Regulators Release Benchmarking Study
TORONTO, April 15 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Members of Public Utility Tribunals (CAMPUT) today released a benchmarking study which examines some of the options available for using benchmarking as a regulatory tool in Canada.
A key object of CAMPUT is member education and while benchmarking has been used in a limited manner by some regulators it has not been employed in Canadian cross-jurisdictional comparisons. This report examines the opportunities and challenges of such an initiative.
CAMPUT retained two independent consulting companies which worked jointly on the study report - First Quartile Consulting, LLC, of El Segundo, California, and Elenchus Research Associates, Inc., of Toronto, Ontario. In completing the study, the researchers consulted extensively with electric utilities and energy regulators in Canada.
In the report, entitled "CAMPUT Benchmarking for Regulatory Purposes," the consultants examine potential uses of benchmarking for regulatory purposes in Canada, as well as issues and concerns around the use of benchmarking. The report includes a set of metrics which might be used by Canadian regulators to facilitate cross-jurisdictional comparisons among utilities.
CAMPUT is providing the study to its member boards and commissions for their consideration. Individual boards and commissions will determine the degree to which the recommendations are implemented within their jurisdictions.
The report will also be the subject of a technical session at the upcoming CAMPUT Conference to be held in Montreal, Quebec, May 2-5. The lead consultants on the project will participate in the session. The conference fosters dialogue on energy related matters and attracts more than 400 regulator and industry delegates. Copies of the report and the conference agenda are available on the CAMPUT website at www.camput.org
"The study is an excellent starting point for further discussion of the possible uses of benchmarking in Canadian utility regulation," says CAMPUT Chair Cynthia Chaplin, "and we see this as a furtherance of our responsibility to consider new methods of meeting regulatory objectives in a timely and cost efficient manner."
CAMPUT is Canada's national association of utility regulators. Members include federal, provincial, and territorial boards and commissions responsible for regulating the country's electric, water, natural gas, and pipeline utilities.
For further information: Paul Crawford, CAMPUT Communications, (416) 440-7607
Share this article