committee resources
The Subcommittee on Education and Research has responsibility for the oversight of NARUC’s educational and research programs. Members are appointed from each region across the United States to accurately represent and effectively support states across the nation. As one of its tasks, the Subcommittee establishes appropriate standards and policies to govern the operation of any educational, training or research programs supported by NARUC. Within its duties, SER promotes and endorses a variety of training opportunities, connects new members with peer ambassadors, and distributes information about educational forums for members. SER provides many educational opportunities and resources for members including:
NARUC offers limited promotional support and targeted endorsements of educational programming relevant and likely to be helpful to NARUC members, following an application and review process administered by the SER. Review the NARUC SER Guidelines and Application if your organization is interested in becoming a partner.
NARUC holds three membership-wide meetings each year, where members gather to set policy, share best practices, and discuss crucial industry issues. Find dates and locations through 2025.
Free virtual and in-person events and training sessions hosted by NARUC’s technical assistance department on complex current and emerging regulatory issues, designed for commissioners and commission staff.
Events and training opportunities hosted by NARUC partners.
Center for Partnerships and Innovation - The NARUC Center for Partnerships & Innovation (CPI) builds relationships, develops resources, and delivers training to assist state commissioners and commission staff contending with complex current and emerging issues. All CPI training and resources are free to members. NARUC CPI conducts work across five key energy areas and many topics within each: generation; transmission; distribution; customers; and critical infrastructure preparedness, response, and resilience.
NARUC Rate School, Bi-Annually Held in May and October - The NARUC Rate School evolved from the theory that many individuals learn better by performing tasks rather than listening to lectures. By actually working on a mock rate case, after detailed learning and discussions on a host of issues, the founders believed a more efficient learning environment would result. From the beginning, the philosophy of the schools has been that participants in the rate/regulatory process would get more benefit from differing perspectives on accounting, engineering, legal, and governmental actions, as well as from consumer advocates, commission staffs, and utility company employees. There are otherwise limited opportunities to obtain these diverse perspectives.
CPI Publications to find NARUC resources created to support state commissions.
Resource Library to search for additional NARUC resources.
NARUC’s Desk Reference Manual an overview of regulatory processes and issues addressing industries state commissions regulate.
International Programs’ Foundational Publications list of resources for fundamental information on important energy regulatory topics.
Find it Fast page to quickly find useful resources.
The NARUC Ambassador Program was established to help NARUC members feel welcome, enhance their knowledge about NARUC, help navigate opportunities to be involved in NARUC, and provide a resource for questions as they begin their terms as commissioners. Learn more and find next steps on the Ambassador Program page.
The NARUC New Commissioner Handbook provides commissioners with an outline of all the different ways NARUC is available to assist and support them in their work. These opportunities include networking with other Commissioners, state advocacy before the federal government, research and education on important regulatory topics, resources to help enhance Commissioner understanding of emerging issues, and the different NARUC communications outlets available to keep Commissioners well informed and up to date on NARUC industry happenings.
Under the auspices of the Subcommittee on Education and Research, NARUC offers a 2-day training seminar for new commissioners each spring. The seminar offers a short introduction to regulation, examining key concepts in the electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications sectors. Current commissioners from NARUC’s leadership are instructors. The program also provides tips for regulators on commission management, state vs. federal jurisdictions and responsibilities, and NARUC resources (e.g., meetings, committee membership, and technical training). An invitation to register will be sent in advance of each orientation.
At each of the three NARUC conferences per year, there is an opportunity for new commissioners to learn more about this unique 134-year-old Association, how it is structured, how it works, how to get involved, and meet NARUC leaders. Watch for an invitation after registering for the conference and check the agenda for time and location details.
Commission Staff Scholarships - The Subcommittee on Education and Research is pleased to administer scholarship opportunities to support member attendance at NARUC-endorsed training courses. These opportunities are available for U.S. state-level commission staff. Each opportunity specifies their eligibility criteria and courses covered. In addition, eligibility for all scholarships is limited to Commission staff who have been employed for five (5) years or less in their current position and whose job duties are related to the content of the course to be attended. Individuals who have previously received a scholarship from any of these programs are not eligible for future scholarships.
If your organization offers training relevant to utility commissions and would like to be a NARUC educational partner, please review and complete the Guidelines and Application. The Subcommittee on Education and Research will consider applications for support at its meetings during the NARUC Winter Policy Summit, Summer Policy Summit, and Annual Meeting or monthly virtual meetings.
Subcommittee on Education and Research
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
CPI Programs
Senior Director, NARUC Center for Partnerships and Innovation
Rate School and NARUC Meetings
Senior Director, Meetings and Member Services
RTI
Senior Manager, Policy & Director, Regulatory Training Initiative