The map below displays the states where general rate cases are under consideration across the U.S. Scroll over an individual state to reveal which investor-owned utility (or utilities) are currently participating in a rate case in that state.
A rate case is a formal public process conducted by regulators to determine if a utility’s base rates are just and reasonable. During this process, regulators review and ultimately decide how much (if any) additional revenue a utility may raise through its rates, and how the utility’s existing rate structure and tariffs may be revised.
Through the rate-case process, dozens of U.S. utilities have proposed changes that would alter the economics of customer-sited distributed generation (DG), as well as energy efficiency and energy conservation. Such proposals include:
- Raising the monthly fixed charge for certain types of customers (often by more than 25 percent), while also reducing volumetric (i.e., per kilowatt-hour) charges
- Imposing a demand charge and/or other fees on DG customers, including PV customers
- Creating a separate customer class for DG customers
- Reducing the value of -- or eliminating -- net metering
Note: This map indicates rate cases initiated by investor-owned utilities since December 1, 2014 that remain active as of December 31, 2015
In recent years, investor-owned utilities have initiated around 50 to 60 rate cases annually. Some utilities have initiated rate cases in consecutive years in the same state, while others have gone three decades without filing a rate case. A typical rate case lasts between nine and 18 months.
FIGURE: Proposed Residential Fixed-Charge Increases Filed Since Dec. 1, 2014
Source: EQ Research
FIGURE: Proposed vs. Approved Residential Fixed-Charge Increases
Rate Cases Decided in 2015 (Cases Initiated Since Dec. 1, 2014)
Source: EQ Research
FIGURE: Proposed vs. Approved Residential Fixed-Charge Increases
Rate Cases Decided in 2015 (Cases Initiated Since Dec. 1, 2014)
Source: EQ Research
FIGURE: Existing vs. Proposed vs. Approved Residential Fixed-Charge Increases
Rate Cases Decided in 2015 (Cases Initiated Since Dec. 1, 2014)
Source: EQ Research
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In partnership with EQ Research, GTM Squared brings you a series of visualizations that map, graph and chart issues important to the clean energy industry across the U.S. These visualizations will be updated quarterly and serve as an up-to-date resource for Squared members.
