NARUC Professional Development
Track: Gas
October 20, 21, 22, 2026, 2-4 PM Eastern, Live online
Overview
Fundamentals of Natural Gas and Regulation provides an introduction to natural gas utility operations and regulation in the United States. This course follows the natural gas industry from production to end use. It focuses on the way in which natural gas is produced and delivered, pipeline safety and security, decarbonized resources, energy efficiency programs, and state and federal regulation. Students will learn the basics of natural gas utility regulation, including alternative regulation plans and will gain an understanding of new and innovative resources like hydrogen and renewable natural gas.
NARUC State, Associate, and Federal Members: $265
Other State, Federal Government, and International Agencies / NASUCA Members / Academia: $465
All Others: $665
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Focus: Understanding how natural gas is produced, transported, stored, and physically brought to market.
Focus: Navigating the commercial realities, market rules, and legal frameworks that govern natural gas transactions and pricing.
Focus: Compliance, operations management, and adapting the natural gas sector to a decarbonizing economy.
Juan Alvarado, Managing Director, Energy Analysis, American Gas Association
Mr. Alvarado provides economic analysis on the gas industry, focusing on affordability, efficiency, regulatory, and policy matters. Before joining the AGA, Juan was the Director of the Telecommunications, Gas, and Water Division and the Director of Economic Analysis at the Maryland Public Service Commission. In those roles, Juan and his team advised the Commission on revenue requirements, cost of capital, cost of service, rate design, economics and telecom, gas, and water industry policy and developments. Juan holds a B.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Finance from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.A. in Industrial Economics from Universidad Carlos III in Madrid, Spain. Additionally, Juan is a Certified Rate of Return Analyst through the Society of Utility Regulatory Financial Analysts (“SURFA”).
Karl A. McDermott, PhD, Ameren Distinguished Professor of Business and Government, University of Illinois, Springfield; Special Consultant to National Economic Research Associates, Inc. (NERA)
Dr. McDermott has been working in the field of public utility regulation for thirty years with experience in nearly every facet of the regulation of public utilities. From 1999 through March 2008, he was a Vice President at NERA in its Chicago office. Prior to joining NERA Dr. McDermott served as a Commissioner on the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
Marc Stubel, Manager, System Integrity, Elizabethtown Gas (NJ)
Mr. Stubel has more than 15 years of experience in utility operations, regulatory compliance, pipeline integrity and asset management. In his current role, he leads the company's Distribution and Transmission Integrity Management Programs and oversees Corrosion Control. Marc has previously held a variety of leadership and technical positions with responsibility for key operational functions, including Damage Prevention, Leak Survey, Regulatory Compliance, Public Awareness, and Quality Assurance. Prior to joining Elizabethtown Gas, Marc served as a Utility Engineer with the New York State Department of Public Service, where he conducted operations, maintenance, and construction audits of utility companies and pipeline operators. Marc holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Lehigh University.