Performance Based Regulation in North Carolina

Carolina Utility Customers Association
Project Completed December 2021

In response to legislation, the North Carolina Utilities Commission initiated proceedings regarding the implementation of performance-based regulation (PBR). On behalf of the Carolina Utility Customers Association, Synapse developed initial and reply reports to inform the rulemaking process. Our reports focused on customer protections necessary to ensure that PBR in North Carolina serves the public interest. Our recommendations highlight the need for greater transparency in utility planning and capital investment forecasts, establishing benchmarks and robust reporting for utility costs, and returning any under-spend to ratepayers to ensure that the utilities do not profit by overstating their cost forecasts.