Specifications include, but are not limited to: The State of Maine is seeking proposals for a consultant to assist the Office of the Public Advocate (Office) in proceedings before the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC), primarily two types of cases: (1) PUC approval of periodic “cost of gas adjustment” cases where the four Maine natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs) pass on their supply costs to those customers for whom they provide supply; and (2) PUC approval of the LDCs entering into long term firm transportation contracts. Other possible proceedings would be PUC proceedings regarding gas policy or rulemakings regarding gas supply issues, as well as Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) cases that are related to natural gas utilities and natural gas policy. The contractor will be responsible for analyzing all pertinent data and presenting overall recommendations on the following issues: 1. General gas utility operations and customer classes. 2. Gas trading and hedging activity. 3. Gas utility applications for cost of gas rates. 4. Annual review of the prudence of utility gas procurement activities. 5. Integrated resource planning for gas supply and transportation. 6. Gas supply and transmission options available to Maine utilities and customers. 7. Gas utility tariff terms and conditions for both firm sales and transportation customers. 8. Gas marketer operations. 9. Gas pipeline transportation contracting, in both the U.S. and Canada. 10. Federal/national gas pipeline regulation in both the U.S. and Canada.
