Background
Mr. James Sharpe, an Associate of Utility and Economic Consulting, Inc., has worked on numerous consulting assignments for electric, gas, water, and telephone utilities. The primary focus of many of these assignments has been regulatory matters, however, he has consulted on other matters including incentive regulation, least-cost planning, cost-of-service studies, rate-of-return, and competitive bidding. His areas of specialization include rates, regulatory relations, financial and resource planning, corporate and strategic planning, and regulatory economics.
Prior to consulting, Mr. Sharpe held various positions for over 10 years on the Staff of the Kentucky Public Service Commission. During his tenure at the Commission, he was Public Utility Economist and Director of the Research Division. His assignments at the Commission included: assisting Commission with implementation of PURPA rate standards; preparation of small power production and cogeneration regulation; cost of capital; directing staff in rate cases and special investigations; writing orders as directed by the Commission; managing a management audit program; and testifying in selected cases.
Education
B.S. in Economics, Murray State University, . 1970
M.S. in Economics, Murray State University, 1971
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Kentucky, 1976
Functional
Experience
Rate Case Preparation
Prepared rate case which included evaluation of rate design and assistance in the preparation of tariffs and rates for a number of utilities, including LG&E, AT&T, Delta Gas, and Cincinnati Bell.
Provided services with areas of responsibility including affiliated interests, rates, and regulatory relations to a large number of small telephone companies in the mid-west.
Participated as team leader and member in cases before the Kentucky PSC reviewing case filings by utilities, preparing data requests, preparing cross examination questions, utility negotiations, advising the Commissioners, and preparing Orders.
Directed staff and assisted in the determination of cost of capital as a part of numerous rate proceedings before the Kentucky PSC.
Participated as team member in a number of electric utility rate cases before the Kentucky PSC. Primary responsibilities were class cost of service studies, elasticity adjustments, and rate design.
Assisted in implementing procedures and policies to meet mandate of Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, including testimony on alternative rate design proposals.
Regulatory Affairs
Prepared a certificate of convenience and necessity for the installation of gas turbine generators and evaluation of DSM proposals for Kentucky Utilities.
Prepared utility for a comprehensive management audit to be performed by an outside consultant for current operations and assisted in reviewing proposals by potential consultants.
Prepared and provided testimony as witness in petition of economic arguments supporting reduced regulation for a large utility.
Managed and provided direction to the Kentucky PSC research staff regarding economic advice concerning regulatory issues arising in the electric, telephone, gas, and water industries. This included making case assignments, participating in rate cases as a team member, reviewing economists and management auditors work, preparing budgets, and other administrative duties.
Worked directly with staff to develop Kentucky PSC policy on economic development rates, establishing parameters under which the Commission would permit gas and electric utilities to offer economic development rates to potential industrial customers.
Industry Restructuring
Acted as an arbitrator for state regulatory agencies regarding negotiations between local exchange companies and inter-exchange carriers for local access in Nebraska and North Dakota..
Evaluated extended area service for a telecommunications utility.
Provided consultative services and assisted in the development of strategies for an administrative case dealing with intra-LATA competition.
Evaluated the first performance-based ratemaking mechanism for gas procurement and generation and dispatch in the US.
Participated as both team leader and member in the Commission's administrative cases dealing with competitive telephone policies.
Selected
Clients
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