This program provides utility and service company employees with a broad understanding of how the gas utility industry works and a better awareness of their own roles within their organizations. Topics include (1) Extraction + Pipelines, (2) Distribution Operations, (3) How Utilities Make Money, (4) Customers + Usage, (5) Regulations, Codes, and Safety, and (6) Emerging Issues. The class is delivered virtually over two half-days and in a one-day format at the WEI office in Portland, Oregon. WEI member companies may also host a customized on-line or in-person course exclusively for their own employees to provide a unique, individualized training experience. Contact WEI for more information.
Wondering if this course is right for you or your staff…
If the answer is yes to any of these, this course was designed for you.
Member: $399 USD
Regular: $599 USD
Registration prices increase by $100 after November 5, 2021. Registration includes course binder mailed directly to participant upon request, two half-day interactive course over the web.
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
GoToWebinar Open for Participants
The GoToWebinar will open at 8:30 AM in the morning. Please join early as we will start the class promptly at 9:00 AM.
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Participant Introductions and Roundtable
Facilitator(s): Karen Himes, Program Manager + Member Engagement Specialist, Western Energy Institute
Students share their utility industry background and what they hope to learn throughout the day. Please be prepared to share at least one thing you hope to gain from taking this class.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Module 1: Extraction + Pipelines
Speaker(s): Dave Williams, Vice President Retired, NW Natural, David Williams - Instructor
– History of natural gas
– Key terms and definitions
– Natural gas sources and production
– Transmission and distribution infrastructure
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Module 2: Distribution Operations
Speaker(s): Vaughn Shosted, Instructor, Gas Utility Fundamentals + Insights, Vaughn Shosted - Instructor
– Essentials of gas operations
– System planning
– Resource management
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Break for Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Module 3: How Utilities Make Money
Speaker(s): Eric Christenson, Director of Program Curriculum + Analytics, Western Energy Institute
– Types of utilities
– Regulatory bodies
– Financial terms and definitions
– How companies set rates
– Rate-making exercise
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
GoToWebinar Open for Participants
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Day 1 Review
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Module 4: Customers + Usage
Speaker(s): Joyce Wagenaar, Principal, Joyce Wagenaar Consulting Ltd.
– Consumption
– Gas supply and planning
– Factors that drive natural gas demand
– LNG and CNG
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Break
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Module 5: Regulation, Codes, and Safety
Speaker(s): Vaughn Shosted, Instructor, Gas Utility Fundamentals + Insights, Vaughn Shosted - Instructor
– Federal and state regulations
– Safety incidents
– Integrity management programs
– Public safety messaging
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Module 6: Emerging Issues
Panelist(s): Dave Williams, Vice President Retired, NW Natural, David Williams - Instructor, Vaughn Shosted, Instructor, Gas Utility Fundamentals + Insights, Vaughn Shosted - Instructor, Joyce Wagenaar, Principal, Joyce Wagenaar Consulting Ltd., Eric Christenson, Director of Program Curriculum + Analytics, Western Energy Institute
– Infrastructure replacement
– Renewable gas
– Opportunities to grow demand
– Electrification + exports
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Q&A and Wrap-Up
We circle back to the original expectations of students to ensure that expectations were met.