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# MCR

MCR Performance Solutions

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.mcr-group.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Solar and Storage: A Match Made in DERs Heaven](https://www.mcr-group.com/solar-and-storage-a-match-made-in-ders-heaven/) - Issue Tesla Motors, which shook up the electric vehicle sector when it launched the Tesla Roadster in 2008, recently unveiled its lithium ion battery (the “Tesla Powerwall”) for residential and utility-scale customer usage, with a particular emphasis on storing solar power. Tesla is now marketing its battery through SolarCity Corp., which designs, finances and installs
- [Making the Case for Microgrids](https://www.mcr-group.com/making-the-case-for-microgrids/) - Issue Believing it to be the first time that a microgrid has leveraged renewable energy to power an entire U.S. community, Sempra Energy utility, San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E) has reported that its microgrid kept Borrego Springs, Calif., an isolated desert community, fully energized during a planned grid maintenance event. SDG&E used NRG
- [Electric Vehicles: An Antidote to Utility Revenue Erosion?](https://www.mcr-group.com/electric-vehicles-an-antidote-to-utility-revenue-erosion/) - Issue Earlier this year in Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law that allows utilities in the state to rate-base investments in electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations and related infrastructure. The measure was proposed by Republican state Rep. Chad Magendanz, who said, "My vision is for utility customers to be able to simply
- [Why Decarbonization is A Smart Strategy (Regardless of What Happens with the Clean Power Plan)](https://www.mcr-group.com/why-decarbonization-is-a-smart-strategy/) - Issue [from Greentech Media] Bloomberg New Energy Finance recently released the 2015 edition of its Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. The report includes information on biomass, biogas, waste-to-energy, and a variety of other renewable energy technologies. The fourth annual Sustainable Energy in America Factbook highlights the record year for utility-scale and distributed solar, huge gains
- [Electric Vehicles Are Here. Is Your EV Strategy Ready?](https://www.mcr-group.com/electric-vehicles-are-here-is-your-ev-strategy-ready/) - There are nearly 500,000 plug-in electric vehicles (EV) on U.S. roads today. Almost every car manufacturer offers an electric vehicle with over 14 models to choose from and more on the way. The cost of EVs is declining, while the range on a full charge is rapidly increasing. Tesla and Chevy plan on introducing new

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.mcr-group.com/) - MCR is a management consulting firm focused exclusively on the utilities industry.
- [A Valuable Tool For Cost Recovery Opportunities Outside A Normal Rate Case](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/a-valuable-tool-for-cost-recovery-opportunities-outside-a-normal-rate-case/) - In Recent Years, a flurry of legislative activity has addressed utility securitization. While not a new concept, securitization has been a successful tool for utilities to improve cost recovery while saving customers money on their electric bills. Read the paper.
- [Advanced Life-Cycle Management Planning](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/advanced-life-cycle-management-planning-building-confidence-in-the-future/) - MCR's approach to advanced life-cycle management planning enables utilities to proactively manage aging assets, optimize spending, and reduce long-term operating costs. This is done by combining reliability analysis, risk-informed decision making, and long-range financial planning, yielding a lasting positive cultural and operational transformation supporting the achievement of long term business objectives. Download the Life Cycle
- [SECURITIZATION: A Valuable Tool for Cost Recovery Opportunities Outside a Normal Rate Case](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/securitization-a-valuable-tool-for-cost-recovery-opportunities-outside-a-normal-rate-case/) - In recent years, a flurry of legislative activity has addressed utility securitization. Seventeen states have passed legislation offering securitization options to their electric utilities in the last decade, and several other states have proposed similar legislation. Securitization, while not a new concept, has been a successful tool for utilities to improve cost recovery while saving
- [Managing Data Centers using Proactive Strategies](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/managing-data-centers-using-proactive-strategies/) - Utilities should proactively prepare for large-load and data center inquiries by establishing a clear framework for intake, evaluation, tariff design, and risk management so they can respond quickly to project-specific requests. Read the paper.
- [Fundamentals of Ratemaking Training](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/fundamentals-of-ratemaking-training/) - This dynamic course from MCR’s experts will prepare your team for success from those who are new to the ratemaking process to seasoned professionals needing a refresh. Read the brochure.
- [Nuclear Generation](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/) - MCR’s Nuclear Generation clients operate facilities in the US, Canada and Japan. Some operate in regulated markets and others in competitive markets but they each share a common goal: Reduce and control costs in order to compete with renewable energy and natural gas fired generation. Our clients come to us for one reason: we are
- [Planning a Coal Plant Decommissioning, Demolition, and Site Remediation](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/client-stories/planning-a-coal-plant-decommissioning-demolition-and-site-remediation/) - A large generation owner engaged MCR to develop a defensible financial forecast to retire a multi-unit coal-fired plant. MCR integrated unit retirement timing, an updated five-year O&M budget, new demolition estimates, and environmental remediation strategies into a financial plan to support decision making and ARO accounting. MCR’s work provided the client a clear road map
- [Updating a Unit of Property Catalog for a Large Utility](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/client-stories/updating-a-unit-of-property-catalog-for-a-large-utility/) - MCR partnered with a large utility to modernize its unit of property catalog amid complex accounting of aging asset replacements. MCR successfully reduced catalog complexity, improved capitalization flexibility, and identified an annual shift of about $40 million from O&M to capital spending. Read the case study
- [A Top 10 Integrated Utility Achieves Cost Reduction Through Risk-Informed Budgeting](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/client-stories/a-top-10-integrated-utility-achieves-cost-reduction-through-risk-informed-budgeting/) - A utility sought a sustainable methodology to provide visibility into cost drivers, incorporate risk valuation, maximize the value of each budget dollar, and help management ensure credible budget targets for the future. MCR’s extensive risk-informed budgeting experience helped the client identify $99 million in O&M savings opportunities and meet its cost targets. Read the case
- [A Large Integrated Utility Achieves Cost Reduction Through Risk-Informed Budgeting](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/client-stories/a-large-integrated-utility-achieves-cost-reduction-through-risk-informed-budgeting/) - A large integrated utility in the Southwest was challenged to limit electric rate increases to 2% per year and to further keep electric bills in the bottom 50% of all electric utilities in the state. With significant O&M cost reduction as the goal, the chief operating officer approached MCR for help. MCR identified a total
- [Mike Murphy, Vice President](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/mike-murphy-vice-president/) - Mike has over two decades of experience in the development and implementation of business management software, data warehousing and document management applications. As a Vice President at MCR, he designs, develops and deploys data warehouse and reporting solutions, using MCR technology and client-specified tools and technology. Mike has deep expertise in working with and implementing
- [What We Do](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/what-we-do/) - Risk-informed zero-base budgeting MCR reduces and controls O&M costs by working with budget owners to justify all budget expenditures from a baseline of zero. We categorize every budget line item by evaluating the risk incurred if not funded and then perform a risk evaluation of the complete budget. Our “challenge process” uses a peer review
- [Achieving Significant O&M Reduction with Risk-Informed Budgeting](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/insights/achieving-significant-om-reduction-with-risk-informed-budgeting/) - Utilities face cost pressure as demand grows and reliability expectations remain high, yet rate relief is increasingly challenged by political pressure and affordability concerns. The typical responses of across-the-board budget cuts, staff reductions, or deferred projects can deliver short-term relief but often misallocate resources. A more effective option is risk-informed budgeting (RIB), which systematically challenges
- [Updating a Unit of Property Catalog for a Large Utility](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/updating-a-unit-of-property-catalog-for-a-large-utility/) - A large southern utility faced complex accounting classification decisions for its aging generation and transmission assets, complicated by first-of-a-kind obsolescence projects. MCR streamlined the utility's unit of property catalog through a structured update process supported by industry benchmarking. These efforts yielded a 30% reduction in property units, alleviated decision-making contention, and shifted $40M in annual
- [Utility Cost Management](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/) - Utilities today face a pair of competing priorities: Capital investment is urgently needed to provide safe and reliable service and keep pace with significant demand growth, yet bill affordability concerns are driving blowback in the regulatory and political arenas. A similar conundrum half a century ago found many utilities facing serious financial distress. Challenges like
- [Are You Capitalizing All the Costs You Are Entitled to?](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/insights/utility-cost-management-a-strategic-approach-2/) - Reducing O&M costs is a high priority for utilities today, but some O&M spending is more appropriately capitalized. As a utility incorporates numerous interdependent pieces of equipment and components, it can become difficult to identify whether items constitute discrete units of property, major components, or something else. By updating its capitalization policies, a utility can
- [Process Improvement: Identifying the Most Elusive Sources of Cost](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/insights/process-improvement-identifying-the-most-elusive-sources-of-cost/) - MCR employs a proven strategy to identify and remedy inefficiencies in core business processes. Our comprehensive approach identifies the causes of process breakdowns and has been successfully implemented for numerous clients. MCR’s unique blend of industry guidance, employee feedback, and intuitive heatmaps produces targeted initiatives to enhance performance and reduce operating costs. Read the Paper
- [Utility Cost Management – A Strategic Approach](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/insights/utility-cost-management-a-strategic-approach/) - Utilities no longer enjoy the economic tailwinds defining the pre-pandemic decade. Competing pressures underscore the importance of strategically prioritizing and managing operating and capital costs across the utility enterprise. To help utilities achieve real and sustainable success, MCR aligns utility cost management to a “north star” of five strategic pillars. This strategy replaces one-off tactical
- [Tim Schlimpert, Vice President](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/tim-schlimpert-vice-president/) - Tim is a Vice President at MCR and leads the Utility Cost Management practice. He has more than 30 years of utility industry experience in power plant operations, maintenance, work control, business operations, process improvement, and technology solutions, and he has achieved significant performance improvements for his clients. Tim provides the often-elusive connection between corporate
- [Sam Brothwell, Vice President](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/sam-brothwell/) - Sam is Vice President of MCR’s Strategic and Financial Advisory practice. His background includes a decade in utility industry corporate planning and investor relations, 15 years on Wall Street as a senior equity and credit financial analyst, and nearly a decade as a utility and pipeline investor. His background includes electricity, natural gas, and renewable
- [Insights](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/insights/)
- [Client Stories](https://www.mcr-group.com/utility-cost-management/client-stories/)
- [Ed Schmidt, Director](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/ed-schmidt-director/) - Ed is a Director at MCR, uniquely positioned for this point in time in the utility business given his 30 years of experience in energy efficiency and resource planning, forecasting, rates and regulation in gas and electric utilities as well as brief tenures at an energy/environmental advocacy non-profit and as an indigent healthcare social services
- [Melanie Gillette, Director](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/melanie-gillette-director/) - Melanie is a Director in MCR’s Energy Products and Services Practice and has nearly 30 years of experience providing a variety of clients with strategies to address the challenges of integrating renewables into energy portfolios while considering the impacts on the grid. Her expertise includes policy advocacy at state energy and public utility commissions as
- [Jacob Hannan, Director](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/jacob-hannan-manager/) - Jacob is a Director at MCR and has 18 years of experience in energy efficiency, data analysis, and research. His expertise includes demand side management (policy, planning, and management) and data science (data processing, modeling, and visualization). He is an individual member of the Association of Energy Engineers and is a Certified Energy Manager. He
- [AI-Assisted Risk-Informed Budgeting for Nuclear Fleet Operations](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/ai-assisted-risk-informed-budgeting-for-nuclear-fleet-operations/) - A major nuclear fleet operator needed to align a site's five-year operations and maintenance (O&M) budget with targeted financial goals. Using MCR's risk-informed budgeting approach, our artificial intelligence (AI) agent rapidly reviewed the site's O&M budget, with all outputs validated by MCR's subject matter experts. MCR identified opportunities for more than $150 million in cost
- [Nuclear Plant Cost Reduction Services Brochure](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/nuclear-plant-cost-reduction-services-brochure/) - MCR's structured, data-driven approaches to cost reduction, including risk-informed budgeting, capital project evaluation, process improvement, and staffing optimization, help nuclear plant executives challenge embedded assumptions and target high-impact savings. Our proven methods demonstrate how plants can consistently achieve double-digit percentage reductions across O&M and capital without compromising safety or reliability. Read the white paper
- [Reconcile Safety and Reliability with Cost: A Proven Approach to Optimize Project Spending at Nuclear Power Plants (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/reconcile-safety-and-reliability-a-proven-approach-to-optimize-project-spending-at-nuclear-power-plants/) - Most nuclear plants rely on business cases to justify major projects; however, the process can become a formality that inflates budgets and crowds out higher-value work. MCR's approach to project evaluation rigorously manages risk, identifies credible project alternatives, and aligns business cases with fleet financial targets. Leveraging this approach, MCR has identified billions of dollars
- [FERC Filing Support – Supporting Public Power and Cooperatives in Transmission FERC Filings (Brochure)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/ferc-filing-support-supporting-public-power-and-cooperativesin-transmission-ferc-filingsbrochure/) - MCR supports clients in transmission FERC filings in:Transmission incentive rate filings, Section 205 rate filings involving cost of capital testimony and formula rate support, and intervention and settlement support. Download FERC Filing Brochure
- [A Top 10 Integrated Utility Achieves Cost Reduction Through Risk-Informed Budgeting](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/cost-reduction-through-rib-top-10-muni-2/) - A utility wanted to implement a sustainable methodology to provide visibility into cost drivers, incorporate risk valuation, maximize the value of each budget dollar, and help management ensure credible budget targets for the future. The utility engaged MCR due to our extensive experience providing consulting services in risk informed budgeting. Read the case study.
- [A Large Integrated Utility Achieves Cost Reduction Through Risk-Informed Budgeting](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/undergoing-cost-reduction-through-risk-informed-budgeting-for-a-large-southwest-municipal-utility-2/) - A large integrated utility in the Southwest was challenged by corporate oversight to operate under affordability goals to limit electric rate increases to 2% per year while keeping electric bills in the bottom 50% of all electric utilities in the state. With significant operations and maintenance cost reduction as the goal, the chief operating officer
- [Stephanie Zieger, Consultant](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/stephanie-zieger/)
- [Achieving Siginifcant O&M Reduction with Risk-Informed Budgeting (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/achieving-significant-om-reduction-with-risk-informed-budgeting-white-paper-2/) - As utilities operate under increasing financial and reliability pressure, O&M budgets can no longer rely on previous years' assumptions. Risk‑Informed Budgeting applies a structured categorization, challenge, and risk-based decision process to evaluate the necessity and timing of proposed budgets. This approach drives stronger executive engagement, transparent tradeoffs, and sustainable cost savings, turning budgeting from an
- [Planning Coal Plant Decommissioning, Demolition, and Site Remediation](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/planning-coal-plant-decommissioning-demolition-and-site-remediation-2/) - A large generation owner engaged MCR to develop a defensible financial forecast to retire a multi‑unit coal‑fired plant. MCR integrated unit retirement timing, an updated five‑year O&M budget, new demolition estimates, and environmental remediation strategies into a single closure financial package to support decision‑making and ARO accounting. MCR's work provided the client a clear road
- [Nuclear Capital Portfolio Optimization: Maintain Safety and Reliability, Reduce Costs and Surprises](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/nuclear-capital-portfolio-optimization-maintain-safety-and-reliability-reduce-costs-and-surprises/) - Nuclear capital portfolios are often destabilized by poor discovery, vague problem statements, and weak project valuations, leading to emergent work and cost overruns. This white paper outlines MCR's proven, risk‑based approach to valuing and prioritizing capital projects, enabling executives to rank projects objectively and allocate limited capital without compromising safety or reliability. Read the Nuclear
- [MCR Serves Natural Gas Utilities](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/mcr-serves-natural-gas-utilities/) - As one of only a handful of management consulting firms serving natural gas utilities, MCR is a trusted partner. Our exclusive utility focus avoids conflicts of interest, and our team has extensive natural gas experience. MCR supports gas utilities nationwide in four practice areas: Financial Planning and Analysis, Energy Products and Services, Regulatory Services, and
- [Careers](https://www.mcr-group.com/careers/) - As a knowledge-based consulting firm, MCR’s success is driven by the quality of our staff. That’s why we work hard to build teams of experts, finding just the right people to ensure we deliver exceptional results for our clients. A career at MCR means accepting a wide variety of responsibilities and delivering top-notch results to
- [Financial and Regulatory Strategy Tool](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/insights/financial-regulatory-strategy-tool/) - Download the FRSTTM brochure for municipals Download the FRSTTM brochure for G&T cooperatives Download the FRSTTM brochure for distribution cooperatives Download the FRSTTM brochure for IOUs MCR's Financial and Regulatory Strategy Tool (FRST™) is the forecast model of choice for finance and regulatory professionals who want a sophisticated planning tool that is easy to operate
- [De-Risking New Nuclear Construction](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/de-risking-new-nuclear-construction/) - New nuclear projects face a narrow opportunity to prove they can be executed differently than the last generation of U.S. builds. Lessons from Vogtle and V.C. Summer show that extreme cost and schedule overruns were driven by governance failures, weak processes, and unmanaged risks. This white paper presents MCR’s proven framework to quantify risks early,
- [AI Enhances MCR’s Industry-leading Cost Management Techniques](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/ai-enhances-mcrs-industry-leading-cost-management-techniques-2/) - Custom-built advanced AI data analytics raises the bar on MCR’s industry-leading cost management advisory services. Combining detailed process and workflow analysis with risk-informed budgeting and uniform capitalization policy drives objective alignment of operating and capital expenditures with corporate strategic priorities. Read the Whitepaper
- [MCR Transmission Strategy Services (brochure)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/mcr-transmission-strategy-services/) - MCR helps G&T cooperatives, municipals, public power districts and joint action agencies in SPP and MISO realize the full revenue potential from their transmission assets. We use a collaborative approach for all our transmission engagements with the goal of finding and generating value for our clients. Download our brochure to learn more about the services
- [John Simpsen, Manager](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/john-simpsen/)
- [Leaving TCOS Dollars on the Table: Is it Time to File?](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/leaving-tcos-dollars-on-the-table-is-it-time-to-file/) - In ERCOT, transmission rates continue to increase. Now more than ever, it is critical for ERCOT cooperative and municipal TOs to recover every dollar in their TCOS rate and ensure they are not leaving any money “on the table.” Leaving TCOS Dollars on the Table: Is it Time to File?
- [What We Do](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/what-we-do/) - Transmission Formula Rate Analysis Formula rate review for existing transmission owners MCR conducts reviews of transmission formula rates, (MISO Attach. O, & SPP/PJM Attach. H) to substantiate costs and optimize revenue. Development of annual transmission revenue requirements ("ATRR") for new transmission owners MCR develops cost data to support full RTO revenue recovery for new transmission
- [Utility Cost Management—A Strategic Approach](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/investor-perspectives-on-natural-gas-utilities-4/) - MCR’s new whitepaper, “Managing Costs to Mitigate Rates,” explores the challenges of rising utility bills and the risks of regulatory pushback. The paper highlights how intelligent, risk-informed cost management can help utilities control rates and maintain returns without needing regulatory approval. MCR’s expertise in this area has delivered significant savings for clients over the past
- [Utility Cost Management—A Strategic Approach](https://www.mcr-group.com/latest-insight/) - MCR’s new whitepaper, “Managing Costs to Mitigate Rates,” explores the challenges of rising utility bills and the risks of regulatory pushback. The paper highlights how intelligent, risk-informed cost management can help utilities control rates and maintain returns without needing regulatory approval. MCR’s expertise in this area has delivered significant savings for clients over the past
- [Process Improvement: Identifying the Most Elusive Sources of Cost](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/with-criticality-achieved-the-nuclear-industry-is-more-important-than-ever/) - MCR has developed a proven strategy for identifying and remedying inefficiencies in core business processes. This comprehensive process improvement approach has been successfully implemented for multiple clients. This white paper details how MCR’s unique blend of industry guidance, employee feedback, and technology yields targeted initiatives to enhance performance and reduce operational costs. Download the white
- [Utility Cost Management—A Strategic Approach](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/investor-perspectives-on-natural-gas-utilities-3/) - MCR’s new whitepaper, “Managing Costs to Mitigate Rates,” explores the challenges of rising utility bills and the risks of regulatory pushback. The paper highlights how intelligent, risk-informed cost management can help utilities control rates and maintain returns without needing regulatory approval. MCR’s expertise in this area has delivered significant savings for clients over the past
- [With Criticality achieved, the Nuclear Industry is more important than ever](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/with-criticality-achieved-the-nuclear-industry-is-more-important-than-ever-2/) - Nuclear generation is the largest and most reliable source of carbon-free, around-the-clock electricity. While this idea is gaining environmental and mainstream recognition, we believe more needs to be done to economically compensate nuclear for its increasingly crucial role in maintaining grid reliability. Download the white paper.
- [Matt Larkin, Director](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/matt-larkin/)
- [MCR Strategic Transmission Planning Process (brochure)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/mcr-strategic-transmission-planning-process/) - Helping Joint Action Agency and G&T Transmission Owners Develop a Strategic Business Plan for Their Transmission Business MCR Strategic Transmission Planning Process
- [Contact](https://www.mcr-group.com/contact/) - Thank you for your interest in MCR. Our address is: MCR Performance Solutions 520 Lake Cook Road, Suite 275 Deerfield, IL 60015 Phone: 847-562-0066 Fax: 847-562-0077
- [NARUC Resolution Recognizes Benefits of Natural Gas Energy Efficiency](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/naruc-resolution-recognizes-benefits-of-natural-gas-energy-efficiency/) - On July 29, 2025, the Committee on Gas of the National Association of Utility Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC) passed a number of substantive resolutions for Board of Directors consideration. One of them, Resolution GS-2, on Advancing Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Programs for Commercial and Industrial Customers, recognized a number of energy and non-energy benefits from gas
- [Alternative Ratemaking Series: Part 2 Formula Rates](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/alternative-ratemaking-series-part-2-formula-rates/) - Alternative ratemaking has become the norm in many U.S. states. Part 2 of the Alternative Ratemaking Series describes the history of formula rates from both a FERC and state jurisdictional perspective. Elements of plans are discussed as well as risks and benefits. Read the Paper >>>
- [Evolving Methods and Application of Energy Efficiency Cost-Effectiveness](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/evolving-methods-and-application-of-energy-efficiency-cost-effectiveness/) - Calculation of cost-effectiveness used to be straightforward and limited to utility energy efficiency (EE) review, approval and compliance reporting processes. Now benefit-cost analysis (BCA) is much more complex, involving more than just energy, and it is being applied in utility planning and investment decision- making extending for beyond EE. In our new white paper, we
- [Alternative Ratemaking – Four Ways to Move Forward](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/alternate-ratemaking/) - Alternative ratemaking has become the norm in many U.S. states. MCR’s experience and research show that four types of alternative rate plans are used throughout the industry. The four ways streamline the regulatory process by avoiding rate case proceedings and enabling utilities to file less frequently. Read the Paper >>>
- [En Banc Hearing Concerning Interconnection and Tariffs for Large Load Customers](https://www.mcr-group.com/the-growing-imperative-for-natural-gas-energy-efficiency-american-gas-foundation/) - Initial comments by MCR’s Vice President of Regulatory Services Cindy Menhorn were filed in Docket No. M-2025-3054271 to address the rapid growth of large load customers such as data centers and the associated tariff principles and rate design analysis. Read the document>>>
- [En Banc Hearing Concerning Interconnection and Tariffs for Large Load Customers](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/en-banc-hearing-concerning-interconnection-and-tariffs-for-large-load-customers/) - Initial comments by MCR’s Vice President of Regulatory Services Cindy Menhorn were filed in Docket No. M-2025-3054271 to address the rapid growth of large load customers such as data centers and the associated tariff principles and rate design analysis. Read the document>>>
- [Cost-Effectiveness Testing is the Battlefield of Utilities Future](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/cost-effectiveness-testing-is-the-battlefield-of-utilities-future/) - Calculation of cost-effectiveness is among the least consistent and most contentious parts of the utility energy efficiency review, approval and compliance reporting processes. This MCR Point of View (POV) shares our thoughts as to why this is the case, and what utilities can do to maximize outcomes of their regulatory filings and processes related to
- [Is your EV strategy ready – yet?](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/is-your-ev-strategy-ready-yet/) - Electric vehicles (EV) used to be something utilities thought of as on the horizon, but today they are very much here. The potential for significant increases in electricity sales is obvious, but EV also bring opportunities for enhanced customer engagement and experience. However, there are also considerable challenges related to infrastructure requirements to serve new
- [Participating in a National Standard Practice Manual Stakeholder Process](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/natural-gas-energy-efficiency-cost-effectiveness-getting-it-right-3/) - Recently, staff of MCR’s Regulatory Services practice joined staff from the Energy Products and Services practice in participating in a National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM) stakeholder process as an independent subject matter expert. In the brief case study, MCR shares perspectives on the cost-effectiveness test development process, mandated by the jurisdiction’s regulatory body, from our
- [Why Can’t We Be Friends? Gas and Electricity Can Meet Energy Challenges Together](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/investor-perspectives-on-natural-gas-utilities-2/) - Utilities today are challenged to deliver reliable, resilient, affordable, and clean energy against a backdrop of high interest rates, inflation, and increasingly hostile weather. Rather than “gold-plating” to address peak loads and tail risks, utilities might better serve their customers by working together to optimize use of built-and paid-for gas and electric delivery infrastructure. Read
- [Beneficial Electrification:  A Smart Strategy Makes the Difference](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/benefical-electrification-a-smart-strategy-makes-the-difference/) - Utilities nationwide are launching beneficial electrification (BE) initiatives, both to respond to market and policy evolutions and to enhance the growth of their electric business. Success begins with a well-thought out strategy. Download Beneficial Electrification Insight.
- [MCR Formula Rate Review (brochure)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/mcr-formula-rate-review-brochure/) - MCR’s Formula Rate Review is beneficial in a number of ways. It ensures you are: Optimizing your ATRR in MISO’s Attachment O/SPP’s Attachment H cost template Able to withstand challenges from outside parties Can fully meet FERC and MISO protocol requirements MCR has developed or reviewed over 100 formula rates for clients in SPP, MISO and
- [Ian Richter, Consultant](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/nikhil-tarlapally-2/)
- [The Growing Imperative for Natural Gas Energy Efficiency – American Gas Foundation](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/natural-gas-energy-efficiency-cost-effectiveness-getting-it-right-2/) - The American Gas Foundation (AGF) engaged MCR to evaluate the full range of current and future potential benefits that could accrue from natural gas utility energy efficiency (EE) programs, including 1) the current state of gas utility EE cost-effectiveness, and 2) perspective potential future benefits. The report provides an in-depth survey of existing natural gas
- [Nikhil Tarlapally, Lead Consultant](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/nikhil-tarlapally/)
- [Strategic and Financial Advisory](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/) - A multi-dimensional transformation taking place today is fundamentally changing the ways in which electric, gas, and water utilities plan, operate and interface with their customers. Our clients are feeling the impacts from increased penetration of distributed energy resources, the wide variety of options for smart grid technologies, an evolving role for natural gas, complex regulatory
- [DeepSeek, or Deep Fake?  Data Center Challenges and Opportunities for the Power Industry](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/deepseek-or-deep-fake-data-center-challenges-and-opportunities-for-the-power-industry/) - Artificial intelligence--and the power-hungry data centers that run it—dominated utility investor dialog last year. The power sector has decades of experience with shiny new sources of electricity demand—and the scars to prove it. Supply is being built, and the data centers are coming…but it’s fair to ask if they’ll all stick around. Read the white
- [Investor Perspectives on Natural Gas Utilities](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/investor-perspectives-on-natural-gas-utilities/) - The American Gas Association (AGA) and the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) commissioned MCR Performance Solutions LLC (MCR) to update and enhance their 2022 study, “Investor Expectations on North American Gas Utilities.” MCR found that while the gas utility industry’s underlying commercial foundation remains solid, regional policy challenges coupled with rapidly growing energy demand (and the
- [Cash Working Capital and Lead-Lag Studies](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/cash-working-capital-and-lead-lag-studies/) - In the evolving regulatory landscape, utilities across the electric, gas, and water sectors are facing increasing scrutiny from regulators who are demanding more detailed calculations of cash working capital. This requirement reflects a broader push for greater accuracy in the financial management of utilities, ensuring that rates charged to customers are fair and reflective of
- [Is your Nuclear Plant Capitalizing All the Costs you're Entitled to?](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/is-your-nuclear-plant-capitalizing-all-the-costs-youre-entitled-to/) - Reducing O&M costs is one of the highest priorities for nuclear generation executives today. Often overlooked, however, are project expenditures. A nuclear generation plant incorporates numerous interdependent pieces of equipment and components, and it can be difficult to identify whether items constitute discrete units of property (UoP), major components or something else. Read the
- [Wale Adeyinka, Lead Consultant](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/wale-adeyinka/)
- [Dylan Robideaux, Lead Consultant](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/dylan-robideaux/)
- [Dave Thompson, Vice President](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/dave-thompson/) - Dave is a Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at MCR. With over 20 years of management consulting experience to utilities, Dave has developed significant expertise in crafting innovative business solutions and sophisticated analytics in connection with strategic planning, risk management and financial planning initiatives. Dave played a key role in developing MCR’s Financial,
- [Dan Rupp, Manager](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/dan-rupp/) - With over 20 years of industry and consulting experience, Dan is a Manager at MCR. Dan transforms client financial forecasting capabilities by implementing MCR’s Financial, Regulatory and Strategy Tool and other sophisticated modeling applications. He helps provide management with insights on the impacts of alternative short- and long-term strategies and changing business and market conditions.
- [Cindy Menhorn, Vice President](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/cindy-menhorn-vice-president/) - Cindy is a Vice President of Regulatory Services at MCR. She has over 35 years of experience in rates, energy efficiency, load research, revenue forecasting, cost allocation and regulatory affairs, including work on over 100 regulatory proceedings before numerous state commissions. She has directed a multifunctional rate department, managing all aspects of rate case development,
- [Patrick McDermott, Manager](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/patrick-mcdermott/) - Patrick is a Manager at MCR. He has 9 years of experience in the nuclear energy industry in the areas of reliability engineering, design engineering and probabilistic risk assessment. Patrick uses his expertise to respond to client issues through application of technology, analytics and data-driven solutions. He has played an important role in advancing MCR’s
- [Ted Konstantino, Associate Consultant](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/ted-konstantino/)
- [Frank Craig, President and CEO](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/frank-craig/) - Frank is a co-founder and President of MCR. He has over 40 years of management consulting and business experience in the utilities industry. His has worked extensively for electric and gas utility clients advising them in areas of financial and operational processes and information systems, financial planning, budgeting, capital planning and rates and revenue requirements.
- [Strategic Business Planning for Transmission Owners](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/strategic-business-planning-for-transmission-owners/) - MCR works with clients to develop strategic business plans for transmission owners that set them up for success. These actionable plans address key transmission issues and help utilities transition to running transmission as a business rather than merely an operational necessity. Read Strategic Business Planning for Transmission Owners
- [MCR’s Cost and Rate Competitiveness Services (brochure)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/mcrs-cost-and-rate-competitiveness-services-brochure/) - Click here to download the Cost and Rate Competitiveness Services brochure MCR provides transmission strategy support to municipals, public power districts, joint action agencies, G&Ts, T&D cooperatives, and independent transmission developers in various RTOs. Our clients have a goal of optimizing the value of their current and future investments in electric transmission. We help them
- [The Seven Potential Threats to the Transmission Business. Is Transmission in MISO Still a Solid Business? (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/seven-threats-to-transmission-paper/) - Over the past decade, the transmission business has been lucrative for most transmission owners in MISO. Transmission investment has been a driver of earnings growth for investor-owned utilities (“IOUs”) and transmission companies (“Transcos”), while providing high returns for public power and cooperatives. On the horizon, however, there are a number of potential threats to the
- [The Seven Potential Threats to the Transmission Business: Is Transmission in SPP Still a Solid Business? (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/the-seven-potential-threats-to-the-transmission-business-is-transmission-in-spp-still-a-solid-business-white-paper/) - Over the past decade, the transmission business has been lucrative for most transmission owners in SPP transmission. Transmission investment has been a driver of earnings growth for investor-owned utilities (“IOUs”) and transmission companies (“Transcos”), while providing high returns for public power and cooperatives. On the horizon, however, there are numerous potential threats to the transmission
- [No End in Sight: Can Transmission Investment in MISO Continue at this Pace? (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/no-end-in-sight-can-transmission-investment-in-miso-continue-at-this-pace-white-paper/) - There are many factors driving transmission investment. Just when one factor seems to run its course, another reason for investing in transmission takes over. In MISO, the growth rate of transmission investing over the last year has slowed a bit, but the absolute levels of investment will remain high for at least the next several
- [Transmission Spending in PJM: Are You Obtaining Your Share of Transmission Investment? (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/transmission-spending-in-pjm-are-you-obtaining-your-share-of-transmission-investment/) - In PJM, total transmission investment by investor-owned utilities (“IOUs”) and transmission companies (“Transcos”) continues at high levels and is driving earnings. The factors encouraging investment show little sign of abating, ultimately leading to higher transmission rates. Many generation and transmission cooperatives (“G&Ts”) and public power entities are facing higher transmission rates from this substantial investment.
- [Transmission Investing in SPP: Are You Obtaining Your Share of Transmission Investment? (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/transmission-investing-in-spp-are-you-obtaining-your-share-of-transmission-investment/) - In SPP, total transmission investment continues at high levels and is being driven by many factors. However, recent investment by investor-owned utilities (“IOUs”) has been dominated by two IOUs. Many generation and transmission cooperatives (“G&Ts”) in SPP have recently stepped up their investment activity and some are now investing in transmission at a rate equivalent
- [The Transmission Arms Race Continues: Are You Obtaining Your Share of Transmission Investment (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/the-transmission-arms-race-continues-are-you-obtaining-your-share-of-transmission-investment-2/) - The “arms race” for transmission investments continues. In addition to investor-owned utilities (“IOUs”) and transmission companies (“Transcos”), generation and transmission cooperatives (“G&Ts”) and public power in MISO are increasing their levels of investment. But in many cases, G&Ts and public power make transmission investments at a disproportionally lower percentage than their load ratio share. This
- [Running Transmission as a Business: How G&Ts Can Participate in Today's Transmission Arms Race (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/running-transmission-as-a-business-how-gts-can-participate-in-todays-transmission-arms-race/) - There has been an “arms race” for transmission investments among investor-owned utilities (“IOU”) and transmission companies (“Transcos”), resulting in substantial increases in transmission rates for all MISO pricing zones. By contrast, many generation and transmission (“G&T”) cooperatives have not increased their transmission investment at the same rate of growth, resulting in substantial exposure to transmission
- [Going on the Offensive to Counter Dramatic Increases in Transmission Rates: Transmission Investing for Public Power and G&T Utilities (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/going-on-the-offensive-to-counter-dramatic-increases-in-transmission-rates-transmission-investing-for-public-power-and-gt-utilities-white-paper/) - Transmission rates across the country and, particularly, in the Midwest Independent System Operator will be dramatically increasing over the next ten years due to new high voltage transmission projects and the steady stream of local transmission facility replacements and upgrades. Municipal joint action agencies, municipals and G&T transmission owners have the opportunity to mitigate or
- [Pulling the Transmission Trigger: Evaluating MISO Transmission Ownership for Municipal Agencies and G&Ts (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/pulling-the-transmission-trigger-evaluating-miso-transmission-ownership-for-municipal-agencies-and-gts-white-paper/) - Some public power utilities have not yet decided whether it makes economic sense to join the Midwest ISO (MISO) as a Transmission Owner. In most cases, these municipal agencies and generation and transmission cooperatives are already a Market Participant in the Day 2 energy market, but they have not yet turned over functional control of
- [Cost Allocation for the Midwest ISO. ATRR Whac-a-Mole? (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/cost-allocation-for-the-midwest-iso-atrr-whac-a-mole/) - Cost allocation of transmission investment costs continues to be a major obstacle to building large new transmission and achieving renewables generation goals in the Midwest ISO (MISO) region. Existing methods of cost allocation can result in disproportionate impacts on certain utilities in close proximity to new transmission, so new methods of cost allocation are being
- [Transmission Investment Analysis](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/transmission-investment-analysis/) - With the recent surge in transmission investment being proposed, our cooperative, public power, and independent developer clients are all asking the same two questions: I know investing in transmission tends to be good, but how much value does it really provide for our members/ customers/owners, and how do I manage the risk? Download Transmission Investment
- [Rate Case Services](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/rate-case-services/) - MCR develops solutions to key issues facing utility executives. MCR works with you and your stakeholders to provide solutions that work in your regulatory jurisdictional environment. Our industry experts assist electric, natural gas and water companies. Read the Rate Case Services Insight>>>
- [How MCR Helped an Electric Utility Develop and Implement a New Cost of Service Model](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/how-mcr-helped-an-electric-utility-develop-and-implement-a-new-cost-of-service-model/) - Background The electric IOU Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) faced a number of challenges with its cost of service model. Intervenors struggled to understand the model during rate cases, slowing down the regulatory process. The model wasn’t user friendly and was difficult to master. In addition, it was proprietary, so if changes were
- [Regulatory Services](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/) - MCR specializes in the electric, natural gas and water utilities marketplace. Our clients have a goal of optimizing the value of the current and future investments in their regulated businesses. We help them by developing regulatory strategies, designing advanced rates and cost recovery mechanisms and managing the regulatory process to realize the full revenue potential
- [Energy Products and Services](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/) - Our clients are electric and gas utilities who plan and implement energy efficiency programs. MCR specializes in helping our clients go beyond meeting their energy efficiency regulatory obligations, leveraging the requirements into opportunities to promote better relationships with their customers. Through our consulting assignments, we help our clients navigate the complex energy efficiency business and avoid
- [No Time To Waste In Filing for Transmission Rate Incentives](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/insights/no-time-to-waste-in-filing-for-transmission-rate-incentives/) - The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) is undergoing the most ambitious transmission expansion in its history. This process, called Long-Range Transmission Planning (LRTP), consists of four project portfolios, or tranches. In July 2022, the MISO Board of Directors approved the first tranche of transmission solutions developed to provide reliable and economic energy delivery to address
- [Case Study: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for EV Programs](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/case-study-cost-effectiveness-analysis-for-ev-programs/) - As demand for electric vehicles (EV) continues to grow, the impacts of EV charging loads on utility systems and rates are an increasing concern. At the same time, the role of the utility in the EV and EV charging marketplaces remains a subject of discussion among regulators, policy makers, and other stakeholders. Regardless of the
- [The fallout from the SVB event and how utility financial professionals should respond (Point-of-View)](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/the-fallout-from-the-svb-event-and-how-utility-financial-professionals-should-respond-point-of-view/) - Over the past few weeks, business news headlines have been overwhelmed by echoes of the 2008 and 2020 financial crisis. Utilities are highly capital-intensive and rely on banks, particularly for short-term financing; should they be concerned about recent events? Read the Point of View
- [Utility Headwinds Call for Smart Cost Management](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/utility-headwinds-call-for-smart-cost-management/) - As third quarter earnings reports begin, utility results will be scrutinized for hints of slowing growth against a backdrop of higher interest rates and upward pressure on labor and other costs. The likelihood of “higher for longer” points up a need for a strategic and sustainable approach to cost management. Read the Point of View
- [Cutting Carbon and Adding Renewables May Not Win ESG Points](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/cutting-carbon-and-adding-renewables-may-not-win-esg-points/) - Switching from coal to natural gas and renewables has made the power sector a leader in cutting US carbon emissions. But adherence to a strict environmental, social, and governance (ESG) diet would deny capital to the very sector that’s doing the most good. Read the point of view
- [Stove wars—is natural gas part of the problem or part of the solution? (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/stove-wars-is-natural-gas-part-of-the-problem-or-part-of-the-solution-white-paper/) - Natural gas has emerged as arguably the world’s most critical source of energy, but the industry seems to be battling for its own survival in the face of environmental activism and local attempts to ban its use. In our view, the gas industry needs to emphasize the role it plays not only in the transition
- [Lessons Learned from the Rate Case Process](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/lessons-learned-from-the-rate-case-process/) - As utilities find themselves in need of increased revenue, it is important to evaluate lessons learned from prior rate case proceedings so the next rate case will be more successful. This paper focuses on lessons learned in four areas: 1) understanding the regulatory process, 2) employing stakeholder engagement, 3) confirming data integrity, and 4) leveraging
- [Now for the Hard Part – Growing Your Utility without the Triple Two’s (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/now-for-the-hard-part-growing-your-utility-without-the-triple-twos/) - U.S. utilities have enjoyed a decade of capital investment that is delivering greater reliability and efficiency for customers, strong returns for shareholders and lower environmental impacts for all. Looking ahead, the industry faces a generational investment opportunity in a transitioning energy world, but in our view, execution risk is rising. Why? Read the white paper
- [Utility Cost Management—A Strategic Approach](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/utility-cost-management-a-strategic-approach/) - Cost management and budgeting in the utility industry are often based on prior year actual numbers and activity, without questioning why specific line items need funding, or evaluating the risk of not funding or carrying out a particular project or activity in a given year. MCR’s nuclear practice has developed a proprietary, strategic approach to
- [Ron Kennedy, Vice President](https://www.mcr-group.com/mcr-team/ron-kennedy-vice-president/) - Ron Kennedy is a Vice President with MCR. He has 20 years of experience in consulting to the utility industry. His expertise includes transmission formula rates, Section 205 rate changes, transmission rate incentives, economic evaluation of RTO membership and financial evaluation of transmission projects. Ron is experienced in presenting to executive teams and Boards of
- [How MCR Helped a Southern IOU Develop a Green Energy Tariff as Part of Securing Renewable Load](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/how-mcr-helped-a-southern-iou-develop-a-green-energy-tariff-as-part-of-securing-renewable-load/) - Background A Southern vertically integrated electric company was signing a power purchase agreement (PPA) to secure renewable load. As part of that process, they wanted to know whether a specific tariff for renewable energy would be acceptable to both customers and regulators, and whether it made business sense for the company to pursue for this
- [Five Key Strategic Considerations for the Utility Regulatory Process](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/five-key-strategic-considerations-for-the-utility-regulatory-process/) - Of the many business functions unique to utilities, the process of setting rates is probably the most arcane and least understood by those outside the industry. While developing a financial model in support of a given tariff is relatively straightforward and formulaic, implementing it in the rate-setting process comes with myriad subtleties. The state-level regulatory
- [Modern Electric Vehicle Rate Design Options](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/modern-electric-vehicle-rate-design-options/) - Electric vehicle (EV) sales increased dramatically in 2022, with more than 750,000 new all-electric cars registered in the United States – a 55% increase over 2021 sales. Although forecasts vary widely, many analysts expect strong acceleration in EV adoption. Some analysts forecast EVs could represent 50% of total U.S. passenger car sales by 2030. If
- [Modern Electric Vehicle Rate Design Options](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/modern-electric-vehicle-rate-design-options/) - Electric vehicle (EV) sales increased dramatically in 2022, with more than 750,000 new all-electric cars registered in the United States – a 55% increase over 2021 sales. Although forecasts vary widely, many analysts expect strong acceleration in EV adoption. Some analysts forecast EVs could represent 50% of total U.S. passenger car sales by 2030. If
- [Cost of Service Options](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/cost-of-service-options/) - MCR works with our clients to determine the best approach to cost of service. We offer a few options for rolling out our Cost of Service Tool (COST™), including licensing the model along with additional consulting support. Download our brief overview, Cost of Service Options for Utilities, to learn more about these alternatives.
- [Energy Efficiency: Today’s Silver Bullet For Gas Utilities](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/energy-efficiency-todays-silver-bullet-for-gas-utilities/) - Now more than ever, MCR has found in its current and recent work that gas utility energy efficiency products and services are a strategic opportunity, perhaps a strategic imperative, for local distribution companies (LDC). Gas energy efficiency is an impactful tool in the LDC’s load growth and retention toolbox. Also, as the influence of ESG
- [Point of View: Gas Energy Efficiency for Strategic Load Growth & Retention](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/point-of-view-gas-energy-efficiency-for-strategic-load-growth-retention/) - It is time for gas companies to ask themselves a critical question: Can gas energy efficiency programming be used as a strategic opportunity to grow and retain load? Customer-funded natural gas energy efficiency (EE) spending via utility EE programs has risen from approximately $300 million per year in 2006 to over $1.5 billion today. Largely
- [Financial Planning and Analysis](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/) - MCR specializes in financial planning, regulatory analysis, strategic issues analysis and risk management for electric, natural gas and water utility businesses. Our clients are IOUs, G&T cooperatives, municipals and joint action agencies that are committed to developing better strategies and making astute financial decisions. Clients hire us because we are able to apply analytic discipline
- [Utility Financial Modeling: Spreadsheets Can Deliver Results (point of view)](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/insights/utility-financial-modeling-spreadsheets-can-deliver-results/) - Financial and regulatory analysts working at utilities understand the need for utility-specific models as the unique challenges of utility forecasting cannot be shoehorned into a model built for other types of businesses. No other industry requires the type of logic needed to translate forecasts of expense, revenue and capital investment into an integrated whole while
- [Debt Management System: Specifically Designed for Managing Electric Cooperative Debt (brochure)](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/insights/debt-management-system-specifically-designed-for-managing-electric-cooperative-debt-brochure/) - The typical electric cooperative can have hundreds of individual long-term debt issuances. Oftentimes, this leads to the creation of several disjointed spreadsheets throughout the organization, leaving it difficult to find the most up-to-date information on company debt. MCR’s Debt Management System (DMS) provides a centralized database for storing, administrating and reporting an unlimited number of
- [Energy Efficiency Program Management and Reporting Systems  (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/energy-efficiency-program-management-and-reporting-systems/) - Running a portfolio of energy efficiency programs is a data intensive business. Baseline and replacement technologies, measure lives, deemed savings, budgets, program and cost effectiveness tests results: these represent a small sample of the energy efficiency business information. The users of this information are diverse and support a wide range of processes, including program management,
- [Optimizing Program EM&V Results at Duquesne Light Company (case study)](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/optimizing-program-emv-results-at-duquesne-light-company/) - All energy efficiency professionals know it is challenging to design a portfolio of energy efficiency programs that will withstand tough scrutiny by third-party evaluators and achieve high realization rates. But, you can achieve that goal with high cost effectiveness if you follow our guideline: Programs designed to be measured … measure well. MCR’s case study
- [Environmental Advocates Have Proposed a Sweeping New Approach to Regulating Utility Capital Investments and Earnings (News Alert)](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/environmental-advocates-have-proposed-a-sweeping-new-approach-to-regulating-utility-capital-investments-and-earnings-news-alert/) - On August 19, 2020, the organization E4TheFuture, whose mission is to “promote residential clean energy and sustainable resource solutions to advance climate protection and economic fairness by influencing… policies,” released a new publication titled, “National Standard Practice Manual for Benefit-Cost Analysis of Distributed Energy Resources” (“NPSM for DER”). Under the direction of E4TheFuture, advocacy-oriented firms
- [Pilots for the Changing World of Energy Efficiency (thought piece)](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/pilots-for-the-changing-world-of-energy-efficiency/) - The challenges, demands, and scope of utility energy efficiency (EE) programming are all rapidly changing, bringing a need for real innovation. All parties designing and approving EE plans have been focused on the problem of how to make up for energy and demand savings no longer available from screw-in LED and other lighting, but there
- [Life After Lighting: How Utilities Should Retool Their Energy Efficiency Portfolios (white paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/insights/life-after-lighting-white-paper/) - Recently, there has been federal activity at the Department of Energy (“DOE”) regarding general service lighting (“GSL”), the Energy Independence and Security Act (“EISA”) efficiency standard, and the 45 lumen per watt backstop for GSL. This activity creates for a timely opportunity for MCR to revisit standards, lighting, and “Life After Lighting” for utilities and
- [Contemporary Ratemaking Course (brochure)](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/contemporary-ratemaking-course/) - A number of MCR's clients have expressed a need for a comprehensive ratemaking course for their internal regulatory teams. While there are certainly a number of existing alternative rate classes to choose from, they don't always fit a utility's needs because they: Lack a utility focus Include consumer advocates and commission staffs as participants and
- [Becoming a More Effective Witness Course (brochure)](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/becoming-a-more-effective-witness-course/) - MCR provides services to enhance our clients' abilities to present and advocate their positions in regulatory proceedings. MCR educators pull from their own experiences presenting and supporting expert testimony on behalf of clients before numerous state regulatory bodies and FERC. Additionally, MCR conducts seminars, workshops and mock trial training exercises to enhance the effectiveness of rate
- [The Age of Alternative Ratemaking (paper)](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/the-age-of-alternative-ratemaking-paper/) - The use of Alternative Ratemaking Mechanisms (“ARM”) is not a new concept. Yet, despite its solid record of being beneficial to utilities, regulators, and stakeholders, it has historically had a slow level of adoption by many states. That has now changed, and we are entering a new regulatory age: The Age of ARM. Even states
- [Benefical Electrification:  A Smart Strategy Makes the Difference](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/benefical-electrification-a-smart-strategy-makes-the-difference/) - Utilities nationwide are launching beneficial electrification (BE) initiatives, both to respond to market and policy evolutions and to enhance the growth of their electric business. Success begins with a well-thought out strategy. Download Benefical Electrification Insight.
- [Is your EV strategy ready – yet?](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/is-your-ev-strategy-ready-yet/) - Electric vehicles (EV) used to be something utilities thought of as on the horizon, but today they are very much here. The potential for significant increases in electricity sales is obvious, but EV also bring opportunities for enhanced customer engagement and experience. However, there are also considerable challenges related to infrastructure requirements to serve new
- [Top 5 Features a Cost of Service Model Must Have (point of view)](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/top-5-features-a-cost-of-service-model-must-have-point-of-view/) - In this era of increasing regulatory transparency and the need for innovation in rate design alternatives, utilities must have a state-of-the-art cost of service model to perform the necessary analyses. MCR recently conducted a survey of utility regulatory professionals on what they see as the “Top Five” key features that are required of today’s cost
- [Cost of Service Tool (brochure)](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/insights/cost-of-service-tool/) - The Cost of Service Tool (COST™) is the newest addition to MCR’s suite of spreadsheet applications. COST™ is ideal for regulatory professionals seeking to provide greater transparency to regulators, intervenors and other stakeholders. The modeling tool also provides flexibility for in-house scenario analysis and rate design options. Built in Microsoft Excel, COST™ is a fully
- [Reconcile Safety & Reliability Cost](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/reconcile-safety-reliability-cost/) - MCR assists nuclear plants by teaching techniques to prepare robust business cases with creative alternatives, quantifying reliability and financial risk. With this information, the Executive Review Team is empowered with previously unavailable insights to confidently make the best decisions. Download the PDF.
- [Cost Reduction through Risk-Informed Budgeting](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/cost-reduction-through-risk-informed-budgeting/) - As part of an overall effort to inject more rigor into the development of their Operations & Maintenance (O&M) budget, a top-10 integrated utility in the Southwest sought to engage a firm with extensive experience in providing consulting services in zero base budgeting (ZBB) for utilities. Download the RIB case study
- [Developing a Strategic Business Plan for a Cooperative (Strategic Economic Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/developing-a-strategic-business-plan-for-a-cooperative-strategic-economic-analysis/) - “This Transmission Business Strategy was a great opportunity to get in front of our Board of Directors and our senior staff and do an education piece on the key industry issues, but also to inform them of our transmission strategies. I'm very happy with how it turned out.” —Vice President of Transmission, Cooperative Background A
- [Helping Duquesne Light Company serve the low income market by facilitating multifamily passive house projects](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/dlc-multifamily-passive-house/) - Download the Background It is well known in the world of energy efficiency that it is particularly challenging to achieve energy and demand savings in the low income residential sector. Like many utilities, Duquesne Light Company offered a program focused on serving low income multifamily properties. After the winning bidder of the implementation contract abruptly
- [Forecasting electric vehicles and photovoltaic systems for Indianapolis Power & Light’s Integrated Resource Plan](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/ipl-ev-solar-forecast/) - “Having a third party complete this analysis was essential to IPL; MCR was knowledgeable, provided a well-done report, and presented the material really well. MCR is very organized and on top of project management. They have great communication. They are very easy to work with.” —Erik Miller, Senior Research Analyst Background While developing its 20-year
- [Debt Management System (brochure)](https://www.mcr-group.com/debt-management-system-brochure/) - Typical electric cooperatives can have hundreds of individual long-term debt issuances. Oftentimes, this leads to the creation of several disjointed spreadsheets throughout the organization, leaving it difficult to find the most up-to-date information on company debt. MCR's Debt Management System is a single source database for inputting, tracking and reporting company debt, as well as dealing with
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- [Capitalization Policy and Units of Property Integration (case study)](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/insights/capitalization-policy-and-units-of-property-integration/) - Upon completing its merger with another utility, a large, multi-jurisdictional IOU needed to integrate its capitalization policies and unit of property (UoP) catalogues for its expanded generation fleet, transmission, distribution and general utility property. The existing UoPs were overly cumbersome and a perennial source of disputes in project capital/expense classification decisions. As one senior accounting
- [What We Do](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/what-we-do/) - Rate Case Support and Strategy MCR helps clients develop successful rate case strategies for state jurisdictions and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). We help evaluate the decision to file a case, define overall objectives, support the underlying rationale, prepare supporting analysis of regulatory issues, and determine the optimal timing for cases. MCR works with
- [Client Stories](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/client-stories/) - MCR’s Strategic and Financial Advisory practice works with electric, natural gas and water utilities. They include Investor-Owned utilities, Generation and Transmission Cooperatives and Municipal and Public Power companies. Please visit our website in the coming months to receive updates on our latest client success stories.
- [Insights](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/insights/)
- [What we do](https://www.mcr-group.com/strategic-and-financial-advisory/what-we-do/) - Finance and Investor Relations MCR helps our clients better understand capital markets and what’s driving their company’s stock. We provide expert analysis on ownership changes, valuation, dividend policy, peer ownership, analyst recommendations, and market trends. We provide informed investor targeting and activist surveillance. We support investor and board communications ranging from press releases to presentation
- [About Us](https://www.mcr-group.com/about-us/) - We are proud of our firm’s achievements. We measure our firm’s success from the perspective of our clients. They want to work with a firm that is exceptional in the areas of: Client Relationships. We have built long-term relationships with our clients spanning two decades. Over 90% of our business is from our existing clients,
- [MCR Online Demonstrations](https://www.mcr-group.com/online-demonstrations/) - MCR is on the forefront of identifying Beneficial Electrification (“BE”) opportunities and analyzing them from the perspectives of key stakeholders in order to assist clients with design and eventual launch of pilots or fully scaled programs and/or products. Key Stakeholders Recognizing that various definitions for “Beneficial Electrification” exist, MCR begins with the following
- [Upgrading Duquesne Light Company’s low income energy efficiency program tracking system](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/upgrading-duquesne-light-companys-low-income-energy-efficiency-program-tracking-system/) - “MCR’s upgrade to the low income EE tracking system was delivered on time and on budget to significantly improve our staff and implementer efficiency, enhance our reporting capabilities, and modernize our cross-platform data exchanges.” —Dave Defide, Senior Manager of Customer Programs Background Duquesne Light Company built its original low income energy efficiency (EE) tracking system
- [Upgrading Duquesne Light Company’s energy efficiency program tracking system](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/upgrading-duquesne-light-companys-energy-efficiency-program-tracking-system/) - “MCR’s upgrade to the EE tracking system was delivered on time and on budget to significantly improve our staff and implementer efficiency, enhance our reporting capabilities, and modernize our web application infrastructure.” —Dave Defide, Senior Manager of Customer Programs Background With the launch of a portfolio of demand-side management programs in response to the passage
- [Conducting a nationwide market scan to help a small gas utility chart a course for development of its first EE plan](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/conducting-a-nationwide-market-scan/) - Background A small Mid-Atlantic gas utility had never run formal energy efficiency (EE) programs when legislation in one of its states required the utility to develop an EE plan, vet it through various stakeholder processes, and file it with the regulator. Being small and lacking EE experience, the client knew it did not want to
- [What We Do](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/what-we-do/) - Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement Internal strategy development and execution MCR recognizes energy efficiency (EE) is no longer simply a compliance obligation, but rather is part of broader strategic efforts in grid modernization, distributed energy resources (DER) and customer engagement. MCR brings together internal functional areas that are affected directly or influenced indirectly by EE operations
- [What We Do](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/what-we-do/) - Risk informed budgeting MCR reduces and controls O&M costs by working with budget owners to justify all budget expenditures from a baseline of zero. We risk-rank every budget line item by evaluating the risk incurred if not funded and then comparing risk in the context of complete budgets. Our “challenge process” uses a peer review
- [Achieving optimized funding through a value-based decision-making process](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/achieving-optimized-funding-through-a-value-based-decision-making-process/) - “The MCR team has been involved in building our value scoring acumen and helping us to standardize how we score projects across the fleet. Consequently, our engineers in nuclear score projects consistently and can explain variances to those scores.” —Project Manager Background The nuclear division of a large southern utility was challenged with transitioning from
- [Helping a generation business unit optimize preventive maintenance projects during an outage](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/helping-a-generation-business-unit-optimize-preventive-maintenance-projects-during-an-outage/) - Background A generation business unit was planning the maintenance outage scope for its nuclear plant and had an extensive list of Preventive Maintenance projects as candidates for inclusion in the outage plan. Given the high cost of having the plant offline for maintenance work, the generation business unit was considering Preventive Maintenance Optimization (PMO) to
- [Developing an energy efficiency KPI reporting process](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/developing-an-energy-efficiency-kpi-reporting-process/) - Background While managing day-to-day operations of a comprehensive portfolio of programs and preparing for a new filing with the Commission, the Energy Efficiency Manager of a Mid-Atlantic utility was tasked with reporting portfolio performance key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior management on a monthly basis. Some of these KPIs were straightforward and readily available in
- [Helping an energy efficiency program continue successfully during COVID](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/helping-an-energy-efficiency-program-continue-successfully-during-covid/) - “Our partnership with MCR over the past decade has been exceptional and the success of this program during a very difficult time speaks to the high quality and innovative nature of what could have been a very rough year.” —Senior Manager of Customer Programs Background A mid-Atlantic utility selected MCR Performance Solutions, LLC (MCR) by
- [Developing a transmission formula rate and protocols for a transmission developer (Transmission Formula Rate Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/developing-a-transmission-formula-rate-and-protocols-for-a-transmission-developer/) - Background A transmission developer participated in a public policy-based solicitation process and was awarded a segment of a very large transmission line project. The project represented the developer’s entrance into the RTO, which required a new formula rate and protocols. The transmission developer engaged MCR to develop and support the formula rate and protocols at
- [Helping an investor-owned electric utility implement COST™ to achieve greater cost transparency](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/helping-an-investor-owned-electric-utility-implement-cost-to-achieve-greater-cost-transparency/) - Background An investor-owned utility was involved in a complex rate case involving significant shifts in rate structure across all classes. The initial Cost of Service filing was prepared using a database tool that provided output without the underlying logic. Intervenors and commission staff expressed frustration with their lack of access to the underlying logic of
- [Helping a water conglomerate utilize COST™ to achieve budget forecasts in multiple territories](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/helping-a-water-conglomerate-utilize-cost-to-achieve-budget-forecasts-in-multiple-territories/) - Background A large water company needed a Cost of Service model to provide full details over 20 jurisdictions and to easily expand when additional properties were acquired. The conglomerate’s individual territories and acquired companies each had unique models that could not be directly compared to each other. Analysts had to spend valuable time learning each
- [Helping a large gas utility implement COST™ to allow  in-house development of cost of service and rate design](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/helping-a-large-gas-utility-implement-cost-to-allow-in-house-development-of-cost-of-service-and-rate-design/) - Background A large gas utility serving over 750,000 customers wanted to purchase a study to run scenarios in house. They also had a desire to be able to run scenarios in two other jurisdictions for rate cases. The utility engaged MCR to develop the Cost of Service Tool (COST™) to enable the utility to run
- [Comparing transmission cost and rate competitiveness (Transmission Cost / Rate Competitiveness)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/comparing-transmission-cost-and-rate-competitiveness/) - “MCR has the full package; MCR brings the subject matter expertise and knowledge of transmission rates, rate structure, finance & accounting, and FERC policy.” —Senior VP, cooperative Background A cooperative’s transmission rates had been escalating at a higher pace than the average of other transmission owners in the RTO. A senior vice president of the
- [Conducting a valuation of transmission capacity rights  (Strategic Economic Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/conducting-a-valuation-of-transmission-capacity-rights/) - “MCR looked at the valuation analysis from three very different angles and explained their final choice for valuation. No party contested any of the analysis.” — City Manager, municipal utility —City Manager, municipal utility Background A municipal utility was contemplating leaving its joint action agency and wanted to determine the value of its transmission capacity
- [Conducting a review of a transmission formula rate (Transmission Formula Rate Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/conducting-a-review-of-a-transmission-formula-rate-2/) - “The improved cost recovery from the Attachment O Review is a windfall for us … the return on investment was immediate and substantial.” —GM, municipal utility Background The general manager of a MISO transmission-owning municipal electric utility saw an MCR conference presentation and became interested in MCR’s Attachment O formula rate services. The general manager
- [Helping Duquesne Light Company design and implement energy efficiency programs to meet its Pennsylvania Act 129 obligations over three multi-year phases](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/helping-duquesne-light-company-design-and-implement-energy-efficiency-programs/) - Background Signed into law by Governor Ed Rendell in 2008, Pennsylvania Act 129 required Duquesne Light Company, and other electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania, to develop cost effective plans that would reduce electricity consumption across their service territory by one percent by 2011 and three percent by 2013. In order to meet these requirements and
- [Helping a multi-district water utility calculate revenue requirements through implementation of an integrated regulatory analysis system](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/helping-a-multi-district-water-utility-calculate-revenue-requirements/) - Background A water utility with multiple districts wanted a tool to calculate revenue requirements and develop the standard filing requirement reports for one of their states. The tool needed to calculate all districts concurrently, be easy to maintain and be highly accurate. The team also wanted to bring cost of service modeling in-house rather than
- [Helping a multi-district water utility calculate revenue requirements through implementation of an integrated regulatory analysis system](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/helping-a-multi-district-water-utility-calculate-revenue-requirements/) - Background A water utility with multiple districts wanted a tool to calculate revenue requirements and develop the standard filing requirement reports for one of their states. The tool needed to calculate all districts concurrently, be easy to maintain and be highly accurate. The team also wanted to bring cost of service modeling in-house rather than
- [Helping a vertically integrated utility develop a strategy and roadmap to engaging stakeholders in a new regulatory framework that closely aligned integrated resource planning  and energy efficiency](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/helping-a-vertically-integrated-utility-develop-a-strategy-and-roadmap-to-engaging-stakeholders-in-a-new-regulatory-framework-that-closely-aligned-integrated-resource-planning-and-energy-efficiency/) - Background A large, vertically integrated utility found itself challenged by the need to comply with new integrated resource planning (IRP) and energy efficiency (EE) legislation and regulatory commission implementation guidance after contention in the prior IRP filing and process, and amidst criticism of EE efforts by energy and environmental advocates. With multiple parties involved and
- [What We Do](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/what-we-do/) - Financial forecasting MCR helps our clients develop financial plans, evaluate strategies, quantify risks and manage cash flow through our Financial and Regulatory Strategy Tool (FRST™), the only financial forecasting solution in the utility industry. Regulatory analysis MCR’s Financial and Regulatory Strategy Tool (FRST™) provides in-depth analysis of revenue requirements and provides regulatory groups with insights
- [Helping Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency improve financial planning processes and better manage funding and reserves using FRST](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/helping-southern-minnesota-municipal-power-agency-improve-financial-planning-processes-and-better-manage-funding-and-reserves-using-frst/) - “In order to properly configure the FRST™ model, MCR had to thoroughly understand our drivers and business model. It never ceases to amaze me that MCR staff quickly figured out our business model. There’s no doubt FRST™ has enabled us to have a much better handle on our financial metrics and requirements, and the ability
- [Enabling Georgia Transmission Corporation to develop better long range plans and forecast short-term liquidity with FRST](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/enabling-georgia-transmission-corporation-to-develop-better-long-range-plans-and-forecast-short-term-liquidity-with-frst/) - "The initial development and flexibility of FRST™ just blew us away. MCR knows far more about Excel than most people I’ve come across. They know how to put that into the context of our business model and tie everything together. With knowledge of utilities and experience in forecasting, developing the FRST™ model worked really quite
- [Improving an investor owned utility's financial planning and risk analysis capabilities with FRST](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/improving-an-investor-owned-utilitys-financial-planning-and-risk-analysis-capabilities-with-frst/) - "It was lightning speed ahead of our prior model. With FRSTTM, we could create more reports and more dimensions in a fraction of the time. There hasn't been a need that's come up that we haven't been able to solve with FRSTTM." —Corporate Financial Analyst Background A mid-sized investor-owned utility was using an inefficient,
- [Enhancing a distribution cooperative's financial forecasting capabilities with FRST](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/enhancing-a-distribution-cooperatives-financial-forecasting-capabilities-with-frst/) - "MCR was able to automate feeds of data coming from different supporting parts of the organization. They included rating reports based on their knowledge of recent releases and updates of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch ratings criteria. I use the FRST™ model on a monthly basis to give updates to our executive management and to our
- [Helping a mid-size utility client deeply understand its low-income and government, non-profit and institutional markets](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/helping-a-mid-size-utility-client-deeply-understand-its-low-income-and-government-non-profit-and-institutional-markets/) - Background As part of its triennial energy efficiency (EE) planning process, a mid-size utility client wondered how much savings it could capture, and at what cost, by focusing on its low-income and government, non-profit and institutional (GNI) markets. In effect, they wanted a deep dive into market characterization and a forecast of economic potential in
- [Building a detailed rate forecast for a G&T with multiple rate classes](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/building-a-detailed-rate-forecast-for-a-gt-with-multiple-rate-classes/) - Background A large G&T sought to replace a black-box forecasting model with a tool that could support detailed forecasting of revenue requirements that matched the utility’s cost of service for each of its member classes. Solution MCR implemented its Financial and Regulatory Strategy Tool (FRST™) with a client team comprising experts across the finance and
- [Updating FRST™ with new regulatory strategy capabilities](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/updating-frst-with-new-regulatory-strategy-capabilities/) - Background MCR’s client is an IOU that had implemented a version of MCR’s Financial and Regulatory Strategy Tool (FRST™) that focused on short-term earnings forecasting. The initial implementation was based on the Regulatory group providing all aspects of information for future rate cases. The resulting process worked in an environment with few rate cases; but
- [Developing a regulatory strategy capability for an IOU](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/developing-a-regulatory-strategy-capability-for-an-iou/) - Background A large utility owned electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities across a multi-state area. As they focused on growth through acquisition, they lacked the ability to analyze each entity’s need for rate cases consistent with their planning horizon. Solution MCR configured its Financial and Regulatory Strategy Tool (FRST™) to support annual planning with a
- [Updating a unit of property catalogue for a government utility](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/updating-a-unit-of-property-catalogue-for-a-government-utility/) - Background Recently a large southern utility, faced with improving reliability for an aging generation and transmission infrastructure, experienced ever increasing perplexity in decisions related to major equipment replacement accounting classification. First of a kind obsolescence projects further complicated accounting classification decisions driving the need for a review and revision of the company’s unit of
- [Conducting a review of the transmission formula rate of a nearby incumbent IOU (Transmission Formula Rate Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/conducting-a-review-of-the-transmission-formula-rate-of-a-nearby-icumbent-iou/) - "MCR are in-depth experts on the Attachment O… I was flabbergasted MCR was able to gather so much information. They had all the appropriate questions for the IOU." —Director of Finance, municipal utility Background A municipal utility was faced with rapidly rising transmission rates from the neighboring incumbent IOU transmission owner. It had been many
- [Conducting a review of a transmission formula rate (Transmission Formula Rate Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/conducting-a-review-of-a-transmission-formula-rate/) - “Engaging MCR is one of the true investments a utility can make that will really pay off… I’ll tell you there’s a lot more utilities that could use this kind of help. The upfront cost is certainly worth the reward.” —GM, municipal utility Background A municipal electric utility, which is an existing transmission-owning utility in
- [Conducting a review of the transmission formula rate of neighboring IOU (Transmission Formula Rate Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/conducting-a-review-of-the-transmission-formula-rate-of-neighboring-iou/) - "MCR went through the cost data with a fine tooth comb and asked the incumbent IOU some very hard questions." —Financial Planning Manager, joint action agency Background A joint action agency was faced with an unusually large transmission true-up charge and was concerned the neighboring IOU made a significant analytical error. The agency engaged MCR
- [Developing a transmission formula rate template for a joint action agency (Transmission Formula Rate Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/developing-a-transmission-formula-rate-template-for-a-joint-action-agency/) - “MCR’s forward-looking test year and construction work in progress analysis helped justify our filing with our internal Board, as well as the ultimate filing with FERC, which was subsequently approved.” —Transmission Planning Manager Background A joint action agency decided to invest in two major new transmission projects. The client discussed with MCR the prospect
- [Conducting a transmission formula rate review and education of client staff for a joint action agency (Transmission Formula Rate Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/conducting-a-transmission-formula-rate-review-and-education-of-client-staff-for-a-joint-action-agency/) - “Everyone I know would do well to have MCR come in at least once to do a review. It’s good to have an independent resource that isn’t attached to (the RTO) … for our agency and three of our members, MCR was able to point out some significant areas where we weren’t recovering all we
- [Conducting a review of the transmission formula rate and developing a transmission revenue forecast (Strategic Economic Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/conducting-a-review-of-the-transmission-formula-rate-and-developing-a-transmission-revenue-forecast/) - "I assumed the person before me knew what they were doing, so I was hesitant to change the way they were doing things. MCR opened my mind and gave me the confidence to change the way things are done." —Manager of Accounting & Finance, municipal utility Background A transmission-owning municipal electric utility in MISO was
- [Conducting an economic evaluation of an RTO membership (Strategic Economic Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/conducting-an-economic-evaluation-of-an-rto-membership/) - "MCR guided us through considerations logically, so we could easily ask what would cause MCR to have a different opinion. They provided recommendations and rationale that was easy to follow… they help synthesize data in a manner that increased our industry insight. They connect and make relevant industry insight based on the audience's or decision
- [Providing analysis and negotiation support for a municipal utility (Strategic Economic Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/provide-analysis-and-negotiation-support-for-a-municipal-utility/) - "The negotiation process with the incumbent utility in our zone went very well. MCR’s modeling results proved we should be building the transmission substation in order to obtain investment neutrality. Without their expertise, we would not have been able to accomplish what we accomplished." —General Manager, municipal utility Background A municipal utility was preparing
- [Developing a transmission business plan for a G&T Client (Strategic Economic Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/developing-a-transmission-business-plan-for-a-gt-client-background/) - “I’m a return customer, because I think MCR really possesses an excellent understanding of transmission as a business and how to create value from investing in transmission. They were very useful in conveying those concepts and helping people apply those concepts towards building a concrete and actionable plan.” —CEO, G&T Background A generation and
- [Providing economic analysis of a proposed new transmission investment for a G&T cooperative (Strategic Economic Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/providing-economic-analysis-of-a-proposed-new-transmission-investment-for-a-gt-cooperative/) - “MCR takes complicated concepts and presents them in a way that’s easily understood by our Board of Directors, who are not immersed in the transmission industry. MCR has a confidence when presenting in front of others and that comes from knowledge, knowing the business, which is quite valuable.” —Transmission Planning Manager Background A generation
- [Quantifying economic benefits of joining an RTO as a transmission owner for a municipal utility (Strategic Economic Analysis)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/quantifying-economic-benefits-of-joining-an-rto-as-a-transmission-owner-for-a-municipal-utility/) - “MCR has an expertise that was otherwise very difficult or even impossible to find. MCR’s expertise has allowed us to move forward with our strategic plan on transmission. … MCR has become more than just a consultant; they’ve become a partner in our operation.” —General Manager Background A municipal utility client was contemplating membership as
- [Analyzing the rate impact of joining an RTO (Transmission Cost/Rate Competitiveness)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/analyzing-the-rate-impact-of-joining-an-rto/) - "They were very knowledgeable. That’s why we hired them; we wanted to tap into that knowledge. If they didn’t know, they would say they didn’t know. I got a great sense of integrity out of them as we went through the project." —Chief Financial Officer, G&T cooperative Background A G&T was interested in exploring the
- [Conducting a comparative capital investment analysis (Transmission Cost/Rate Competitiveness)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/conducting-a-comparative-capital-investment-analysis/) - "MCR’s database and analytics were critical for us, as we lacked these capabilities in-house. MCR was given a specific task: to perform an analysis of historical transmission levels in key RTOs and then present their results and policy recommendations in supporting testimony that we planned to include as part of our comments in a FERC
- [Developing transmission rate incentive filings at FERC for a joint action agency (FERC Filings)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/developing-transmission-rate-incentive-filings-at-ferc-for-a-joint-action-agency/) - “MCR is very good at explaining complex issues, which led to good, effective testimony … they were willing to take on challenges that I don’t think other consultants would be willing to do. Yet, they were able to help us stay disciplined and realistic about what strategies we should be willing to take on …
- [Providing cost of capital expert testimony for a joint action agency (FERC Filings)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/providing-cost-of-capital-expert-testimony-for-a-joint-action-agency/) - "MCR created an innovative analysis based on our historical debt service coverage that compared to a traditional IOU ROE analysis, which allowed us to make a reasonable filing at FERC that was ultimately accepted." —Transmission Planning Manager, joint action agency Background A joint action agency was joining an RTO and anticipated making a Section 205
- [Developing a Section 205 rate filing to change the formula rate template (FERC Filings)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/developing-a-section-205-rate-filing-to-change-the-formula-rate-template/) - "Their knowledge helped improve our collection of transmission costs through an adjustment to the tariff template, a strategy they developed and we were able to get implemented. It was a very helpful, innovative and unique solution to put us on a more even playing field with peer transmission owners." —Chief Financial Officer, joint action agency
- [Developing cost of capital expert testimony for joint action agency (FERC Filings)](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/client-stories/developing-cost-of-capital-expert-testimony-for-joint-action-agency/) - “MCR’s cost of capital testimony was content-rich, succinct, and effective.” —VP of Transmission, joint action agency Background A joint action agency formed a Transco in order to own transmission assets it had acquired from its members. As part of establishing the company, the Transco faced a number of contentious issues in its associated Section 205
- [Transmission Strategy](https://www.mcr-group.com/transmission/) - MCR does consulting work in various regional transmission organizations (“RTOs”), including MISO, SPP, PJM, CAISO and NYISO. Our clients—G&T cooperatives, municipals, joint action agencies, public power districts and independent transmission developers—have a goal of optimizing the value of their current and future investments in electric transmission. We help them realize the full revenue potential from
- [Application Information](https://www.mcr-group.com/careers/application-information/) - How to Apply For immediate consideration, please e-mail or mail your resume to: Carolyn Duffley MCR Performance Solutions, LLC 155 N. Pfingsten Road, Suite 155 Deerfield, IL 60015 Bus. Tele: (847) 562-0066 E-mail: cduffley@mcr-group.com An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
- [Helping Arizona Public Service Company implement MCR's Cost of Service Tool to achieve greater cost transparency](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/helping-aps-implement-mcrs-cost/) - "MCR was very responsive and very thorough. We're continuously impressed with how quickly they were able to implement the model; it was much shorter than other vendors' estimates. I think they did a tremendous job" —Jessica Hobbick, APS Manager of Rate Design & Revenue Requirements Background Arizona Public Service (APS) began their search for a
- [FRST Webinar](https://www.mcr-group.com/webinar/) - Join MCR experts as they discuss MCR's Financial Risk & Strategy Tool (FRST™), which is a Microsoft Excel-based application designed to handle critical utility planning needs. MCR is providing an online demonstration of FRST™ to review how our clients use the model to conduct long-range financial and rate forecasting. Sign up for the date/time that
- [Helping Duquesne Light Company train middle and high school students to become energy auditors who develop energy conservation measures in their own schools](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/helping-duquesne-light-company-train-middle-and-high-school-students-to-become-energy-auditors-who-develop-energy-conservation-measures-in-their-own-schools/) - “The Duquesne Light Community Energy Efficiency Education Program was created to inform students about how we get our power and how to be more conscious using it. We have touched upon these topics in class before, but this program provided students with a more in-depth look from the power company itself.” —High School Senior, Central Valley
- [Assisting Citizens Electric and Wellsboro Electric analyze their internal processes in preparation for customer choice in Pennsylvania for their customers](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/assisting-citizens-electric-and-wellsboro-electric-analyze-their-internal-processes-in-preparation-for-customer-choice-in-pennsylvania-for-their-customers/) - “MCR was always trying to understand our needs; they dovetailed into becoming a division of our company.” —Craig Eccher, President, Wellsboro Electric Company “Cindy [Menhorn] was an excellent witness; she came up with the questions and answers for the written testimony, and she was great during the cross-examination at the hearing.” —Pam Polacek, Attorney, McNees
- [Helping a large dual unit station achieve significant reductions in O&M costs](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/helping-a-large-dual-unit-station-achieve-significant-reductions-in-om-costs/) - "In just this year alone, the MCR project results have yielded $8.7 million (10%) in non-outage related savings that will be repeated year after year. Our goal is to achieve cost performance on par with the number one performer for plants our size. If we keep working on these initiatives, if we're not number one,
- [Assisting an investor owned utility provide reasonable rate options to its industrial customers](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/assisting-an-investor-owned-utility-provide-reasonable-rate-options-to-its-industrial-customers/) - Background A large electric utility had not filed a general rate case in more than 20 years. The industrial customers had been utilizing a real time pricing rate design and time of use tariff that had not changed in a number of years. In anticipation of a general rate case and a need to review
- [Helping Duquesne Light partner with key customers to achieve significant energy savings through retro-commissioning programs](https://www.mcr-group.com/energy-products-services/client-stories/helping-duquesne-light-partner-with-key-customers-to-achieve-significant-energy-savings-through-retro-commissioning-programs/) - "I have been involved in hundreds of projects; I'm totally impressed with MCR's ability to understand scope and bring things together; they really make life easy for me. I absolutely couldn't be any happier. UPMC could not be any happier." —Drew Chidester, Energy Manager, University of Pittsburgh Medical Centers Background Duquesne Light Company faced different
- [Improving long range planning processes and systems for the operator of a large nuclear fleet](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/improving-long-range-planning-processes-and-systems-for-the-operator-of-a-large-nuclear-fleet/) - "We have benefited greatly from MCR’s unique skill set. Their understanding of the business combined with knowledge of our processes and tools along with extensive IT expertise have proven invaluable. MCR’s vision and leadership have greatly contributed to the effectiveness of our planning process and continue to move us forward.” —Lead Engineer, Corporate Finance Background
- [Helping an investor owned utility develop strategies to address the opportunities and threats of distributed generation](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/helping-an-investor-owned-utility-develop-strategies-to-address-the-opportunities-and-threats-of-distributed-generation/) - “When we engaged with MCR, there was a fundamental process and fundamental deliverables, but they didn’t presume any answers. They facilitated brainstorming with the executives, which I thought was very useful. They had a broad comprehension of the many different things happening in the industry to be able to dig deeper into ideas that participants
- [Assisting an investor owned utility meet stipulation requirements for filing a future general rate case](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/assisting-an-investor-owned-utility-meet-stipulation-requirements-for-filing-a-future-general-rate-case/) - Background An investor owned utility in the Southwest needed to meet the requirements of a Stipulation resolving its last rate case before filing a future rate case. The Stipulation required the design of rates and cost allocation mechanisms for certain large commercial and industrial customers. Needing an outside expert to lead and facilitate the process,
- [Determining and managing long-term costs and reliability with life cycle management plans for a nuclear operation in the south](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/determining-and-managing-long-term-costs-and-reliability-with-life-cycle-management-plans-for-a-nuclear-operation-in-the-south/) - Background A large utility in the south operates a fleet of three nuclear plants that were facing uncertain future investment requirements. The company’s management was challenged by the organization’s limitations in planning for major projects beyond a one-year horizon. Knowing that they were facing long-term maintenance, reliability and cost issues, a more comprehensive approach using
- [Optimizing capital spending for a large nuclear fleet](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/optimizing-capital-spending-for-a-large-nuclear-fleet/) - “Over the past seven years, we have formalized a process around using the MCR project evaluation methodology and tools, and have applied it to our entire fleet.” —Manager, Project Evaluation Background A large utility in the south had a strategic objective of becoming the best managed nuclear fleet in the nation as measured by its ability
- [Integrating capitalization policies and units of property for a nuclear fleet merger](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/integrating-capitalization-policies-and-units-of-property-for-a-nuclear-fleet-merger/) - “The new unit of property catalogues are used daily by our accountants and engineers. The catalogues are better organized, more user friendly and are written in a language that field personnel can understand. MCR took out the confusion and created a logical, well thought out system." —Director, Accounting Background Upon completing its merger with another
- [Helping a natural gas utility in the Southeast achieve its rate adjustment goals and prepare its staff for work on future proceedings](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/helping-a-natural-gas-utility-in-the-southeast-achieve-its-rate-adjustment-goals-and-prepare-its-staff-for-work-on-future-proceedings/) - Background A natural gas utility in the Southeast provides natural gas distribution services to more than one million residential and business customers in a three-state territory. Facing a revenue shortfall in one of its utilities, the company was considering a state regulatory proceeding to adjust its rates and other terms of service. The utility’s regulatory
- [Supporting Duquesne Light Company to design, file and implement energy efficiency programs to meet its Pennsylvania Act 129 obligations](https://www.mcr-group.com/regulatory/client-stories/supporting-duquesne-light-company-to-design-file-and-implement-energy-efficiency-programs-to-meet-its-pennsylvania-act-129-obligations/) - “MCR’s assistance helped us design and receive PA PUC approval to run a portfolio of programs that achieved one of the State’s lowest acquisition rates ($0.12/annual kWh) and highest cost-effectiveness (portfolio TRC test ratio 3.1:1). This is remarkable given that we have Pennsylvania’s lowest avoided cost.” —Dave Defide, Manager of Customer Programs Background Signed into
- [Financial processes and systems: Custom power billing for Buckeye Power](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/financial-processes-and-systems-custom-power-billing-for-buckeye-power/) - “We thought our problem was unsolvable. MCR showed us a methodical approach to our problem. They showed us that not only could our problem be solved, but that a tool could be developed to address our problem. We were impressed from the beginning." —Jim Palmisano, Chief Accounting Officer Background Buckeye Power, Inc. is a generation
- [Financial processes and systems: Integrating capitalization policies and units of property for a large utility merger](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/financial-processes-and-systems-integrating-capitalization-policies-and-units-of-property-for-a-large-utility-merger/) - “The new unit of property catalogues are used daily by our accountants and engineers. The catalogues are better organized, more user friendly and are written in a language that field personnel can understand. MCR took out the confusion and created a logical, well thought out system.” —Director of Accounting Background Upon completing its merger with
- [Enabling a G&T utility to save millions and maintain its credit rating with an optimal environmental capital plan for its large coal units](https://www.mcr-group.com/financial/client-stories/enabling-a-gt-utility-to-save-millions-and-maintain-its-credit-rating-with-an-optimal-environmental-capital-plan-for-its-large-coal-units/) - Background A generation and transmission cooperative (G&T) in the Midwest faced declining liquidity and deteriorating financial ratios, which put their credit rating at risk. The problem was compounded by the need for large capital expenditures to address NOx, SO2 and mercury compliance for its fleet of coal units to meet the Clean Air Transport Rule/Cross State
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- [Client Stories](https://www.mcr-group.com/nuclear/client-stories/)

## Downloads

- [No Time To Waste In Filing For Transmission Rate Incentives](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/no-time-to-waste-in-filing-for-transmission-rate-incentives/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download Transmission Investment Analysis Insight](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/transmission-investment-analysis/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the Cost of Service point of view](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-cost-of-service-point-of-view/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Benefical Electrification Insight](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/benefical-electrification-insight/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [COST™ brochure](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/cost-brochure/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download FERC Filing Brochure](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-ferc-filing-brochure/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the G&T business cases white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-gt-business-cases-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the FRST<sup>TM</sup> brochure for IOUs](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-frsttm-brochure-for-ious/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the FRST<sup>TM</sup> brochure for distribution cooperatives](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-frsttm-brochure-for-distribution-cooperatives/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the FRST<sup>TM</sup> brochure for G&T cooperatives](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-frsttm-brochure-for-gt-cooperatives/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the FRST<sup>TM</sup> brochure for municipals](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-frsttm-brochure-for-municipals/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Duquesne Light Company client story](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/duquesne-light-company-client-story/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the IPL client story](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-ipl-client-story/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the Debt Management System brochure](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-debt-management-system-brochure-2/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the MCR Point of View](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-mcr-point-of-view/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the debt management system brochure](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-debt-management-system-brochure/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the capitalization policy and UoP case study](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-capitalization-policy-and-uop-case-study/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the capital spending white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-capital-spending-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the "Is your EV strategy ready – yet?" paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-is-your-ev-strategy-ready-yet-paper-2/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the paper on life after lighting](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-paper-on-life-after-lighting/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the news alert to read implications of the NPSM for DER for utility regulation and corporate strategy](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-news-alert-to-read-implications-of-the-npsm-for-der-for-utility-regulation-and-corporate-strategy/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the MCR thought piece](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-mcr-thought-piece/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the thought piece on running energy efficiency as a business](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-thought-piece-on-running-energy-efficiency-as-a-business/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the Duquesne Light Company EM&V case study](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-duquesne-light-company-emv-case-study/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the EE business management systems white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-ee-business-management-systems-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the "Is your EV strategy ready – yet?" paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-is-your-ev-strategy-ready-yet-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Cost of Service Options for Utilities](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/cost-of-service-options-for-utilities/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the ARM paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-arm-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [IT support requirements for COST™](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/it-support-requirements-for-cost/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the witness effectiveness course brochure](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-witness-effectiveness-course-brochure/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the contemporary ratemaking course brochure](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-contemporary-ratemaking-course-brochure/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Read Strategic Business Planning for Transmission Owners](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/read-strategic-business-planning-for-transmission-owners/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Read the Transmission Hot Topic](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/read-the-transmission-hot-topic/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Read the details in our paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/read-the-details-in-our-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Read the details in our Infrastructure Act paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/read-the-details-in-our-infrastructure-act-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the MISO Transmission Rates white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-miso-transmission-rates-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the Battery Storage white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-battery-storage-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the MCR Transmission Services Brochure](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-mcr-transmission-services-brochure/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Cost and Rate Competitiveness Services brochure](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/cost-and-rate-competitiveness-services-brochure/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the Threats to Transmission Business white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-threats-to-transmission-business-white-paper-2/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download MISO’s New Criteria for Market Efficiency Projects white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-misos-new-criteria-for-market-efficiency-projects-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the MISO Transmission Ownership Evaluation white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-miso-transmission-ownership-evaluation-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the Public Power and G&T Utility Transmission Investing white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-public-power-and-gt-utility-transmission-investing-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the Running Transmission as a Business white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-running-transmission-as-a-business-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the Transmission Arms Race white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-transmission-arms-race-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the SPP Transmission Investment white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-spp-transmission-investment-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the PJM Transmission Investment white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-pjm-transmission-investment-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the MISO Investment white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-miso-investment-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the Threats to Transmission Business white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-threats-to-transmission-business-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the Incumbent Review brochure](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-incumbent-review-brochure/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the tax law point of view](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-tax-law-point-of-view/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Click here for SPP](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/click-here-for-spp/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Click here for MISO](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/click-here-for-miso/?tmstv=1788560417)
- [Download the MISO cost allocation white paper](https://www.mcr-group.com/download/download-the-miso-cost-allocation-white-paper/?tmstv=1788560417)

## Categories

- [Nuclear Team](https://www.mcr-group.com/category/mcr-team/nuclear-team/)
- [Transmission Team](https://www.mcr-group.com/category/mcr-team/transmission-team/)
- [Regulatory Services Team](https://www.mcr-group.com/category/mcr-team/regulatory-services-team/)
- [Financial Advisory Team](https://www.mcr-group.com/category/mcr-team/financial-team/)
- [Energy Efficiency Team](https://www.mcr-group.com/category/mcr-team/energy-team/)
- [Utility Team](https://www.mcr-group.com/category/mcr-team/utility-team/)
- [MCR Team](https://www.mcr-group.com/category/mcr-team/)
- [Utility Transformation](https://www.mcr-group.com/category/utility-transformation/)
- [Strategic and Financial Advisory Team](https://www.mcr-group.com/category/mcr-team/strategic-financial-advisory/)
- [Utility Cost Management](https://www.mcr-group.com/category/mcr-team/utility-cost-management/)