Regulated Utility Expert Consultant

**Please follow the instructions below to apply. Applications received only via LinkedIn will not be considered.**

About 5 Lakes Energy

5 Lakes Energy is a small, well-respected firm with broad expertise and a range of practice areas focused on research, analysis, and advocacy related to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on behalf of environmental advocates, government agencies, and advanced energy companies and organizations. We are a team of experts and analysts with backgrounds in economics, planning, business, engineering, law, and public policy. Through policy analysis and development, regulatory intervention, and applied economic theory, 5 Lakes Energy shapes renewable energy and environmental policy in the Great Lakes region.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In alignment with our firm’s mission to advance an equitable, just transition to a low-carbon economy, 5 Lakes Energy is an inclusive, equal-opportunity employer and is actively seeking candidates of diverse backgrounds and identities.

The Opportunity

5 Lakes Energy is hiring an expert consultant to help advance clean energy policy in the Midwest as a member of our Regulatory Economics team. Core responsibility will be to provide expert analysis and testimony in the areas of regulated utility revenue requirements and cost-of-service. These analyses and testimonies will serve to establish a position on overall revenue requirements and cost allocation in rate cases, as well as the use of clean energy technologies, such as distributed generation, energy storage, heat pumps, and electric vehicles. An understanding of electric distribution systems is preferred. The expert consultant will participate in other public service commission proceedings, including other contested and ex parte cases, technical workshops, collaboratives, and policy making processes. The expert consultant will also support consulting and research engagements on behalf of public interest clients.

Applicants should be collaborative forward-thinkers who are passionate about advancing clean energy and an equitable transition to a low-carbon economy. This role will be fully remote. Occasional travel may be required. The expert consultant will report to the Regulatory Economics team’s Lead Consultant. Depending on experience, the expert consultant will be classified as either a Consultant or Senior Consultant. 

Responsibilities

The Expert Consultant will work with minimal supervision and is expected to regularly represent 5 Lakes Energy and its clients in online and in-person settings. The primary responsibilities include: 

• Preparation of analysis and expert witness testimony in regulatory proceedings, such as integrated resource planning proceedings or rate cases, with a focus on electric utility revenue requirements and cost-of-service, and electric distribution system capital and operating expenditures. Topically, our testimony usually focuses on residential rates, energy equity, and the accessibility, adoption, and use of clean energy technologies, such as distributed generation, energy storage, heat pumps, and electric vehicles. 
• Performing analytical modeling tasks to calculate social, economic, and environmental impacts of policies in the energy sector 
• Representing 5 Lakes Energy and its clients in stakeholder engagement activities in regulatory, legislative, and local government forums 

The ideal candidate will possess excellent analytical and communication skills, and be highly adaptable to work on projects in the following areas:

• Determination of rate case revenue requirements and cost allocation (with other witnesses addressing cost of capital and specific changes in expenditures) 
• Innovative utility cost-of-service and related analysis of rate design compared to cost of service. 
• Analysis of prudence and effectiveness of electric distribution system capital and operating expenditures, especially focused on reliability, resilience, and equity. 
• Cost allocation of program expenditures and long-term effects on revenue requirements and rates related to 
• Transportation electrification 
• Building electrification 
• Energy efficiency and demand response 
• Behind-the-meter/distributed energy resource compensation 
• Energy storage resources 

Minimum Requirements 

• Background in economics, law, public policy, engineering, or related discipline 
• Understanding of climate science, policy, technology, regulation, and equitable energy transition issues. 
• Ability to communicate technical economic, regulatory, and financial concepts clearly and persuasively to experts, non-experts, advocates, and policymakers. 
• Ability to work with light supervision in a remote office setting. 
• Excellent organizational and time management skills 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel 
• Excellent quantitative, analytical, and statistical skills 
• Must be located and authorized to work in the United States 

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in the energy sector including, but not limited to, utility accounting, revenue requirements analysis and cost-of-service analysis. 
• Prior regulatory or consulting experience and established relationships in the energy sector, with an emphasis on electric distribution systems. 
• Experience preparing expert witness testimony in contested utility regulatory proceedings, preparation of comments in ex parte proceedings and participation in regulatory workshops, collaboratives, and committees. 
• Professional experience or familiarity with energy/public utility regulation, clean energy technologies, decarbonization strategies and climate policy 
• Knowledge of energy- and climate-related federal and state data sources/analytical tools 

Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary with generous benefits including flexible work hours; health and dental coverage; paid holidays, personal time off, parental leave and community service time; retirement contribution matching, professional development, and monthly home office, cell phone, and internet stipends. Salary ranges from $80,000 to $115,000. 

Location 

5 Lakes Energy is a fully remote workplace. Most of our team is based in Michigan and the Midwest, but candidates from all locations are welcome to apply. However, we operate on Eastern time. We maintain no primary office, but attending occasional in-person events and other travel will be required. 

How to Apply 

Please submit the following materials to jgibbons@5lakesenergy.com

• Cover letter to the attention of Julielyn Gibbons, describing your relevant qualifications and the reason for your interest in 5 Lakes Energy and its mission 
• Resume 

Writing samples and references will be requested from candidates who advance beyond initial evaluation. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

5 Lakes Energy is an equal-opportunity employer. 5 Lakes Energy does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, or unfavorable discharge from military service.