Public Service Commission Regulatory Economist I (#21-000592-0002)
Regulatory Economists perform economic and regulatory analyses, prepare testimony, conduct policy analyses, and undertake projects and studies for the Commission’s consideration to determine prices for electricity and related energy services. A Regulatory Economist works with a team of accountants, engineers, and attorneys to determine the recommended prices, policies or contract terms that an electric company will charge its customers for electric power. Regulatory Economists are expected to develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of Maryland’s electric utility sector, including financial and economic principles, regulatory and industry practices, business operations, legal environment, and customer behavior.
The primary duty of this position is to develop expert testimony as well as analytical and policy support to the Commission, directly or through the support of other division employees, in several areas including: electric power prices, energy markets and energy competition, renewable and distributed energy systems, the development of competitive energy markets, barriers to electric market competition and complaints of anti-competitive activities. Employees will testify as expert witnesses, make presentations, prepare written reports or otherwise communicate the results of their analysis in both informal and contested situations. A Regulatory Economist may also represent the Electricity Division as a member of a working group tasked with developing rules, reports, agreements, or other tasks which support Maryland’s energy markets. Strong writing and verbal communication skills are needed to perform the duties of this position.
Duties will include analysis of electric power prices, regulations or other topics as needed. A Regulatory Economist will prepare written reports, make presentations, testify on technical issues or otherwise communicate the results of their analysis in both informal and contested proceedings. Primary duties for this position include analyzing utility rate applications and functioning as an expert witness on regulatory, economic, financial and other technical topics in proceedings before the Maryland Public Service Commission. In addition to the previously described traditional regulatory issues, a Regulatory Economist may have the opportunity to participate in proceedings or working groups involving new areas where the Commission has authority to regulate rates or implement legislative energy policies. These areas may include electric vehicle programs, energy storage programs, solar energy / net metering programs, time-varying rates, and Maryland's utility supplier diversity program. Electricity Division employees often research new technologies like photovoltaic solar power or battery storage that influence how electricity is provided to Maryland utility customers.
A Regulatory Economist will need to develop a firm knowledge of power industry issues, legal, financial, and economic theory, and Maryland specific utility practices. The ability to perform self-directed research of economic, engineering, financial, and legal topics is critical to the position.
The position requires significant daily written work products of high technical quality. A successful candidate must have excellent written and verbal communication/presentation skills.
Salary - See external link for salary range - $47,881.00 - $76,432.00/year