from pre-petition planning to final decision with an emphasis on proactive problem solving to yield pre-packaged settlement as opposed to lengthy and expensive litigation.